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zefrog's reviews
1018 reviews
Désorientale by Négar Djavadi
3.0
Kimiâ, the heroine, like the author, comes from an oral culture, and this shows very much in the writing and the structure of this book.
There is in fact very little structure. The narrative keeps jumping back and forth between timeframes and this can be a little confusing at time, particularly due to the fairly big cast of characters (some of them only appearing sporadically) and the seemingly repetitive nature of Iranian history. There are a few plot twists or surprises but they are generally fairly heavily sign-posted long in advance.
It is perhaps the prominent presence of historical events as well as the chatty and informal style that makes the book feel so much like a memoir, rather than the novel we are told it is. The overall story line certainly seems to follow that of Djavadi's own life story. Reading this, I felt I learned a lot about Iran and the involvement of Western powers in the ruination of the country. Somehow however I didn't really engage with the characters emotionally, perhaps because of that memoir-like detachment.
On the whole I'm pleased I read this book mostly for the historical background it provides on the ongoing Middle-East crisis, but I do wish it was shorter.
(I read it in the original French)
There is in fact very little structure. The narrative keeps jumping back and forth between timeframes and this can be a little confusing at time, particularly due to the fairly big cast of characters (some of them only appearing sporadically) and the seemingly repetitive nature of Iranian history. There are a few plot twists or surprises but they are generally fairly heavily sign-posted long in advance.
It is perhaps the prominent presence of historical events as well as the chatty and informal style that makes the book feel so much like a memoir, rather than the novel we are told it is. The overall story line certainly seems to follow that of Djavadi's own life story. Reading this, I felt I learned a lot about Iran and the involvement of Western powers in the ruination of the country. Somehow however I didn't really engage with the characters emotionally, perhaps because of that memoir-like detachment.
On the whole I'm pleased I read this book mostly for the historical background it provides on the ongoing Middle-East crisis, but I do wish it was shorter.
(I read it in the original French)
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
2.0
Easy enough to read but not my cup of tea. Slightly too long too.
Reality, Reality by Jackie Kay
2.0
A collection of mostly internal monologues, all very low key and subdued, with little in the way of storylines.
Most of the voices are seldom heard in books but I found it difficult to muster much interest.
Most of the voices are seldom heard in books but I found it difficult to muster much interest.
Color Of Trees by Canaan Parker
4.0
A lovely and utterly engrossing coming of age story that works nicely as a companion piece to [b:Getting Off Clean|632865|Getting Off Clean|Timothy Murphy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312020858s/632865.jpg|619162], which I read recently.
This is far from a perfect. There are many holes in the book's internal logic and the relationships are sometimes presented in a confusing way (a character that's barely been mentioned is suddenly described as the narrator's best friend, and such). The time line seems a little mangled too (fifteen year olds don't drive cars!)
The writing is good however and the book explore themes of race and sexuality from a point of view usually ignored. It's not really a coming out story as the characters don't seem to experience any of internal conflicts usually associated with coming to terms with one's alternative sexuality. What should be considered homophobia in the book is also not very convincing. It feels more like a general disapproval of sexual activity.
Still the characters are engaging and I very much enjoyed the read.
This is far from a perfect. There are many holes in the book's internal logic and the relationships are sometimes presented in a confusing way (a character that's barely been mentioned is suddenly described as the narrator's best friend, and such). The time line seems a little mangled too (fifteen year olds don't drive cars!)
The writing is good however and the book explore themes of race and sexuality from a point of view usually ignored. It's not really a coming out story as the characters don't seem to experience any of internal conflicts usually associated with coming to terms with one's alternative sexuality. What should be considered homophobia in the book is also not very convincing. It feels more like a general disapproval of sexual activity.
Still the characters are engaging and I very much enjoyed the read.