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A review by archytas
The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a beautifully written, immersive novel, which weaves stories across generations to explore queer and trans lives, the Syrian migrant experience, and the ways which birds (nature would read better in this sentence, but frankly we are talking about birds) can connect us to something ineffable.
Joukhader is at the top of his form here, with a complicated structure which reads effortlessly, and several distinct, compelling voices. He also manages to show the difficulties that queer people find in reaching joy, while celebrating the pathways to it that are nevertheless created. In other words, there are tragic elements here, but this is no tragedy: a good read when you need something with a good dose of hope at the end.
Joukhader is at the top of his form here, with a complicated structure which reads effortlessly, and several distinct, compelling voices. He also manages to show the difficulties that queer people find in reaching joy, while celebrating the pathways to it that are nevertheless created. In other words, there are tragic elements here, but this is no tragedy: a good read when you need something with a good dose of hope at the end.