1) I gave it a 4 out of 5, because, although I thought it was a little slow to start, I really enjoyed it once it got rolling.
2) Considering how misunderstood Islam is, especially in the USA, I really enjoyed the insight into the religion and its folklore. The mystical elements were easily my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed the mixture of ancient folktales and religious myths with the more modern backdrop of computer hacking and programming.
The only thing that bugged me was the role of the convert. I mean, we never even get to learn her name, or why she converted. Is her role in getting pregnant with a half-jinn child supposed to be a parallel to Mary from Christian folklore? Marrying the natural and the supernatural, bringing them together in her child? I wonder how much of the convert is the author herself, also being an American who converted to Islam.
In that context, I also found Alif's real name interesting, as Mohammed is the name of the central prophet of Islam. It kind of reflected his role as a 'prophet' of the information age.
3) I like that he grew up as the book progressed. In the beginning, he was just kind of a rude little snot, especially to the women around him. He treated his mother, the family maids, and even Dina like he barely saw them, and the thing with the sheet that he sent back to Intisar was just kind of creepy-wrong.
I agree with ayashi that Intisar felt more complicated than just someone we were supposed to dislike because she jilted Alif. She was looking out for herself, in a society that traditionally treats women as lesser creatures. I really can't fault her for taking care of herself, and also for changing her mind about Alif and realizing she couldn't live in his world. Beyond the whole bit where she's upset that she'd have to do laundry and housework (which was the closest I came to getting irritated with her), Alif is living a dangerous life as a hacker, protecting insurgents and other anti-government people. If she decided to stay with him, she'd be putting herself and potentially any children they had in the same danger. I doubt the State as they were presented would go easy on the wife and children in a situation like that.
I did really like Alif's sudden realization of Dina, though. When she accepted him beneath her veil to offer him comfort. I thought it was very moving, how he suddenly sees her, and knows she's always been there.
4) Dina was amazing. I love her so very much. And I love the fact that despite her being very devout and wearing the veil, something that most Westerners have coded as being oppressive to women, Dina herself is very feminist and very strong. She uses the veil as something that gives her power and strength, not diminish it, and that makes her awesome. I loved so many of the minor characters too.
5) NewQuarter coming to the rescue of Alif was pretty awesome. I also really liked Alif's philosophical and religious discussions with the Sheikh from the mosque.
6) World of Battlecraft. :D I actually remember the author saying that she plays World of Warcraft so that actually really amuses me.
2) Considering how misunderstood Islam is, especially in the USA, I really enjoyed the insight into the religion and its folklore. The mystical elements were easily my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed the mixture of ancient folktales and religious myths with the more modern backdrop of computer hacking and programming.
The only thing that bugged me was the role of the convert. I mean, we never even get to learn her name, or why she converted. Is her role in getting pregnant with a half-jinn child supposed to be a parallel to Mary from Christian folklore? Marrying the natural and the supernatural, bringing them together in her child? I wonder how much of the convert is the author herself, also being an American who converted to Islam.
In that context, I also found Alif's real name interesting, as Mohammed is the name of the central prophet of Islam. It kind of reflected his role as a 'prophet' of the information age.
3) I like that he grew up as the book progressed. In the beginning, he was just kind of a rude little snot, especially to the women around him. He treated his mother, the family maids, and even Dina like he barely saw them, and the thing with the sheet that he sent back to Intisar was just kind of creepy-wrong.
I agree with ayashi that Intisar felt more complicated than just someone we were supposed to dislike because she jilted Alif. She was looking out for herself, in a society that traditionally treats women as lesser creatures. I really can't fault her for taking care of herself, and also for changing her mind about Alif and realizing she couldn't live in his world. Beyond the whole bit where she's upset that she'd have to do laundry and housework (which was the closest I came to getting irritated with her), Alif is living a dangerous life as a hacker, protecting insurgents and other anti-government people. If she decided to stay with him, she'd be putting herself and potentially any children they had in the same danger. I doubt the State as they were presented would go easy on the wife and children in a situation like that.
I did really like Alif's sudden realization of Dina, though. When she accepted him beneath her veil to offer him comfort. I thought it was very moving, how he suddenly sees her, and knows she's always been there.
4) Dina was amazing. I love her so very much. And I love the fact that despite her being very devout and wearing the veil, something that most Westerners have coded as being oppressive to women, Dina herself is very feminist and very strong. She uses the veil as something that gives her power and strength, not diminish it, and that makes her awesome. I loved so many of the minor characters too.
5) NewQuarter coming to the rescue of Alif was pretty awesome. I also really liked Alif's philosophical and religious discussions with the Sheikh from the mosque.
6) World of Battlecraft. :D I actually remember the author saying that she plays World of Warcraft so that actually really amuses me.
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