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Brick Lane
 
Brick Lane
Author: Monica Ali

Book Information
Publisher: Scribner
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780743243315 - ISBN-10: 0743243315
Pages: 432


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio CD (Abridged)

Book Description:
After an arranged marriage to Chanu, a man twenty years older, Nazneen is taken to London, leaving her home and heart in the Bangladeshi village where she was born. Her new world is full of mysteries. How can she cross the road without being hit by a car (an operation akin to dodging raindrops in the monsoon)? What is the secret of her bullying neighbor Mrs. Islam? What is a Hell's Angel? And how must she comfort the na‹ve and disillusioned Chanu?

As a good Muslim girl, Nazneen struggles to not question why things happen. She submits, as she must, to Fate and devotes herself to her husband and daughters. Yet to her amazement, she begins an affair with a handsome young radical, and her erotic awakening throws her old certainties into chaos.

Monica Ali's splendid novel is about journeys both external and internal, where the marvellous and the terrifying spiral together.

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Top Member Book Reviews

Marta J. (booksnob) wrote on 2/26/2006...

6 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a superb book. You really feel deeply for the characters. I was glad that it was on the lenghty side as I didn't want it to end.

Sari Lynn G. (sari-lynn) - San Francisco, CA wrote on 11/3/2006...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

The story centers around a Bangladeshi woman living in London in an arranged marriage, and her sister back home, who has married for love. An interesting contrast of the two lives, the choices that one makes and the other doesn't. Rich characterizations.

Jennifer B. (jenjen) wrote on 11/30/2006...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

The first half of this book was great but the second half really dragged.

Lori M. wrote on 7/29/2006...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Interesting story about a young Pakistani girl who moves to London after an arranged marriage with a much older man. I found the main character somewhat hard to connect with.

Suzanne C. (Suzanimals) wrote on 4/18/2006...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

This a fascinating book about a young Bangladeshi woman, Nazneen, who is married to a much older Bangladeshi man, and how she adjusts to life with him in London. At first she is not permitted to do much, even leave the apartment, and at the same time receives letters from her sister in Dhaka who is facing limited options as a Muslim woman, too. Nazneed eventually empowers herself to navigate her neighborhood, learn English and take her own job, at the same time falls in love/lust with a young Muslim radical who wants to organize jihad in their community post 9/11.

I really enjoyed this book and I felt I really had a good sense of an immigrant woman's life, and all that it entails.

Kristin M. (MissKristin66) wrote on 1/3/2006...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

A brilliant, spicy story of longing and obligation. Characters are thoroughly original, and at times quite funny!

Jody F. (writetime) wrote on 4/9/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize (Britain's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize in the USA), this novel is a poignant and right-on reflection of the difficulty of acclimating into a new society and culture. After an arranged marriage to Chanu, a man 20 years older, Nazneen is taken to London, after having left her home and heart in the Bangladeshi village where she was born.

Marie P. wrote on 2/19/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

An intense look into the Muslin world of women and how they survive.

Kirsten W. (wardbunch) wrote on 11/5/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Slow going, but worthy reading. I enjoyed the cultural aspect of a Bengali Muslim immigrant in London.

Linda S. (labluvver) wrote on 3/26/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

THis is a wonderful story of a woman who settles in London with her husband after an arranged marriage. The change from her home in Bangladesh makes this a fascinating clash of cultures, especially with regard to her daughters. A joy to read!


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Connie (jazzysmom) - IL wrote on 11/9/2009...


Nazneen is taken to London after an arranged marriage to a man twenty years older. She has never been away from Bangladesh since birth. All things are new to her here. This is a heatfelt read and funny, and sad and an eye opening experience to read these pages. She will begin an affair with a handsome young man and she will have an erotic awakening that will throw her into much chaos. I liked this novel and found it worth my time i spent with it.


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