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antarktiida's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
luciagizzi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I got this book from the library, my tears were just some of many on the final pages.
duchess's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. It's difficult to rate my feelings about this book (which is just slightly over novella size). It's a dark read of a middle-aged Iranian woman in Sweden who has been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, and she is bitter.
It's understandable, and even relatable, that she would be bitter and angry about her diagnosis, but I couldn't stand how she refused to deal with her anger and instead lashed out at her daughter. Her behaviour read like something you would read in r/justnomil or r/raisedbynarcissists. It's not that her anger and bitterness - honed and polished to a sharp point over time - isn't justified, it's that instead of gaining the emotional maturity to confront those emotions and lay them to rest, she shoved the burden on her daughter with the mindset of "I gave birth to you in order to give me hope, it's your responsibility to make me feel better." Disgustingly selfish, and she never confronts or resolves this.
What this novel does do well is show the disconnection, heartbreak and listlessness of being in exile from your home. They're complex feelings to describe - especially to people who've never experienced that kind of violent upheaval - but that undercurrent of unfulfilled yearning is ever present here.
FWIW it's a quick read and the translation was well done, so pick it up if you're in the mood for something dark!
It's understandable, and even relatable, that she would be bitter and angry about her diagnosis, but I couldn't stand how she refused to deal with her anger and instead lashed out at her daughter. Her behaviour read like something you would read in r/justnomil or r/raisedbynarcissists. It's not that her anger and bitterness - honed and polished to a sharp point over time - isn't justified, it's that instead of gaining the emotional maturity to confront those emotions and lay them to rest, she shoved the burden on her daughter with the mindset of "I gave birth to you in order to give me hope, it's your responsibility to make me feel better." Disgustingly selfish, and she never confronts or resolves this.
What this novel does do well is show the disconnection, heartbreak and listlessness of being in exile from your home. They're complex feelings to describe - especially to people who've never experienced that kind of violent upheaval - but that undercurrent of unfulfilled yearning is ever present here.
FWIW it's a quick read and the translation was well done, so pick it up if you're in the mood for something dark!
_bb's review against another edition
4.0
Moving and well written in an understated way. It's kind of heavy reading for being amidst both a global pandemic and an uprising against racial oppression.
There is an interview that's worth a read as well:
https://therumpus.net/2019/03/the-rumpus-interview-with-golnaz-hashemzadeh-bonde/
There is an interview that's worth a read as well:
https://therumpus.net/2019/03/the-rumpus-interview-with-golnaz-hashemzadeh-bonde/
katie_campbell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow. I’m still drying my tears. What a beautiful story of a woman reckoning with her past and her diminishing future.
Nahid is not lovable by any means, she is terse, rude, and straight up mean sometimes. She has a twisted perception of reality shaped by a lifetime of abuse. But the love she has for her family, even if she does not realize it, carries her much further than she thought she could go.
Truly inspiring and heartwarming, the joy of life bursts through these pages and pierces right through the heart. I’m going to go call my mom now and tell her how much I love her.
Nahid is not lovable by any means, she is terse, rude, and straight up mean sometimes. She has a twisted perception of reality shaped by a lifetime of abuse. But the love she has for her family, even if she does not realize it, carries her much further than she thought she could go.
Truly inspiring and heartwarming, the joy of life bursts through these pages and pierces right through the heart. I’m going to go call my mom now and tell her how much I love her.
ktbshaw's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read this book after an encounter with a Middle Eastern woman in Sweden several years ago. What was her life like? I saved several quotes from this book. The ruminations about sand and roots are something to keep thinking about, as are the generational effects of trauma.
mewebb's review against another edition
4.0
What We Owe
Hard book to read about Iranian Revolution in 70’s. Then refugees in Sweden. Struggles & dependency of mothers & daughters. Yet, I couldn’t stop reading. Good!
Hard book to read about Iranian Revolution in 70’s. Then refugees in Sweden. Struggles & dependency of mothers & daughters. Yet, I couldn’t stop reading. Good!