Bailey's/Orange Women's Fiction Group discussion

This one has finally made it to be one of our group reads - it s a new author to me - all welcome to add their thoughts!

Picked this up from the library this weekend and am really enjoying it so far. Think it will offer much to discuss.

I liked this one. It is unusual with a lot of different threads mixed together, teen romance and coming of age story, modern high tech geeky computer stuff, a middle eastern setting, some magic realism or fantasy elements, an impossibly sinister pantomime villain and a bit of moralising. I dithered a bit about how to rate it, because it could have been a bit of a mish-mash of too many different teenage males' wet dreams written by a middle aged mum, but in the end I decided that all the different elements did work together and gave it the full five stars.

Ok, another great Val recommendation - yes, you are right though - it shouldn't work, but it does.

My copy has just come from the library - it looks slightly wacky to be honest!!

Val wrote: "I liked this one. It is unusual with a lot of different threads mixed together, teen romance and coming of age story, modern high tech geeky computer stuff, a middle eastern setting, some magic rea..."
Great review. I enjoyed reading Alif even though I am not usually a fan of magical realism. I thought the gentle knocks, scattered here and there, at Western Civilization were amusing and made sense when I read somewhere that the author was an Islam convert.
"Is it about bored, tired people having sex? Then it's Western."

I am about halfway through this. Not really a fan of magic realism either, but I like the sly humour too. I've spent a fair amount of time in the middle east over the years and I think she really captures the attitudes perfectly.

Just finished reading this. Have to admit that it pushed me a little out of my comfort zone in terms of genre, but I really did enjoy it. I loved the characters, really cared about them and would certainly read more by this author.

Susan wrote: "Just finished reading this. Have to admit that it pushed me a little out of my comfort zone in terms of genre, but I really did enjoy it. I loved the characters, really cared about them and would..."

Exactly my thoughts Susan - definitely not my comfort zone - I am just over halfway through. I have put down Americanah (I usually have 2 books on the go) but if I had a choice I wouldnt read this one!!! It s not that its bad its just not what I would normally choose and so I have to be disciplined and stick to one! It is very original writing.

I am about 3/4 through and I am struggling - I don't care enough about the characters. It was always going to be a difficult book for me but I have managed the first half alright but am going more and more slowly through the second half!
anyone else still reading?

I have been having internet issues, Penny, so haven't been on Goodreads much. I really did enjoy this, although it wasn't a genre I like to be honest. However, I would certainly read something else by this author. Where are you up to? Has Alif got to the mosque yet? I thought the book really took off at that point, so perhaps you need to keep going :)

I finished it long ago and did like it even though I'm not a fantasy fan. I was pulling for the two main characters. I doubt I will read anything further from this author. There are too many other authors and genres of books to explore.

They have escaped, been to the Empty Quarter etc and I have about 50 pages left - I really have dragged on through it - too many odd creatures mixed in with computer geekiness - not me at all!

This book was one of my recommendations and I'm sorry some of you found it a chore to read. The subject matter is unusual / weird.
I like magic realism more than straight fantasy and I would class this one as the former, because the magical or fantasy elements are mixed in with relatively normal life. The human characters seemed like realistic teenagers to me and I could relate to them and their feelings. The djinn and empty quarter added a magical dimension without taking away the human story.

I would agree with you Val - I thought the human story worked well enough to make you care about the characters, almost despite the magical element of the storyline. I didn't struggle with the book and, although I am not keen on fantasy, I have enjoyed books with elements of fantasy in them - there was one set in London with a sort of paranormal police storyline (Ben Aaronovitch?) which I liked. It's good sometimes to read something different from your usual choices although I do know when I definitely won't like something. I really liked the setting of this novel too.

Yes, that was a good one.
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch.
There is a whole series of books, but I never got around to reading any more of them.

I promise no more fantasy book recommendations in this group. (They do not appear on lists for general literary prizes very often.)

Don't apologise, Val. I liked it a lot - in fact I got it from the library, but seeing it cheap on kindle I downloaded it as I think I will re-read it at some time.

Val, Susan is right, don't apologise. We need to expand our horizons or we become rigid, narrow minded old farts. I may be an old fart but I want to always be curious about the world.
Rivers of London sounds interesting. It's now on my "to read list" which is really, really long.

Loved your comment Diane - ooh heaven forbid we become 'old farts!!!!'

I finished this YAY!!!! I really struggled with this one but I knew I would as I really dont do magical creatures etc very well. I am glad I have read it and parts were interesting but overall it didnt work for me at all - unlike Susan, Val and Diane. Probably just 2 stars for me. Although it was an original idea it sort of got muddied for me with genies, odd alleys, walking through walls into other worlds - all a bit reminiscent of Harry Potter ( and I havent even read HP but I wanted the book not to do things that were copied). Very different from any other books on the list though.