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Liked It “Very good story set in Turkey after an earthquake. It is cultural & very interesting (educational at times). It goes backwards & forwards between the father's experiences & the daughter's experiences, each struggling with what is right in their country & what their heart desires.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This was suggested as it a cross cultural book. In glancing at others reviews, it looks like a hit - well written book. Since I like learning about other cultures, I looked forward to reading it. However, I did not find it all that engaging. I don't think that it was that well written. I...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Very good story set in Turkey after an earthquake. It is cultural & very interesting (educational at times). It goes backwards & forwards between the father's experiences & the daughter's experiences, each struggling with what is right in their country & what their heart desires. ”
Katy wrote this review Sunday, November 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a last-minute impulse buy from the bestsellers section at the bookstore. I wasn't sure why I picked it up except that the cover looked so familiar to Hosseini's The Kite Runner. Similar in size, at least.
bunnychip9 wrote this review Sunday, November 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Anything Islamic seems to sell these days. Set in Istanbul, Turkey, first time writer Alan Drew's story traces the life of Sinan and his family as he struggles caused through the upheavals of an earthquake that devastates his home. Poignant, and moving, the book mainly traces richly the character of Sinan, his daughter Irem, and son Ismail.
Intriguing to me was the central theme of conflict between the Muslim Sinan and the Christian American whose wife helps his own son to live through her death. Sinan's conflict in being in debt to a country that he despises is fascinating to read through. Yet, it was not Sinan I liked the most. It was the character of Irem - her rebellion, her disdain for society's mores echoing my own beliefs.
I read the book through the night from 1:30AM to 5AM. It was worth the loss of sleep. In the end, I wanted to read more..”
“A fascinated novel about the travails of a Kurdish family in the Istanbul reluctantly receiving aid from American Christian relief workers following a devastating earthquake. ”
Marvin S wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Wonderfull provocative story set in the Middle East and plays to our sense of prejudices & religious beliefs. Yet tugs at our hearts when someone so close to us challenges our morals.”
Diane D wrote this review Friday, July 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Well written but a bit of a downer”
KateJ wrote this review Wednesday, July 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I enjoyed the book. I like reading about other cultures even when I do not necessarily agree with their way of life or their beliefs. ”
Danelle H wrote this review Friday, March 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This was suggested as it a cross cultural book. In glancing at others reviews, it looks like a hit - well written book. Since I like learning about other cultures, I looked forward to reading it. However, I did not find it all that engaging. I don't think that it was that well written. I found myself skimming through it and just trying to get the plot points. It was about the culture clash, but I just didn't find it "good" in terms of the writing style. Too bad, as I wanted to enjoy this book.”
Marcia H wrote this review Sunday, March 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed learning a small amount of the Muslim world - and how one family copped with a disaster and the relief effort supplied by a group of missionary Westerners. When people need help the most why then must it come at price? ”
Kimberly S wrote this review Wednesday, January 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This novel presented an excellent line between men and women in and around Istanbul. The story has amazing twists and turns, most of them unexprected and not typical. Parts made me cry, while other made me feel like I was part of the family during their suffering. A great read looking into the human heart and the consequences of decisions we may make. ”
Kayla Dixon wrote this review Wednesday, November 12 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book is well written and engaging. It reminded me of "West Side Story" with a twist. It describes clash of cultures when ignorance and small mindedness are the driving forces. It is a good read although rather pessimistic. Very interesting. ”
Beatriz Y wrote this review Friday, October 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
