Exit West by Moshin Hamid, 4 stars

[Holly R W]

Moshin Hamid is a new author to me and his book, "Exit West," is unlike any other book I have read. I picked this book out in the library, just knowing that it was acclaimed, but not knowing anything more than that. As I write this review, I am still puzzling over the many disparate parts of the book. I would dearly love to discuss the book with another reader.

Here are my impressions: Two young adults meet in an evening class and their meeting transforms their lives. Saeed and Nadia live in an unnamed Mideastern/Asian country and have differing outlooks on Islam. Saeed tends to be more traditional and has a loving relationship with his parents. Nadia is estranged from her family. She wears a conservative, concealing black robe for her own practical reasons that have nothing to do with religion. The two become smitten with each other. Their relationship deepens and changes throughout the book. For me, their personalities and lives are the most compelling part of the story.

As it happens, this slim book then takes off in multiple directions, locales and time frames, using the couple's life together as a jumping off place. Saeed's and Nadia's country becomes more and more dangerous for them to live in. Citizens like themselves are easily hurt by clashes between warring factions of the established government and the rebels. The author describes war time losses of electricity, water, food and terrifying human casualties. The couple adapts to these as best they can and stays together to survive. This is a most unusual way for a romance to begin.

Then the story changes to include portals for escape to different locations. The couple learns that they can walk through blackened doors that lead them away from their war torn city. Sadly, Saeed's father decides to remain behind. We watch as the couple travels first to Greece, then to England and then to the U.S through these magical doors. Each time, their hope is to find a better and safer life for themselves. Unfortunately, this is not what they find.

The author paints a depressing picture of how the world may look in the future. In each relocation, Saeed and Nadia find other "migrants" such as themselves who have also passed through the doors. There is conflict and unease with the "natives" who resent them. Gradually, national boundaries and consensual governments erode. Life is very difficult and even joyless. I disliked this aspect of the story. Still, I kept reading, because I cared about the characters.

My 4 star rating is due to how original and creative the story is, despite not enjoying all of it.
1 like

[Booknblues]

I loved this book. I loved Hamid's writing and would read a book just for his voice. This made the top 10 of the year for me when I read it.

I've read true stories about refugees in Syria and his description of the country Saeed and Nadia live in matches these real life stories pretty well. Also matching for me were the initial doors they passed through, because the directions and where the refugees may end up were so similiar.

As the book went on it veered into dystopian almost, but at the center was the relationship . There are a few things about this that I relate to, many of the places the refugees ended up have similarities to how this happens in real life and I think their reactions represent the different ways people react to these stressors and how relationships change under stress.

[Susie]

I loved this book. He’s on my list of must read authors.

[Meli]

This is on my "trim the tbr" so it will be a matter of fate if I get to it this year.

I noticed it got mixed reviews, some loved it and others did not or were lukewarm.

Great review, thanks for sharing!

[[deleted user]]

Love your review!! I have been thinking on this book and after reading yet another good and in-depth review I am adding it to my list.

[Kimber]

I'll be reading Exit West in February for a March book club discussion. Based on yours and other reviews, it looks like this book will make for a good discussion - the books people either really like or really dislike usually make for the best discussions.

[Holly R W]

Booknblues wrote: "I loved this book. I loved Hamid's writing and would read a book just for his voice. This made the top 10 of the year for me when I read it.

I've read true stories about refugees in Syria and his ..."

Now that I've read this book, I would like to read another one by Hamid. His writing style is unique. I liked how he wove current events of our times into a story which then took off in its own direction. I can not help thinking that "Exit West" is a cautionary tale about what can happen to our democracies and common values when so many people are refugees and are not well received. We are living in turbulent times.

[Holly R W]

Susie wrote: "I loved this book. He’s on my list of must read authors."

The best part of the book for me was reading about Saeed (so gentle) and Nadia (so genuine and strong). I found Hamid's description of a dystopian future to be alarming. I will have to read other books by him. He made quite an impression.

[Holly R W]

Meli wrote: "This is on my "trim the tbr" so it will be a matter of fate if I get to it this year.

I noticed it got mixed reviews, some loved it and others did not or were lukewarm.

Great review, thanks for..."

Thank you so much. I like writing reviews, as it helps crystallize my thoughts. The book is provocative. Maybe, this is why it has gotten mixed reviews.

[Holly R W]

Rachel wrote: "Love your review!! I have been thinking on this book and after reading yet another good and in-depth review I am adding it to my list."

Thank you! It's a book that made me think, which is always appreciated. The story is very timely to today's world. I'll be interested in your reactions when you read it.

[Holly R W]

Kimber wrote: "I'll be reading Exit West in February for a March book club discussion. Based on yours and other reviews, it looks like this book will make for a good discussion - the books people either really li..."

I would like to discuss this book with other people, myself. You are bound to have an interesting discussion.

[Susie]

Holly, I have read The Reluctant Fundamentalist which I also thoroughly enjoyed. It’s very different to Exit West in style, and it didn’t quite reach the heights of Exit West for me, but it’s definitely a worthy read.

[Holly R W]

Susie wrote: "Holly, I have read The Reluctant Fundamentalist which I also thoroughly enjoyed. It’s very different to Exit West in style, and it didn’t quite reach the heights of Exit West for me, but it’s defin..."

Thank you, I will try it.