Omar Abid

My third time reading this and it might have been my favourite. Absolutely fantastic. Accidentally (but perfectly) timed before seeing the Extended Editions at the cinema.

This one was a grind. I expected a ‘tense psychological thriller’ about a kidnapping but it was mostly repetitive boardroom meetings. Without much plot progression the cultural differences also became harder to understand. I won’t be reading volume two.

A great description of a society under oppression but there was a slightly comic tone to it. It didn’t put me off hugely and maybe it was a translation issue but it did feel a little incongruous.

@randomronil Thanks. I’ve heard the series is good. I’ll wait a while until I’ve had a little distance from the book and check it out.

@omarstandup The TV show on Prime is worth a watch

Like most sci-fi this is a bit derivative/generic but still an entertaining, if unsurprising, read. Might try the next one but not sure it’ll be worth all 9 books in the series.

@SarahWhatman Thank you! I’ll take a look at Burnt Shadows.🙏

@omarstandup This is a fantastic book. If you haven’t already read it, I recommend Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie. P.S. We are missing MAFSHysteria already. 😥

Excellent. Epic but still immensely readable. Intimate familial characterisation while also touching on history & politics. Will read again (next time when less distracted by podcasting).

I really appreciated the artistic skill of its predecessor but this one is even better. Far more plot driven and gripping as a consequence.

Gets better every time I read it.

That the world depicted has become more recognisable since this was written (to the point where the story was a little predictable) is scary and depressing. Very good.

Much more magical realism than I’d anticipated when I bought this on a whim. I always struggle with that style (Bakelite robots raising an infant cyclops who has a corkscrew penis?!) but there was just enough plot for it not to drag.

Perfect for when I was on a plane (not intended as a backhanded compliment).

@southcott_laura Thanks for asking! There are some plans in the works but probably won’t be doing much until later in the year.🙏

@omarstandup Hi, are you doing any more podcasts or giving it a break since you've stopped MAFS Hysteria? 😭

Very good. The interconnected characters did make it feel a bit like a TV drama but it’s extremely readable.

A few people had told me this was too slow but it exceeded my expectations especially as it’s a period of history I’ve not had much interest in. It does require some concentration but the dream-like writing is excellent. Looking forward to the next part.

It was ok but quite over written. Definitely epic but as a story ‘based on true events’ I was left wondering which bits had been exaggerated or invented.

@jolawrence11 I’m still away! Just in a place with free WiFi and wanted to add to my ‘completed’ list of books before I forgot. I’ll be back in a few days.🙏

@omarstandup Are you back? Hope you had a great trip.

My MIL dropped this round for me unsolicited as she knew I’d read the first two. I suppose it did fill an awkward gap between my previous book and taking another one away with me. It’s the same as it’s predecessors. It’s fine.🤷🏾‍♂️

An engrossing and sometimes disturbing (record bidding war for the ‘mizuage’?!!) insight in a world I didn’t know much about. I can see why it’s been so popular.

Exactly what I thought they’d be: a bit twee but entertaining/diverting enough to stop me being glued to my phone during podcast season.