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A review by thebooksatchel
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Set in Karachi, London, Delhi. An invite only language school that promises fluency in ten days (cultish, no contact with mainland during the language course) catches the eye of Anisa. This might be her way to make her dream of working as a translator come true.
Pros:
-I really enjoyed the commentary on micro racial aggressions. There's a scene where Anisa is bothered by her white boyfriend Adam's actions and comments when they visit Pakistan. How he exoticizes her own city, how he praises the hospitality (doesn't he understand that a non-white person would not have received the same treatment, she wonders), how he puts his plate in the sink after dinner (PS: personally I didn't understand why this was a big issue in Anisa's mind. It's just courteous behaviour) etc. There's a scene later in the book when Adam talks about his side of things. How he tries to be worthy of her love. And he also talks about why he puts his plate in the kitchen sink by himself.
-I also enjoyed how Anisa also puts into perspective how her own version of her city has changed. How she seems to feel home in the stereotyped motifs of the city and culture, and how important they are to her. I enjoyed reading these multitudes in the same person.
- The blurb was a killer one, and that's what attracted me to the book. The book was very readable, making it a fast read.
Cons:
- The biggest positive thing about the book should've been its shocking premise and the kind of dystopian hues of the secret invite only language school. BUT the blurb gives away everything about this school. There was little development to the blurb (for 50% of the book). The climax, though shocking, is predictable.
- The pacing could've been better. More developments to what's mentioned in the blurb come very late.
- I would've liked to see more of the actual language dynamics and how they affect those who sign up in the school. The book mostly focussed on the hidden secrets.
- Adam seemed to exist only for the racism discourse and to introduce Anisa to the secret school. I would've loved to see a more fleshed out relationship, what worked, what didn't etc.
Pros:
-I really enjoyed the commentary on micro racial aggressions. There's a scene where Anisa is bothered by her white boyfriend Adam's actions and comments when they visit Pakistan. How he exoticizes her own city, how he praises the hospitality (doesn't he understand that a non-white person would not have received the same treatment, she wonders), how he puts his plate in the sink after dinner (PS: personally I didn't understand why this was a big issue in Anisa's mind. It's just courteous behaviour) etc. There's a scene later in the book when Adam talks about his side of things. How he tries to be worthy of her love. And he also talks about why he puts his plate in the kitchen sink by himself.
-I also enjoyed how Anisa also puts into perspective how her own version of her city has changed. How she seems to feel home in the stereotyped motifs of the city and culture, and how important they are to her. I enjoyed reading these multitudes in the same person.
- The blurb was a killer one, and that's what attracted me to the book. The book was very readable, making it a fast read.
Cons:
- The biggest positive thing about the book should've been its shocking premise and the kind of dystopian hues of the secret invite only language school. BUT the blurb gives away everything about this school. There was little development to the blurb (for 50% of the book). The climax, though shocking, is predictable.
- The pacing could've been better. More developments to what's mentioned in the blurb come very late.
- I would've liked to see more of the actual language dynamics and how they affect those who sign up in the school. The book mostly focussed on the hidden secrets.
- Adam seemed to exist only for the racism discourse and to introduce Anisa to the secret school. I would've loved to see a more fleshed out relationship, what worked, what didn't etc.