Fatima Bhutto

[b:The Runaways|40545831|The Runaways|Fatima Bhutto|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530697464l/40545831._SY75_.jpg|62958962] follows three young people: a boy and a girl growing up in Karachi and a boy growing up in Portsmouth. As they grow into early twenties their lives intersect via involvement with ISIS - at least I think it's ISIS? I mean the Islamic fundamentalist insurgency in Iraq in 2017, which may have had a different name. The reader probably gets deepest into the point of view of Sunny, the one brought up in Portsmouth. He rebels against his father's expectations and his own sexuality. Least well developed is Monty the rich boy, who doesn't have much personality beyond his obsession with his girlfriend. Possibly the wealth of his family meant he never needed to develop one? The third protagonist, Anita, is also rather enigmatic as Monty's view of her seem so different to her own chapters.

My overall impression is of an atmospheric yet muddled novel. Perhaps it was intended to demonstrate the incoherent and confused way that young muslims can end up radicialised? Sunny's social media use is interesting in this regard, while the paths taken by Monty and Anita receive very little explanation. I enjoyed the vividness of the settings and thought Sunny's voice was strong, but was ultimately left a bit puzzled. I saw the ending coming yet it neither resolved nor explained anything. Maybe I was missing something.… (more)

The Shadow of the Crescent Moon was a great fictional read for those interested in stories that connect.

The setting of this novel, Afghanistan, is a setting I do not know much about. The author did an incredible job of describing the setting and life in Afghanistan during the American invasion. I felt fully engrossed with the characters Fatima Bhutto introduced and I felt the need to continue reading this book. I was invested in this novel.

However, I did find this novel rather boring. There wasn't much action or adventure in this fictional novel. It moved incredibly slowly, and when the "action" did hit I was expecting it. There wasn't any twists or turns that left me grasping on for more. It seemed to just be a quality, "normal" fiction novel. There was nothing that made it stand out to me, other than the incredible setting.

I did enjoy this novel, I just felt like it didn't leave me feeling like "wow, I need to read more books by Fatima Bhutto immediately". The novel left me feeling like I gained a little more knowledge on Afghanistan and could now put this book on my shelf.

Fatima Bhutto did an incredible job writing, and I do like this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a calm fiction read or anyone who is interested in Afghanistan in fiction.

Three out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.… (more)