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lindzlovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very much of a piece. It's it about a monster made up from pieces, it's about a city in pieces, the book itself is fragmented made up of seperate story lines all stitched together. This means the novel itself doesn't really have a strong through line, but the way Saadawi is able to convey the city of Baghdad with it's mystical Assyrian roots to it's modern burtal regimes and subsequent war as a background tapistry, and also how he threaded the notion of Frankenstien's monster into the fabric of the city and novel was intoxicating. It was an easy book to inhabbit for that reason, and it was all done with an effortlessness that I loved.
bluedijon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
To say this book was ambitious is an understatement. When Saadawi's efforts shine, they're brilliant - this book for sure sticks with you, and had an undeniably compelling idea at it's core. But in the between moments it lags. I would absolutely say it's worth it for those moments of brilliance and the overall point/idea of the story, but just be prepared for the bridges between those moments to feel like you want more in comparison.
christalnoel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-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
4.0
vishnu_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookyintherain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Used the character list a lot. I loved what this had to say about war, stories, and families. Great challenging read.
raya_401's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kate_cunningham's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
habibahreads_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Saadawi had an eloquent way of showcasing the battle between good and evil. He highlighted a lot of the political and social aftermath of the war on terror in Baghdad. There are a lot of philosophical ideas presented for example of this call that the junior astrologer has put into the Frankenstein:“ there are no innocents who are completely innocents or criminals who are completely criminal.“ the ending was completely strange at the end, hadi was the one who got in jail and that corresponds to what the Frankenstein told him. And the Frankenstein was on top of the demolished building with Nabu, Elshiva’s cat. I guess that could symbolize that the the people no matter what was deluded to the fact that he was in danger, and that the authority was protecting them so that’s why he felt timid or maybe that order was restored so that made him feel in tranquility .