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A review by sittingwishingreading
Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ayad Akhtar is straight-faced in his telling about the way we change opinions and perspective as we live. This book spans the protagonist’s relationship with his father, the first Trump presidency, and the critical consciousness he has grown as he has navigated xenophobia and Islamophobia in the world.
Aktar does not aim for the protagonist to be likable in this book, but the protagonist does work to be honest in reflecting on himself and others. I found his commentary and anecdotes astute and important as Akhtar weaves a larger narrative of the protagonist’s life from singular or loosely related anecdotes and stories in his chapters. The protagonist is a man with charisma, a man who has struggled, and a man who has watched two immigrant parents and family friends grapple with the violence caused by the US to their home, Pakistan, and surrounding countries (most notably in this novel is Afghanistan).
I really appreciated the way Akhtar wove history and personal narrative together, folded past and present insights alongside each other, and really brought a book that is greater than the sum of its parts to the table. I, personally, thought the first half was stronger than the second half, but really appreciated all that Akhtar said in this book.
Aktar does not aim for the protagonist to be likable in this book, but the protagonist does work to be honest in reflecting on himself and others. I found his commentary and anecdotes astute and important as Akhtar weaves a larger narrative of the protagonist’s life from singular or loosely related anecdotes and stories in his chapters. The protagonist is a man with charisma, a man who has struggled, and a man who has watched two immigrant parents and family friends grapple with the violence caused by the US to their home, Pakistan, and surrounding countries (most notably in this novel is Afghanistan).
I really appreciated the way Akhtar wove history and personal narrative together, folded past and present insights alongside each other, and really brought a book that is greater than the sum of its parts to the table. I, personally, thought the first half was stronger than the second half, but really appreciated all that Akhtar said in this book.