Brick Lane: A Novel Summary and Reviews

Brick Lane: A Novel
by Monica Ali

Brick Lane: A Novel
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Book Summary Information

Author: Monica Ali
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-05-25
ISBN: 0743243315
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Scribner

Book Reviews of Brick Lane: A Novel

Book Review: A Lingering Read, like a lazy river, dwelling in all the corners of the mind...
Summary: 5 Stars

This is not a prescriptive book. I tend to look for the underlying morality of books I read, and you'd be hard-pressed to find it here. It simply describes life Nazneen as she emerges from the cocoon of defined femininity in Bangladesh. There are letters and dreams interspersed throughout, but the entire novel feels dream-like, as Nazneen is trapped in a life that is only as substantial as a dream. She begins to awake through pain and suffering, rather than simply enduring fate as masha'allah, the will of God.

I didn't find myself identifying strongly with any particular character, despite how real they are drawn. Rather I felt pulled into an alternate reality, one that I do not and could never share, but had become real under the pen of Monica Ali. She vividly paints how men and women have been trapped in respective spheres of influence, and how difficult it is for any to break out of what has become Truth. This is the Sugar Street of Britain, showing the culture through the political events of the 80's, 90's, and Noughties- and more than culture, individuals struggling for identity within myriad cultures.

The reader should be aware that at times the book slowed down, or was difficult to read. This was particularly true of the small-print italicized mailed letters, and in respect to British terminology, which I wasn't always familiar with.

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