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flobi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
vickyrosem123's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thelaurasaurus's review against another edition
3.0
It was very interesting to read about the Bangladesh Liberation War, which I knew absolutely nothing about. I didn't find the characters particularly well rounded, but the descriptions of Bangladesh were lovely. The ending was a bit strange, but I've just discovered it's the first of a trilogy, so maybe the loose ends will be cleared up in later books (which I'm keen to read).
jdsatori's review against another edition
4.0
a great story about the outer limits of a mother's strength & love during the war for Bangladesh's independence. historically accurate. not a minute of fake sentimentalism. very nice!
gemma7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A novel about family, relationships, persistence, loyalty, and nationalism during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
The author did a really good job of creating these characters that felt like real people, I could almost believe they existed. I was intrigued by Sohail and his actions and relationships with people the most, in some ways I wish they were explored further.
The ending was a bit too fast, this is perhaps because it ends just before a historical moment in Bangladesh history so it feels a little unfinished. If it was going to end there, an epilogue would have given more context to these events. I enjoyed the story and there were some heartfelt and tense moments that kept me connected enough to enjoy it.
The author did a really good job of creating these characters that felt like real people, I could almost believe they existed. I was intrigued by Sohail and his actions and relationships with people the most, in some ways I wish they were explored further.
The ending was a bit too fast, this is perhaps because it ends just before a historical moment in Bangladesh history so it feels a little unfinished. If it was going to end there, an epilogue would have given more context to these events. I enjoyed the story and there were some heartfelt and tense moments that kept me connected enough to enjoy it.
thanzeela's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It was a great book to read; beautifully written and on a topic that needs to be spoken about more. The author writes in a way that lets you make your own judgments and reasonings on the characters and their actions. The only reason I didn’t give it 5/5 is because I would have loved to delve more into why Rehana’s relationship with her son and her daughter are so different. Overall, this book was a really good read and will stick with me for a long time!
zarrazine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
4.0
Here are my thoughts in no specific order:
1) What a deceptively clever book, masquerading as a simple story - a war as told by a mother. The book is very readable and evocative and I got lulled into mistaking this book for simple, until the final sentence smacked me in the face and highlighted themes and echoes I had clearly missed.
2) This book made me so hungry, the food sounded so delicious.
3) I really don't know how I feel about Rehana. She's got this drive to do anything to keep her kids safe, but her frayed relationship with Maya makes you wonder what the cost was. I wish this relationship had been better explored so I could better understand why she valued Sohail more highly, besides the obvious.
4) I am devastated that nobody slapped Mrs Chowdhury. She was the actual worst, the agent of so many awful situations in this book (I'm even going to blame her for a creepy blind man getting robbed because she was the engineer of that grim situation in the first place). The Silvi plot thread was disturbing and topical in our current climate, and I felt like more could have been explored here.
5) I am very ignorant of much Asian history, thanks to a British education that focuses on Britain and not much else. I want to learn more about why on earth Pakistan got to claim territory so far away from its own borders, and more about the war I'm so clueless about beyond this book.
6) The significance of the title has gone over my head. Curious to see what the rest of book club think.
7) I am sad that the Major had to nobly sacrifice himself, I was hoping for a happier resolution.
A very engaging and thought-provoking read, I'm looking forward to discussing it with the rest of book club.
1) What a deceptively clever book, masquerading as a simple story - a war as told by a mother. The book is very readable and evocative and I got lulled into mistaking this book for simple, until the final sentence smacked me in the face and highlighted themes and echoes I had clearly missed.
2) This book made me so hungry, the food sounded so delicious.
3) I really don't know how I feel about Rehana. She's got this drive to do anything to keep her kids safe, but her frayed relationship with Maya makes you wonder what the cost was. I wish this relationship had been better explored so I could better understand why she valued Sohail more highly, besides the obvious.
4) I am devastated that nobody slapped Mrs Chowdhury. She was the actual worst, the agent of so many awful situations in this book (I'm even going to blame her for a creepy blind man getting robbed because she was the engineer of that grim situation in the first place). The Silvi plot thread was disturbing and topical in our current climate, and I felt like more could have been explored here.
5) I am very ignorant of much Asian history, thanks to a British education that focuses on Britain and not much else. I want to learn more about why on earth Pakistan got to claim territory so far away from its own borders, and more about the war I'm so clueless about beyond this book.
6) The significance of the title has gone over my head. Curious to see what the rest of book club think.
7) I am sad that the Major had to nobly sacrifice himself, I was hoping for a happier resolution.
A very engaging and thought-provoking read, I'm looking forward to discussing it with the rest of book club.