Brick Lane by Monica Ali Book Review

Synopsis from Amazon:

Still in her teenage years, Nazneen finds herself in an arranged marriage with a disappointed man who is twenty years older. Away from the mud and heat of her Bangladeshi village, home is now a cramped flat in a high-rise block in London's East End. Nazneen knows not a word of English, and is forced to depend on her husband. But unlike him she is practical and wise, and befriends a fellow Asian girl Razia, who helps her understand the strange ways of her adopted new British home.

Nazneen keeps in touch with her sister Hasina back in the village. But the rebellious Hasina has kicked against cultural tradition and run off in a 'love marriage' with the man of her dreams. When he suddenly turns violent, she is forced into the degrading job of garment girl in a cloth factory.

Confined in her flat by tradition and family duty, Nazneen also sews furiously for a living, shut away with her buttons and linings - until the radical Karim steps unexpectedly into her life. On a background of racial conflict and tension, they embark on a love affair that forces Nazneen finally to take control of her fate.

My Review:

I chose this book as a precursor to our London Trip over the Thanksgiving holidays.  I found it on a list somewhere on the internet (could not reproduce that link if I tried, perhaps part of the issue :P), but do not feel it was well suited for a first time London trip, mostly focused on the main city sights.  In fact, we did venture through Brick Lane one evening (as part of a Jack the Ripper tour) and were haggled by the bouncers, pushing us and offering discounts to eat in their restaurant.  Word of advice, don’t venture to Brick Lane in London without a restaurant recommendation, perhaps try something that doesn't have bouncers, go for the authentic experience … if there is one!

Back to the book and leaving behind the initial purpose for reading the book…. I still really struggled with this book.  It took a good 75% of the book to have any action; it wasn't until the very end I was compelled to keep reading to learn Nazneen’s choice.  There are large sections in the book that are letters written by Nazneen’s sister, Hasina in broken English.  As I reported previously, it was difficult to make my way through these passages.  At first it’s a nice touch, drawing you into the situation more, but after two letters or so of struggling to understand the real meaning, it’s insufferable.  Within the first extended section of Hasina’s letters, my progress through the book really slowed down.   

The book did have some highlights.  The style of writing Ali uses to describe the love relationship between Nazneen and Karim was unexpectedly beautiful.  The build up to their ‘union’ (so PC!), and the release of their hidden emotions (ugh, I’m terrible!) was poetically written without being cheeky (ha!) or slimy (it was an affair after all!).  I also really appreciated Ali’s development of Nazneen’s first daughter, Shahana, who reminded me of me. I was such a brat to my parents as a child and I wholly admit I had the ‘first child of immigrant parents’ syndrome (perhaps sometimes I still do :)), but I related to this young girl.  I wanted to hug her and tell her that while it sucks, it gets better and that she always had a confidant in me.  I’d like to think I would have sheltered her, protected her from making a regrettable choice.  On the other hand, who are we if we don’t learn from our mistakes and regrets? AH, life…

So, in all … well, shouldn't be a surprise, but I don’t recommend this book whether you are heading to London for the first time or are looking for a new book to read. It’s too slow and heavy for a light-hearted beach-read as well.  

Do you read books before going on vacation to prepare?  This is a relatively recent thing for me and so far I haven't chosen wisely.  How do you pick a book for an upcoming trip?