Fast paced easy to delve into.
|
I thought this book was a good read it was fast paced from the first chapter. I read this book in one day. The character in the book tells it as it is without being apologetic. You can really feel the anger and fustration when Kieran tells her story.
However, I thought the ending was unrealistic and perhaps some of the issues discussed could of been explored further. None the less its worth a read.
|
|
A refreshing read
|
|
I found this book to be a refreshing read that relied little on the cliches you find in popular books written to a multicultural backdrop. You can tell that the Author grew up in East London as everything she writes can be related to. Her description of the local drugs problem is spot-on and the "clones" she speaks of (i.e. young Asian girls with the same attitudes/style/dress sense, etc) rings true. She addresses a broad range of issues and though the novel is a work of fiction, I wouldn't be surprised if some of it is based on fact as it seems to have a very personal touch. On the whole, a very enjoyable read.
|
|
|
Covers a lot of ground
|
|
The thing that struck me about Life, Love & Assimilation is the amount of ground it manages to cover. It discusses everything from religion, politics, terrorism, racism, culture and gender issues to sex, love, friendship, marriage and identity and manages to do it all with a fresh voice that is neither dogmatic nor naïve. The story is told through the voice of Kieran Ali; a girl that one can never really figure out. She has all the makings of a modern heroine; funny, feisty, determined and self-reliant but she also has a vulnerable side that keeps her from following her dreams, opting instead to fulfill her parents’ wishes. This dichotomy of character is truly reflective of young Asian women today and the two worlds between which they exist. We follow Kieran through childhood, her first love and marriage along with all the trials and tribulations she meets along the way. A bittersweet ending ends the story perfectly. The only thing that kept me from awarding Life, Love & Assimilation 5 stars is the fact that it is a tad unrealistic in parts but of course, that is what we want of fiction. If novels contained the everyday humdrum of real life without a touch of the unreal, who would want to read them? This book manages to balance this with a real insight into the world of modern British Asian youth. Well worth a read.
|
|
|
Not meaty enough
|
|
I liked this book but thought that some of the issues could have been explored further. I was going to say it’s like whipped cream; light and frothy but that would be unfair as it does address some serious issues. Having said that, it is not really meaty enough to really get your teeth into. The good points are that it is interesting, funny in parts, sad in others. The heroine is very likeable. She approaches issues in a straight, honest, almost irreverent manner so you can you be sure she’s telling it exactly the way it is. The bad points are that it should have delved a bit deeper into some of the issues. But I guess that’s not inherently a bad thing; not every book has to be intensely cerebral so if you’re after a quick read, this is the book for you.
|
|
|
Short but sweet
|
|
The first thing you notice about this book is its pretty cover. The second thing you notice is that at 172 pages, it is relatively short compared to most novels. This may lead you to believe that pretty = shallow underneath but this book is actually surprisingly satisfying. It’s fast-moving and doesn’t dwell on unnecessary details. The thing that is different about this book is that it is written from a modern perspective. Books like Brick Lane for example, follow the story of a woman that came to Britain as an Immigrant. Life, Love & Assimilation follows the story of a girl who grew up in London and who is trying the balance the traditional customs of her family and the ways of the western world. It is a refreshing and unafraid book that I’m sure I will read again.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada