Readers have found fault with Monica Ali's debut novel, in that it fails to transport the reader in ways which other 'crosscultural' novels have done so for 'Western' audiences.
True, it is difficult to identify with the main character, Nazneen. That is a result of point of view: the reader is never fully aware of, let alone immersed in, Nazneen's internal world. To the very end, she keeps quiet, her motives hidden, and her emotional life remains unexpressed. Due to the particularities of her birth, she is overly conscious of the judgments she may reap, not only from her husband, her estranged sister, her limited social circle in the inner city immigrant community, but also from her God. Thus, we are never sure what she feels, what she really thinks, for all is censored, under the watchful eye in the sky.
Taking this theme into account, I would venture to say that Ali tries to treat her protagonist in the same tender manner as Virginia Woolf did with her female characters. It is no accident that one of the few 'Anglo' persons named in the novel is called 'Mr. Dalloway.'

Reserved for the Two Worlds Virtual Book Box started by loveamystery.

Selected by christina82 from the VBB, and the book is now on its way to Denmark. Enjoy!

This arrived today - Look forward to reading it! Thank you for sharing okyrhoe!!!

Got another copy of this book - this will now be available.

This Book is Currently in the Wild!