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13th out of 112 books
—
3 voters
Ours Are the Streets
Paperback, 312 pages
Published
by Picador USA
(first published September 1st 2011)
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I've had this on the pile for a year or so, but picked it up on seeing that the writer's made it onto the influential Granta Best Young British Writers list.
Hmmm. It's fine, but it's nothing knock out. The semi-articulate first person / diary narrator is pretty well done (and the Sheffield-British-Asian register is all there).
But I'm not sure this is a penetrating insight into very much, beyond that our archetypal radical (7/7 etc, mtffaeithcoh - oh, that's shorthand for 'may they fry for all e...more
Hmmm. It's fine, but it's nothing knock out. The semi-articulate first person / diary narrator is pretty well done (and the Sheffield-British-Asian register is all there).
But I'm not sure this is a penetrating insight into very much, beyond that our archetypal radical (7/7 etc, mtffaeithcoh - oh, that's shorthand for 'may they fry for all e...more
It's a tall order to make a suicide bomber sympathethic, and debut author Sunjeev Sahota almost succeeds in this extremely topical novel.
The narrator of Ours Are The Streets is Imtiaz, born in Sheffield but of Pakistani origin. At the start of the book, he is already preparing to be a suicide bomber, and the narrative is written, rather contrivedly, as a letter to his loved ones, narrating his past actions and explaining his motives. Addressees include his baby daughter Noor, his child with his...more
The narrator of Ours Are The Streets is Imtiaz, born in Sheffield but of Pakistani origin. At the start of the book, he is already preparing to be a suicide bomber, and the narrative is written, rather contrivedly, as a letter to his loved ones, narrating his past actions and explaining his motives. Addressees include his baby daughter Noor, his child with his...more
The premise for the story behind Ours Are The Streets is an excellent one, and in the right hands this could be a powerful story that could go some way to explain why young men that have been born and brought up in Britain feel the need to turn to extreme fundamentalism.
However, the writing style in this book is so very odd. Imtiaz is a recognisable character, he is young, bored and has found himself married and a father at a young age, but there is nothing in his thoughts to make the reader fe...more
However, the writing style in this book is so very odd. Imtiaz is a recognisable character, he is young, bored and has found himself married and a father at a young age, but there is nothing in his thoughts to make the reader fe...more
Falls a bit short of the mark.
This book didn't really gel for me. It was rather disjointed and seemed to lurch its way between being a memoir and a farewell to his family.
In addition, I had a problem with Imtiaz's motivation for becoming a suicide bomber - he seemed more worried about belonging and being a part of something than actually convinced by the ideology of Islam. He preferred to listen to Islamic stories than to study the Koran, although he was very devout about attending the prayers.
I...more
This book didn't really gel for me. It was rather disjointed and seemed to lurch its way between being a memoir and a farewell to his family.
In addition, I had a problem with Imtiaz's motivation for becoming a suicide bomber - he seemed more worried about belonging and being a part of something than actually convinced by the ideology of Islam. He preferred to listen to Islamic stories than to study the Koran, although he was very devout about attending the prayers.
I...more
Laura An interesting premise, well handled. I would possibly have rated it 4 stars if the jumping back and forwards between his present life in Sheffield and a trip to Pakistan & Afghanistan had been clearer and some of the language less confusing. I liked the fact that it was not purely a sense of righteous anger behind his decision to turn terrorist, more a believable mix of alienation, a lack of belonging and of hope in his life so far and for the future (limited job prospects, marriage a...more
Not easy to assess this one and not a comfortable read.
Imtiaz is a British born young man of Pakistani origin, Sheffield to be precise. He is not particularly religious and falls in love with Rebecca, marries and has a daughter. Following the death of his father he goes to Pakistan for the funeral. here he meets extended family and friends and he is "radicalised" and spends some time in Afghanistan. One of his friends carries out a suicide bombing and Imtiaz returns to Britain with another fami...more
Imtiaz is a British born young man of Pakistani origin, Sheffield to be precise. He is not particularly religious and falls in love with Rebecca, marries and has a daughter. Following the death of his father he goes to Pakistan for the funeral. here he meets extended family and friends and he is "radicalised" and spends some time in Afghanistan. One of his friends carries out a suicide bombing and Imtiaz returns to Britain with another fami...more
Interesting premise, and unlike other reviewers, I didn't find it hard to grasp the narrative. I think part of the point is that the guy isn't politicised or even fundamentalised or whatever, he's just part of a group and their assumption is that they will all become suicide bombers/martyrs. Which makes it even more scary.
This is a book group read and I'm not sure I'd have picked it up, the cover didn't interest me although reading the blurb I felt I might enjoy it. Enjoy isn't really the word...more
This is a book group read and I'm not sure I'd have picked it up, the cover didn't interest me although reading the blurb I felt I might enjoy it. Enjoy isn't really the word...more
Ours are the street inizia con il piu' nobile degli intenti: illuminarci su come Imtiaz, un giovane pakistano di seconda generazione e "occidentalizzato", decida di rinunciare a una vita apparentemente perfetta e arruolarsi nella jihad. Il problema e' che, nelle 300 e passa pagine di romanzo, non si capisce il perche' di questa scelta.
Dopo la morte del padre, qualcosa si rompe dento Imtiaz e una rabbia, forse repressa, lo spinge a riconsiderate molte cose. Tuttavia, nonostante la prosa secca ma...more
Dopo la morte del padre, qualcosa si rompe dento Imtiaz e una rabbia, forse repressa, lo spinge a riconsiderate molte cose. Tuttavia, nonostante la prosa secca ma...more
A poignant account of the making of a terrorist and a jehadi, and the way he looks at the world. Imtiaz is not one of your usual suspects for a terrorist, being born and brought up in the west with access to all that is termed as "freedom" & "liberty". But its his search for his own self and where he really belongs is as fascinating as it is disturbing and dark.
Reading this book is almost like sitting in his head, and looking out.
The book is written in a style that reminded me in some ways...more
Reading this book is almost like sitting in his head, and looking out.
The book is written in a style that reminded me in some ways...more
Quite difficult to get into, but is rather more gripping in the second half.
There are some good characters and situations, and although he writes well, the author never really fleshes anything out enough.
The exploration of the motivation for a turn to fundamentalism is not really done well, turning as it does on a couple of key scenes that come and go too quickly. Added to this is the fact that there is no real consideration of the political issues, and so it all seems a bit slight.
In fact the m...more
There are some good characters and situations, and although he writes well, the author never really fleshes anything out enough.
The exploration of the motivation for a turn to fundamentalism is not really done well, turning as it does on a couple of key scenes that come and go too quickly. Added to this is the fact that there is no real consideration of the political issues, and so it all seems a bit slight.
In fact the m...more
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At first I didn't feel much for this book. It took me awhile to get settled into the skin of the main character. However, as with all things worth the wait this story slowly and steadily began to get under my skin. Although I think the story is more about belonging than it is about religion, it's truly a fresh breeze of air and a new cultural perspective on belief and trying to find your identity. The ending left me longing but shouldn't all good endings? Some things are best when left to our ow...more
this was a quite unsettling book - well it was bound to be given the nature of its story. It left me feeling quite sad at the end, I still did not really understand the 'why' of a suicide bomber but could understand the complex feelings of living in a society where your religion is looked down on and feared and yet still wanting to be a part of that society.
Jul 25, 2011
Saul Mcintyre
added it
A very interesting debut novel about the descent into madness and fanaticism of a Sheffield lad after visiting his relatives in Pakistan. Had me dreaming about being a Muslim suicide bomber on a couple of nights. Let down a bit by incorrect geography and the fact that I never warmed to the main character. Still enjoyed it a lot though.
could of been a much better book but felt it was disjointed and could of potrayed the suicide bomber much better but overlal not too bad for an orange prize shortlisted book
I first heard an interview with this author on the Guardian books podcast and the book sounded so intriguing that I felt I had to read it. However, I was a bit disappointed! Okay - its quite uncomfortable reading about a suicide bomber but I felt the story lacked depth and vitality. To be honest, I was glad to finish it.
**1/2
[!]
Loved the book, looks at terrorism from a very different angle and the angst the protagonist is facing sucks you in. And the open ending keeps you thinking, long after the book is over. Gripping.
Slow moving and boring at times> unfolding of the plot is done magnificently however and the layers of society are peeled back to reveal hidden sins.
Most books are worth giving the first 100 pages a chance. This one didn't make it beyond that.
May 13, 2013
Charu Dwivedi
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Lynseycallaghan
added it
Apr 25, 2013
Hema
marked it as to-read
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Nov 27, 2012 03:09pm