A review by fawzul
The Coin by Yasmin Zaher

dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“There is a logic to organizing. Everything has its place, even the tiniest scrap fits in a closed ecosystem. There is no excess, the mosquito is as essential as the chimney, the tea bag will be reborn an eagle. Even the shekel is a native of this earth, mined from the depths of Chile or Utah. Sorting brought me comfort, order is relief.”

reminiscent of han kang’s the vegetarian, the novel takes us through a descent of gradual madness and decline in the heart of new york city. the coin explores an obsession of cleanliness and glamour, filth and  wilderness, through a luxury bag heist to an eclectic classroom and an apartment submerged in dirt. what does it mean to have a body that is yours in a body that isn’t? i enjoyed this read more than i thought i would.