Carole's Monday: A golden age

 

Author: Tahmima Anam 

Title: A Golden Age

(Bangla Desh #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Harcover

Pages: 276

Published: 2007

Where I Got It: My shelf (Pamida)

Summary: 

Set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence, A Golden Age is a story of passion and revolution, of hope, faith and unexpected heroism. The first volume in a planned trilogy.

As young widow Rehana Haque awakes one March morning, she might be forgiven for feeling happy. Today she will throw a party for her son and daughter. In the garden of the house she has built, her roses are blooming, her children are almost grown, and beyond their doorstep, the city is buzzing with excitement after recent elections. Change is in the air.

But none of the guests at Rehana's party can foresee what will happen in the days and months ahead. For this is 1971 in East Pakistan, a country on the brink of war. And this family's life is about to change forever.

Set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence, A Golden Age is a story of passion and revolution, of hope, faith and unexpected heroism. In the chaos of this era, everyone—from student protesters to the country's leaders, from rickshaw'wallahs to the army's soldiers—must make choices. And as she struggles to keep her family safe, Rehana will be forced to face a heartbreaking dilemma. This is the first volume of a planned trilogy.

Review:

Years ago (maybe 2008 or 2009) I picked this bad boy up at the local store when I was a teen. It's been so long that the store isn't even there anymore. Finally decided enough was enough and to get myself to read it because of the TBR challenge I'm part of.

This is set during the Bangladesh War of Independence. Rehana Haque is a young widow with children. She decides to throw a party for her son and daughter. Outside the party the city is buzzing with excitement after the recent elections. Change is in air! However, East Pakistan is on the brink of war and her and her family's lives are about to change forever. 

This started off really good. I was hooked. I was scared for the family and for the country. I couldn't stop reading!!! 

And then we got to the middle point and I was.............tired. I was ready for this to end.

I know, I know...that sounds bad. 

Not sure what changed for me. I soon found myself wanting to skim to just get to the end and find out what happens. I was still invested in the characters and their fates, but I was ready for the answer. It started feeling like a history book. Don't get me wrong...I like a good history book, BUT when I want one or I'm feeling like researching a topic. I fee like this got stuck on the details and feel flat.

I skimmed through Goodreads and there are so many people who love this and there is a small grouping of people who didn't. 

Gah. I wish I had loved this! 

In the end, it wasn't horrible or boring. I enjoyed our characters and I had been hooked for nearly half, but then it got too hooked on the details and started reading like a history book. I'll give this 2 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):

- TBR Reading Challenge (#2)