Reviews

So Vast the Prison by Assia Djebar

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dinasamimi's review

3.0

I want to love this, but it was way too disjointed and atmospheric. That said, the prose is really beautiful. This was clearly a labor of love for Djebar, who delves deep into North African history as well as her own Berber lineage, but the plot is confused and very slow going.

chicola's review against another edition

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3.0

Good. A lot of layers, a lot of things going on. It's hard to describe this book in a few short sentences. I give it 3 stars because I feel like Djebar was reaching for two many things in one book. I read this for a Post-Modernism class. To me there were a lot of interesting points about the book, decontructing a woman's role in her marriage in her community in her career in her history--in her own skin. I read an english translation from the original french while in Paris, seeing the tensions between Algerians and the French... I think those little details made her writing seem a bit more complex as well. All in all a good book.

judi_ly's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

zombi's review against another edition

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5.0

Her writing style is so deeply heartfelt. I wept.

jake_'s review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

2.75

Djebar is clearly an excellent writer, and an artist, but despite a pleasant prose style and some memorable vignettes, this novel failed to be at all engaging due to its disconnected, vague and detached nature.