The Occasional Virgin

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The Occasional Virgin (2018, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC)

Eldonita je 14-a de junio 2018 de Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.

ISBN:
978-1-4088-9573-3
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3 steloj (1 recenzo)

3 eldonoj

Starts well, but odd final third

3 steloj

The Occasional Virgin is an unusual novel that focuses on the, frankly, odd choices made by two outwardly successful women. Both are originally Lebanese, but emigrated in adulthood to Toronto and London respectively. The novel felt as though it naturally fell into three sections of which I loved the first. Muslim Huda and Christian Yvonne are holidaying together in a wonderfully evoked Italian seaside town. We see their reminiscences about their Lebanese childhoods which are dominated by similar repressive outlooks towards women - regardless of their families' differing religions. We also get to join the women simply enjoying the prospect of a holiday romance and eyeing up the local talent. Up until this point, I was happy reading and felt I understood the characters well. I didn't necessarily agree with all their decisions and opinions, but I had settled in for a good read.

When the action switches to London …