Masterful ... There were moments when I...felt like I could not survive this book. But I did, and now it is one of my favorite books ... The book has a refreshing dearth of simile and metaphor — the poetry is in the things, not like the things ... Khabushani trusts his reader.
Heartbreaking ... Khabushani writes movingly about K’s queer coming-of-age and his burgeoning identity as a writer ... Khabushani provides meaningful historical context for the pain passed down through these generations.
Tender and gut-wrenching ... A tightly constructed three-act drama ... The first act builds beautifully ... While the use of Persian words in an English text is part of a larger conversation about language, I’m wary of style at the expense of clarity and efficiency ... These are small gripes about a book of astonishing accomplishment and bravery. To transport someone so convincingly into their own worst nightmare is a tall order, and Khabushani has done it with such a widely shared bogeyman. This book is a triumph.
Beautiful ... Khabushani renders K’s experiences in poignant vignettes that speak to the young boy’s sensitivity as he dreams of a better, albeit uncertain future. This heartrending tale will stay with readers.
