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Imogen SB (4507 KP) created a video about track Teenagers by My Chemical Romance in Black Parade by My Chemical Romance in Music
Apr 3, 2019
Imogen SB (4507 KP) created a video about track Suck My Kiss by Red Hot Chili Peppers in Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers in Music
Apr 3, 2019
LucyB (47 KP) rated Three Daughters of Eve in Books
Jul 23, 2017
Powerful, thought-provoking story
I was really happy to receive Three Daughters of Eve on Netgalley, as I'd recently read an interview with the author and thought the book sounded fascinating.
It certainly lived up to expectations. The book is set both in the past and the present, focusing on Peri as a student in Oxford, and as a wealthy wife (14 years later) in Istanbul. It starts with something of a red herring, focusing on Peri's attack (and almost rape) by a beggar, then develops into an exploration of her past, as a Turkish Muslim at Oxford University.
She's flanked by Shirin, a non-believer, and Mona, a devout Muslim - making them 'the sinner, the believer and the confused'. They're united by a man called Professor Azur, who has a major influence in their lives, both positive and negative.
The book is an intriguing exploration into religion, belief and culture-clash - and in particular, the scenes detailing Peri's past, with a non-believing father and a devout mother, worked particularly well. A few moments jarred slightly - for example, the sudden revelation about the twin brother towards the end, and the abrupt shift in perspective from Peri to Professor Azur (again, towards the end), but for the most part, this book was masterfully executed and beautifully sustained throughout.
I think Shafak has a strong, resonant style, combined with a philosophical approach - which works really well. I'd definitely like to read more of her books
It certainly lived up to expectations. The book is set both in the past and the present, focusing on Peri as a student in Oxford, and as a wealthy wife (14 years later) in Istanbul. It starts with something of a red herring, focusing on Peri's attack (and almost rape) by a beggar, then develops into an exploration of her past, as a Turkish Muslim at Oxford University.
She's flanked by Shirin, a non-believer, and Mona, a devout Muslim - making them 'the sinner, the believer and the confused'. They're united by a man called Professor Azur, who has a major influence in their lives, both positive and negative.
The book is an intriguing exploration into religion, belief and culture-clash - and in particular, the scenes detailing Peri's past, with a non-believing father and a devout mother, worked particularly well. A few moments jarred slightly - for example, the sudden revelation about the twin brother towards the end, and the abrupt shift in perspective from Peri to Professor Azur (again, towards the end), but for the most part, this book was masterfully executed and beautifully sustained throughout.
I think Shafak has a strong, resonant style, combined with a philosophical approach - which works really well. I'd definitely like to read more of her books
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write in Books
Oct 13, 2017
A multitude of wonderful voices
From Lebanon to Pakistan, there is a whole host of female Muslim voices in this wonderful pioneering collection.
Some of the stand out stories, essays and poems include a man reconnecting with art through a woman's eyes, to political stories about the apartheid state of Palestine, so-called "honour crimes", and the illegal war in Iraq. The writers involved are award-winning authors such as Kamila Shamsie, actors, and even a young 15 year old poet - all based in the UK.
It avoids stereotypes and instead advocates quite a humanist outlook on femininity - that a person is complex, with a full range of emotions rather than just the standard media portrayal. A wonderful plethora of diversity.
Some of the stand out stories, essays and poems include a man reconnecting with art through a woman's eyes, to political stories about the apartheid state of Palestine, so-called "honour crimes", and the illegal war in Iraq. The writers involved are award-winning authors such as Kamila Shamsie, actors, and even a young 15 year old poet - all based in the UK.
It avoids stereotypes and instead advocates quite a humanist outlook on femininity - that a person is complex, with a full range of emotions rather than just the standard media portrayal. A wonderful plethora of diversity.
AmyBee (4 KP) rated The Satanic Verses in Books
Nov 23, 2018
The best known novel that people have never read.
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is the number one work of literature (except from the Christian Bible) that people have heard of but never read. This is due to the controversy it caused when it was published, which resulted in the author receiving death threats (or a fatwa) by the Muslim community for depicting the prophet Muhammad as a paedophile.
Full of magic realism and fantasy elements, The Satanic Verses is a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions. An absolute must read for the secular and religious communities because it makes one think deeply about religious matters.
Full of magic realism and fantasy elements, The Satanic Verses is a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions. An absolute must read for the secular and religious communities because it makes one think deeply about religious matters.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) created a video about track Nowhere Left To Sink by Like Moths To Flames in Dark Divine by Like Moths To Flames in Music
Oct 17, 2017
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) created a video about Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness of Decay by Cradle Of Filth in Music
Nov 13, 2017
Ollie SB (2279 KP) created a video about track I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) by Meat Loaf in Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell by Meat Loaf in Music
Apr 23, 2020
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) created a video about track I Found You (with Calvin Harris) by Benny Blanco in Friends Keep Secrets by Benny Blanco in Music
Jan 25, 2019