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Reviews by Muneeb

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The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Novel
by Laura Lippman

Review of "The Girl in the Green Raincoat" (10/31/2010)

This book seems to be an outline of a story set in Baltimore. The tale progresses with abrupt announcements of developments, but there is no story development. Quite simply, the writing is poor.
This was my introduction to Laura Lippman's fiction. Since the cover reads, "A Tess Monaghan Novel," it appears to be a series. I wouldn't recommend this title to anyone.

The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise: A Novel
by Julia Stuart

Good weekend read (8/15/2010)

Having enjoyed "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" and "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," I was pleased with this story, too, as this storytelling style is entertaining. Stuart's novel progresses at a comfortable pace, and includes serious, touching, and amusing adventures.

Secret Daughter: A Novel
by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Review of Shilpi Somaya Gowda's "Secret Daughter" (1/16/2010)

The characters confront infanticide, violence, poverty, childlessness, infertility, adoption, illness, loss, and marital problems. I think the story and the writing are a bit elementary and uninspired. I recommend this book to those who like to learn how people live in other parts of the world.

A Girl Made of Dust
by Nathalie Abi-Ezzi

A Girl Made of Dust (5/2/2009)

Good writing and good storytelling. Told from a child's point of view, war is a main character. A quick read, with lingering impressions.

The Weight of a Mustard Seed: The Intimate Story of an Iraqi General and His Family During Thirty Years of Tyranny
by Wendell Steavenson

Recommended (3/3/2009)

I recommend this book to all who are interested in world history. Steavenson uses her skills as a journalist and historian to tell the story of an Iraqi general, his family, and the people and the land behind the headlines.

The Toss of a Lemon
by Padma Viswanathan

An incredible read (8/17/2008)

This was an incredible read. Viswanathan's writing is good writing: informed, tight, vivid. It's a rich, beautiful, and poetic epic story. I recommend this historical novel to all who enjoy the heft of a great piece of literature.

A Case of Exploding Mangoes
by Mohammed Hanif

Highly recommended creative historical fiction (5/7/2008)

I think this novel is a brilliant addition to the era following Suleri's "Meatless Days," and Rushdie's novels.

While Hanif writes about loyalty to family, country, and friendship, he also writes about military life in post-colonial Pakistan, decades-long conspiracies, and the politics of Third World and First World interactions.

This is historical fiction, with both comedic (stereotypes, dark humor) and serious (nations and outlaws with weapons) events. It's a reminder of how the past speaks to the present, including both the familiar and the frightening characters from international history.

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