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#Libya
review
Centique
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Pickpick

As others have said this is not the book i expected it to be and it hit me harder because of that. I expected a book about tyranny causing violent revolution but what i got was the way that tyranny with one act unmoors and exiles and causes long term trauma. To me so much of this book is the loneliness of exile, how an 18 year old is supposed to somehow forge a life away from his home and family knowing he is watched, knowing he cannot speak.

Centique The tension in this book is from the reality of how dangerous it is to be an exile, what tyranny will do, not just to those who oppose it, but to anyone who they suspect might stand up or bear witness. This is an incredibly thoughtful book, and quiet - contemplating family, home and friendship. 1mo
BarbaraBB What a wonderful review. True words. 1mo
squirrelbrain Fabulous review! 1mo
See All 14 Comments
Centique @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain thank you 😘 I am sure it was your reviews that put this high on my TBR! 1mo
sarahbarnes Wow, great review. I still haven‘t read this. 1mo
TrishB Great review- need to get to! 1mo
Cathythoughts Great review! I have it waiting on the shelf ♥️ 1mo
Deblovestoread Excellent review! This book has staying power ❤️ 1mo
Centique @sarahbarnes thank you 💕 1mo
Centique @TrishB i think you will like it! 1mo
Centique @Cathythoughts thank you Cathy. Its a quiet thoughtful one for when you need a slower pace 💕 I know you often like those! 1mo
Centique @Deblovestoread im sure it will stay with me too! 1mo
Suet624 I wanted everyone to read this and I wish it was considered for more prize lists. 1w
Centique @Suet624 I agree! It has been so close with longlists and things but not getting to the finals. 7d
67 likes5 stack adds14 comments
blurb
Gleefulreader
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Yesterday was a day filled with walking and I spent some time alone visiting Hatchard‘s, Daunt Books and Books on the Water (an absolutely lovely bookstore in a river barge). The tagged book is a signed edition from Daunt. I am fortunate to have an exceedingly understanding husband (plus bonus money that I earn judging trampoline gymnastics) that allowed me to splurge. Best book trip ever!

JamieArc I really enjoyed My Friends. Even though it‘s not the lightest of subjects, it was really lovely. 2mo
24 likes1 comment
review
Abailliekaras
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Pickpick

I love Matar‘s warm, erudite tone & rich subject matter so no surprise that I was engrossed by this novel. Khaled & his friends yare in London, unable to return to Libya. The heartbreak & uncertainty of this exile is beautifully rendered & feels true to life. It‘s poignant but told in a warm, inviting voice. Matar‘s writing flows & there‘s something exact in his prose that feels thoughtful & not showy. He wears his knowledge lightly. Moving.

BkClubCare On my list! 3mo
BarbaraBB Yes. Such a loving book. 3mo
Cathythoughts I have this on my shelf. Sounds good ❤️ 3mo
See All 7 Comments
quietlycuriouskate I really liked this book! ❤️ 3mo
Abailliekaras @BarbaraBB wasn‘t it! 3mo
Abailliekaras @quietlycuriouskate I‘m still thinking about it 3mo
32 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
quietlycuriouskate
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Pickpick

#bookerprizelonglist (Yes, I'm still making slow progress through the longlist ?)

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to this much. Given the subject matter, I imagined it would be rather "tough" in a blokeish way: the book it would have been had Mustafa been the narrator, perhaps. As it was, I found it surprisingly tender. I felt for Khaled, whose life seems permanently provisional despite 30 years of staying put.

I'd have shortlisted it.

squirrelbrain It was on my shortlist. And, like you, I didn‘t imagine I would like it. 5mo
JamieArc I had the same thoughts. It was a nice surprise for me. 5mo
Cathythoughts Nice review, I have this one. I must get to it 👍🏻😁 5mo
Caroline2 Yes! I‘ve been reluctant to get this one too as I thought it would be blokey but everyone keeps saying how fab it is so I guess I‘ll have to read it now. 😂 5mo
40 likes4 comments
review
Anna40
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Pickpick

What can I say that hasn‘t been said already?It‘s a book of unspeakable pain dealing with exile,life under and after dictatorship, inter generational trauma and torture. It‘s infuriating how little is also known about Italy‘s oppression and Mussolini‘s atrocities committed in Libya. The fact that Tony Blair shook hands with Gaddafi and his as well as Britain‘s ‘relations‘ with the regime went even further is just inconceivable…

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Leniverse

'At first I thought, to be a parent you have to be an idealist. Then I learnt that to be a parent is to be continually coming up against everything that is not ideal about you.'

Suet624 So true. 6mo
24 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Jas16
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Pickpick

I see now why so many people thought this was a sure bet for the Booker shortlist. This is the story of a man exiled from his homeland of Libya and living in London and his two closest friends who both share his experience but also show how uniquely alone they are all too. It was a slower, more meandering tale and let me so gently immerse myself in Khalid‘s story that I was surprised to look up and realize how deeply entrenched I was. So good.

Suet624 I really liked this one. Glad it ended up on several lists of prize nominees. 5mo
48 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
NovelNancyM
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Pickpick

This is a beautifully written book about Khaled and his two Libyan friends Hosam and Mustafa. Khaled is exiled in London from Libya due to political unrest. The story spans around 40 years and goes all the way to the Arab Spring. Writing, reading and language are a significant part of this story too. Long listed for the 2024 Booker Prize. Highly recommend!

review
Suet624
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this so much. I actually went back to the beginning to read how Matar introduced us to the story. I haven‘t read a book in a while that covers the experience of being exiled from your homeland with such melancholy and confusion. I definitely haven‘t read a book about Libya and the Arab Spring. I miss Khalid, the main character, already. #bookerlonglist

JamieArc I really enjoyed this one too. There was just something lovely and pure about the male relationships that we don‘t always get to read about. 7mo
BarbaraBB Wonderful review. I had such a good time with it too. He‘s such a kind character 7mo
Suet624 @JamieArc you‘re right! I kept trying to put my finger on what was different about it and I think you‘ve explained it. 7mo
Suet624 @BarbaraBB 💕💕 7mo
51 likes3 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Leniverse
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My hold for My Friends finally came in. I've waited months! But I can't read it yet because the other two are due back. 😣

Actually, I'm sure both of them are great too, so what am I complaining about? 😂

#BookwormProblems