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Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Buda iz predmestja by Hanif Kureishi

4 reviews

irina_maria's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the kind of book you pick up again right after being finished reading, just so you may try and understand how the author pulled such a stunt. I didn't really enjoy it at first, but the depth of this story crept up on me and I found myself unable to put it down. It's irreverent, witty, puzzling and touching. It manages to strike the fine balance between investigating the construction of British Indian identity and making you feel seen (and called out) as a reader. It's full of rich cultural references, the city of London is a character in itself (along with its suburbs) and, perhaps most movingly, it mirrors the aggregating complexities of one's coming of age in a most pleasurable manner.
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froschfreund's review against another edition

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clem's review against another edition

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funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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athenajpeg's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A somewhat winding and wandering view of race, class, and sex in England. Perches at the border of realism and satire, with a protagonist (Karim) who is little more than a floater between spheres, observing people as they suffer in extravagantly complex ways. No good thing in this book is unspoiled, no bad thing without its silver lining. In this way it feels to exist mostly in limbo, with every moment both monumental and inconsequential. Side characters make some pretty stirring arguments against capitalism and racism, while Karim ultimately ignores it all, neither succeeding greatly or failing significantly. I didn't hate this book, nor would I necessarily sing its praises, but that seems to be right where it is content to sit and I respect it for that.
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