Urban fantasy in the Middle East, with hackers, revolution, and jinn. Completely worth reading for the different worldview and feel, so different from anything I've read in ages. But the ending was a bit abrupt (not unsatisfying, just felt like there were a few chapters missing) and that came close to dropping the rating down to three stars. I gave it the benefit of the doubt, for how much I enjoyed the non-western viewpoint.

I liked it but needed an editor. Too long in places, and too much monologuing.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. It brings together some bits of reality in the Middle East, but is still light enough to just enjoy as a work of fiction. Alif is clever, interesting, and a bit socially unsure, a computer geek through and through. His relationship with Dina is a bit cliche, but his friends are also interesting and diverse, New Quarter in particular. Dina herself is a strong, intelligent character, who is religious, but open to other layers in life. I love the way the Sheikh and Vikram are written, some of their lines made me laugh out loud. The whole idea of the jinn and the Alf Yeom is interesting, and adds a dimension to what would be a political adventure story, not usually my taste. Alif sounds older than he's meant to be in the story, but I think this gives credit to the author, who makes him a believable good guy without being too idealistic or cynical as the story progresses. There were some pieces missing at the end, such as what happened to the all important Alf Yeom, the marid's book, and the convert's baby? Loose ends might mean a sequel, but I probably wouldn't rush out to get that. Still it was a good weekend read.

Alif the Unseen is nothing if not unique. In part a fantasy world where The Thousand and One Days is a book that belongs to the jinn, the book has an urban fantasy flair to it. But it is also part sociopolitical commentary in the form of Alif, a hacktivist who finds himself caught in the middle of a rising rebellion against his state in the Middle East.

The books prologue started off with a strong fantasy vibe and then it backed off when it jumps to the present. It seemed a little odd with the way the book was set up and I would have liked to get more in depth into the fantasy aspect of the book.

I thought the character were well crafted (except Intisar, Alif's love interest - I could have done without her entirely) and believable. The story was entertaining and eye-opening all at once. The novel explores aspects of the Arabic world from religion to their views on Americans (though I did feel some of this was stereotypically contrived) and the effect of social media on the ability to organize and rebel against a goverment.

Definitely an interesting read. I'm glad I read it, but I'm wasn't completely enamored by it.

I loved this book! It had all the elements essential for an engrossing read - well-developed characters that develop throughout the story, a story line that forces the characters to face philosophies, traditions, views on life, and their feelings, and enough action to keep the pages turning. Alif is a young Arab-Indian hacker who indiscriminately protects anyone who needs anonymity with his programming skill. He falls in love with a wealthy young woman and develops a program that can recognize her by the language she uses, they way she types, her word choices, etc. "The Hand," who leads state censorship, acquires the program and Alif has to go on the run to avoid capture, torture, and death. Alif, along with a neighbor girl, falls in with a population of jinns, afrits, and geniies who help him, exasperate him, and force him to examine his lack of belief in the Quran, his abandonment of Islam, how he perceives his own worth, and his feelings for the women in his life. The characters move between the real world of the Arab spring, the unreal world of the jinn, and the unreal world of a world in revolution. The worlds that Wilson creates are rich and textured; you can almost smell the curry and falafel at the street vendors. The book was a good balance of philosophy and action and I was sorry to see it end.

This isn't a book I would normally pick up for myself but The Mary Sue book club is reading it for March and I joined in. I'm glad I read it, it was surprising and interesting. Alif the Unseen is about ordinary people who get caught up in a rush to protect a special object from those who would misuse it.

This is a contemporary fantasy with an excellent set of characters who respect one another and experience a change in perspective. Wilson created a rich setting in the real, online and jinn worlds. She was able to put together a story where multiple religious and philosophical orientations can coexist peacefully, which is a feat that always leaves me feeling comfortable and satiated. I come away feeling like I can bring this sense of wholeness and diversity to my day-to-day perspective.

I found myself lost and uninterested when the main character went into long explanations of his coding activities. I'm not sure if it wasn't accessible in laymen's terms or if it's just something that I couldn't bring myself to focus on. I'm interested to know how theoretically accurate the coding is in the book.

I would recommend this book to lovers of stories where fantasy blends seamlessly with the contemporary world and to people who enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a variety of characters with diverse motivations and beliefs.

Hmmm. So, this book was an enjoyable read--once Vikram came into the picture. It was very slow up to that point. Maybe part of that is due to the fact that Vikram was far and away the best character; maybe part of it is from the fact that he's the first real 'occult' member of the story. Either way, s l o w up to that point.

Sometimes it felt like plot threads just kind of fell away, or dissolved into nothing, and it also felt like some actions were happening for the sake of actions happening. I wasn't super into it; I wish she'd gone for depth over breadth.

I also reeeeeeeeally didn't like Alif. I don't really think he grew as a person or underwent much character development beyond "switched the girl he was in love with." I think the *nature* of each girl is supposed to represent his personal growth, but I also don't think I'm super into the implication of that statement.

Overall: it was different and fun, but I don't know how into the idea of "a white woman who converted to Islam while attending BU writes an Eastern narrative that kind of takes a crap on Western narrative" I am.

Pacing issues mar this book, but in spite of that it manages to be thrilling and very moving in parts.

A really enjoyable book which has everything: hacking, rebellion, djinni, and a beautifully realized setting based in a Muslim society.

“When Alif comes into possession of a mysterious book, He discovers a door into another world”

At first glance this book sounded like a Middle Eastern version of Harry Potter travelling to Narnia, fighting giant sand snakes and looking for an Indiana Jones sacred relic. To some extents it is exactly that.

It begins by introducing Alif a modern day computer hacker, concealing the identity of his numerous clients. His clientele ranges from pornographers in Saudi Arabia to mere bloggers in Egypt. Being of a half Indian heritage, which was considered him as a lower class compared to his full Arab blooded inhabitants, Alif gave his protection to anyone who could afford to pay for it.

Alongside this technological battle with the government, a more cultural and spiritual journey is being explored. Alif is struggling between the lines in district, which separate rich from poor, and also him for his beloved. In spite of they’re separation he sends a token of their first night. In response she sends him the “Alf Yeom”, a historical book written hundreds of years ago by those of the unseen (Jinn).

The author seems to present two contrasting concepts, a modern computer generation and historic culture, in a very harmonious way. I loved how Wilson portrayed the beauty of the veil and the mystery it held when Alif was trying to figure out the expressions and thoughts of his female counterparts. She also every so often says something so very thought provoking it cant help but make me share it, for example “But you banu Adam are always messing with delicate things and transgressing boundaries”. Through her writing I feel she is challenging the problems with society, in particular here how mankind is always messing with boundaries in relation to the world of the seen and unseen.

Wilson’s writing is also very influenced by Islamic context and history. One of my personal favourite references is when she distinguishes between the Arabic and English meaning of “Atom”. An argument presented by a American convert discusses how a word form the Quran translates into “atom” in English, even though there was no such thing as atoms in the 6th century. Here she cleverly showcases the beauty and the miracles created by the Quran in such a simple format.

Overall it was a very well written book focusing on a lot of different worlds (literally) and combining them beautifully with the help of just one book.