Monica Ali, Brick Lane Review

Overall Rating

Good representation of a misunderstood Asian community in a neglected area of London. Insightful and interesting if using book as a basis for academic work. I wrote an essay on this book and found that Ali addressed many of the issues brought up in the 1991 census for the area of Tower Hamlets (where it is set). She seems accurate in her description of life, etc. It also created a passionate response from the local community, albeit a negative one.

Not a compelling storyline, realistic but not interesting. I wouldn't recommend purchasing this book, but might be worth borrowing it or buying it second hand if you're interested in the treatment and discrimination of Asian communities in the London area.

Not worth buying if you're looking for a compelling read at bed times. Accurate in its representations but not an interesting storyline.