The Runaways

A great depiction of the apathy, exploitation, and ignorance of the ruling classes in the country.

Weaves a story of poverty, desperation and the lengths people will go to including violence. A solid plot with seamless writing. Strong characters that linger with you long after the last page. Very much enjoyed this and you will too. Happy reading!

Three different young adults, by three very different paths, become jihadis in Iraq. Fatima Bhutto presents their stories in a nonlinear chronology, letting readers come to see the full picture over time.I don't know enough about violent fundamentalism to know if this book rings true on that level. I requested a review copy of this title because Fatima's Shadow of the Crescent Moon was one of my absolute favorite reads in 2013. I don't think The Runaways is quite as successful as that novel, but it's also a longer, more substantial work.The Runaways is bleak, but also leaves some small room for hope. This isn't an easy read, but it will give you lots to think about. The characters' motivations are uneven. Sunny, a young man of Pakistani descent, who is at war with himself over his homosexuality, is the most fully depicted. Monty, a wealthy Pakistani is motivated by a fierce, adolescent love. The most interesting, complex character is the young woman—but she's the one Bhutto tells us least about, forcing readers to fill in the gaps with their own imaginings.Content warning: there is one scene that extends over several pages involving the abuse of dogs. I skipped ahead as soon as I reached that spot because this isn't a topic I'm willing to read about. If you feel like I do, keep an eye out and be ready to jump forward when you reach this point.I received an electronic ARC of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus. The opinions are my own.

This book hooked me almost immediately and I couldn't put it down. I found each of the three characters to be quite compelling and the book is an interesting and unique look into why/how one may or may not become radicalized. The pacing was well done in that this long book did not feel long at all.

Thank you to Verso Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!Available Aug 18 2020Unsettling and fast paced, Fatima Bhutto's The Runaways attempts to peel back the layers on modern day Karachi. When Anita accidentally runs into Monty at her new, private school in Karachi she can hardly predict the changes that are about to come her way. Addressing everything from the vacuity of modern, upper class living to the personal conflict homosexuality in Islam to a young girl's yearning for freedom, Bhutto's novel feels like it pulls the reader in many directions at once. It's often muddy grounds both philosophically and ideologically, and gets even more confusing when the characters start to adopt secondary names. The final scene is chilling and tense and I wish more of that dramatic writing was carried throughout the rest of the book.

It is a well written and interesting story about young people dissatisfied with their lives and looking for other alternatives.

Going past the fact that the jacket of this hardcover is gorgeous, this was a beautifully written novel. I think it's very necessary reading given the times we live in. As one of the reviews on the book state, this is indeed written with a big heart and a lot of empathy. Enjoyed it.

I think the review written by Lucy sums up my thinking about a lot of this book. It is certainly well written and, at times, quite beautiful. But I disagree with Lucy when she says that the story falls away around half way through. The second half of the novel, set in the desert of Iraq, is compelling stuff (sorry Lucy). It is nowhere near as graphic as some books I have read. In fact, I was a little surprised it wasn't more so but maybe that would have distracted from the human element. The three characters, especially the two boys, Sammy and Monty, came across as quite naive at times and also quite innocent, despite events towards the end of the book.The Runaways certainly makes you think. Although many young (and not so young) people have joined such terrorist groups as Isis, their reasons for doing so may not be as straightforward as we imagine. Individual circumstances play a major part in the decision-making. This novel should make you think about motives. It also suggests that our 'Western' way of life might be all some people need in order to become radicalised. A recent interview with Fatima Bhutto, in the Sunday Times Magazine, is worth reading. She says, "Radicalism is not about religion. That narrative is a lie."I encourage you to read this book - I would like to think it will be short-listed for the Man Booker Award later this year.

My goodness. Intense and well written. It documents the process of ego led degradation in myriad forms. I would highly recommend it but not if you want to feel good about humanity.

First things first. The design of the dustjacket and the large fonts is lovely...🤗Fatima Bhutto of course is always a profound voice.Here, I loved how one gets drawn into the story as one progresses ...

Great idea but for the depth of the topic I would have preferred a more concrete plot