Monica Ali, Brick Lane Review

Overall Rating

I was expecting of this Brick Lane; "richly complex characters, a gripping story " Observer 15th June 2003
This book was not what I was expecting.

I found this book frustrating. I really wanted to enjoy it and it has such potential but; the letters from Nazneens sister are annoying (no wonder the previous reviewer had problems translating!) They are written in broken English and go on for far too long, implying information but not quite clearly enough to understand fully.

The characters were thin and I didn't (as a reader) care about any of them Mrs Islams character had the most description and she was horrid but funny and I enjoyed reading her.

This book took me months of picking it up, putting it down and took me the longest to read ever I think...it really felt like a chore reading it. I read the last few half of the book a bit quicker but my immediate reaction upon finishing it was to throw it away (which I did).

Just to explain to previous reviewer. (Deadmelodies) commented that Muslims would not have such organisations as the one that Karim was involved with - this is untrue..of course there are groups that operate in this way in England (and worldwide).

Overall though, a very disappointing read