3.25/5

Anisa, a young Pakistani woman living in London, is in a bit of a slump. She has a crummy job subtitling Bollywood films, a boyfriend she doesn't care much for and an allowance from her wealthy parents. But she has big dreams, she wants to become a famous translator. When her lame white boyfriend suddenly learns to speak Urdu like a native in a week she confronts him and discovers the root of his linguistical success: an exclusive, expensive, invite only learning program known as The Center. And just like that her life is changed. But not everything is at it seems at The Center and Anisa will have to reckon the truth behind the program's sucess.

I enjoyed this book more when it was about Anisa, as a person, an immigrant, a young woman, and less when it focused on the mystery of The Center. I pretty much saw the big twist coming. The writing was quite earnest and sincere and I liked Anisa as the protagonist. I could relate to her struggles and to feeling like her life wasn't what she had envisioned. The descriptions were quite good too and the plot flowed nicely but it lost me at 70% or so. I did finish it, I just felt like the ending was rushed. Overall a great debut that I would recommend for anyone looking for something different to read.

I think I was probably pre-programmed to enjoy this book. I sought out a copy of this on NetGalley (many thanks) after reading the author’s essay on Translation in Violent Phenomena. The beginning considerations on translation immediately gripped me, especially as I have read the same essay that the protagonist was contemplating on the translation of “Maman est morte”.

I rushed though the first half of the book because the premise was so fun, and the writing so humorous. I enjoyed the talk about adapting to life in London, also the intricacies of her relationship with Adam. I particularly liked the perspective switch when Adam confronts her after their trip to Karachi. The layering of cultural insensitivities and individual insensitivities. I also really enjoyed her observations about female friendships. Why do we not celebrate the milestones in these relationships, that are sometimes so crucial in our lives?

The second half of the book dragged a little bit more for me, especially as it seemed to move away from the initial premise slightly. It seemed to lose sight of the fact it was a language learning tool and moved on to be it being more about legacy. I felt the focus on language was lost, which for me was the big appeal of the book. I was also getting slightly confused as I was struggling to work out the time periods in which the action was taking place. For instance, the way it was described the period in Delhi felt like it was a significant time period, it described them building habits and relationships, but I think it was only suppose to be about a week.

I really enjoyed the end and the self referential element. Although again, I found the timeframes and lack of urgency slightly confusing. It felt maybe like it was trying to cover too many themes.

Still it was a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone, especially anyone interested in multilingualism, and I would definitely be keen to read any future books from this author.

I was excited to read this book, especially based on the premise and its focus on language, identity, and appropriation. Unfortunately, I did find the passages a bit on the nose, and the ending felt rushed. For me, the strongest sections were the Pakistan flashbacks and Anisa's first stay at The Centre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for giving me an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was an interesting read. There were times where the language used had me captivated and it was stirring. At other points, it felt stagnant and the characters seemed to remain solitary in their positions in life with little change. I would have liked to see more growth by the end.

I enjoyed the concept and the mystery of the story and would recommend this to a friend.

This was an fantastic debut and nothing like I've read before. Funny and sad at times but a really great story that is well written with lots of sass and character. Brilliant xx

I’m sorry for my crass language, but this book was badass. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite so unique in the last few years. I took so much from this book. It was fun, I was educated, I escaped into someone else’s life. It was wonderful.

I wanted to enjoy this one but I found the plot, story, and characterizations hard to follow and not really resonate the best for me at times.

a book with (somewhat) accurate representation where the author isn't moaning about the country 24/7? YES PLS!!!!

This was a very interesting read, and I was well on my way to giving it 5 stars but there were just 3 things that got me; the way Anisa talked about Darzi Tez in a really misogynistic way, the way the author badmouthed Lahore for no reason, and that EXTREMELY unsatisfying ending. apart from that, however, it was a treat to read.

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for the digital ARC!

I breezed through this book in one evening, which is definitely a compliment to the author's well-flowing, immersive writing style, because reading 300-page books in one sitting isn't something my ADHD brain can do often. I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and the clear, strong voice of the narrator/protagonist, that I just fell into it immediately and didn't want to come up for air.

The thing is, literally the first half of this book is dedicated to what we already know from the summary. I don't fault the book for that, I know authors probably don't get to choose what goes into those summaries. But once the book moved past what I already knew was going to happen, the plot completely stopped being coherent. The author touched on a lot of really cool ideas and themes, but none of it came together in a way that was satisfying or made sense to me. And there were random plot points added in as well that just didn't matter to the story whatsoever, and yeah the second half was just too messy. So ultimately I was disappointed.

TLDR: The premise of this book was so fascinating and original, and I sped through the first half dying to find out what was going to happen. But then what happened was just... kinda dumb.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zando Projects, and Ayesha for this eARC.

My rating for this book is 4.5/5 stars; the only thing I missed is some more substance to the ending.

I often fear I've read just about every possible crime/mystery premise, and while I know this is an irrational fear, I'm still thrilled whenever a story truly surprises me, and this one definitely did.

This novel tells a story of a young Pakistani translator, an immigrant in London, who is somewhat lost in her life and sometimes in her values. After a long romantic relationship, her partner tells her about a seemingly magical language school and gives her an opportunity to experience it for herself. Doubtful, she enters the world of mystery she can't truly comprehend on her own, but all is revealed through her friendship with the school's manager.

I loved the complexity of Anisa, the main character. She is one of the most realistic women I've read: feminist and class conscious, yet comfortable in some aspects of the system she lives in; leaning to the selfish side, yet selfless when needed. Through her, the novel discuses the intricacy of language(s) and their involvement in our comprehension of the world, feminist, race and class issues, and everyday confusion about one's place in the world.

The plot is compelling, with some unexpected twists to spice it up and send chills down the spine, and the atmosphere detailed and layered: modern, sleek world, so close to the old and whimsical.

I cannot wait to see the released book and will definitely recommend it to everyone in need of some mystery.

This was such a good book! As a multilingual person, I can relate to so much in this book.

The book is about Anisa who is a translator of Bollywood movies. She feels unfulfilled in her career. While dating Adam - a fellow translator who speaks many languages completely fluently - she finds out about The Centre, an intensive language training school. In 10 days you are guaranteed native fluency, IF you follow the protocol exactly. There is complete secrecy surrounding the Centre.

The book contains a lot of interesting observations about language and identity, as well as about the immigrant experience. Anisa has lived in the UK for a long time, but there is still a sense of otherness.

Of course this is fiction, and as I read it, I obviously found myself wondering how exactly this language training was meant to work. I don't want to spoil anything, but the great reveal was really quite something. Not what I expected (at all!) but sure. That's a great story. I was really wondering what the author had in mind, and this was a really interesting idea, tying in the backgrounds of the 4 founders.

I read a LOT and this was a really different and original book. Well done!! I can't wait to read more from Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for providing a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.

WOW I could not put this down. Literary thriller with a touch of horror, but mostly postcolonial commentary and excellent st0rytelling. It'll be a hard one to describe because I don't want to give much away, but I will be recommending this as a propulsive summer read with fabulous narrative voice and structure.