The Printed Page

Title: Small Kingdoms
Author/website(s): Anastaisa Hobbet
344 pages
Publisher: Permanent Press
Publication date: January ’10
Genre: Fiction
Would I recommend this book: DNF @ pg. 128
Would I read more from this author: Most likely no
Journal notes: Unfortunately for Small Kingdoms I started reading it right after finishing a book I truly enjoyed. It might have suffered some for that reason but that isn’t entirely why I put it down without reading further than page 128. I initially requested Small Kingdoms for the cultural aspects of the story line. I continue to find myself fascinated with the customs and beliefs of this part of the world. But I found myself growing less interested when going back to the story after having put the book down to attend to other parts of the my life. I didn’t find myself making a mental connection with any of the main characters. I know once the reviews start coming in for Small Kingdoms that I will definitely be in the minority.

Hobbet’s compelling novel is set in Kuwait between the Gulf Wars, with the country poised for the next wave of unexpected terror while coming to grips with the last: He’d expected to see some scars of the war. But there was nothing that spoke of the violence, not even a tank posed as a public memorial. Hobbet’s disparate protagonists come from different classes, countries and faiths: devoutly Muslim, wealthy Mufeeda; her young Indian cook, Emmanuella; California doctor Theo; Theo’s Arabic teacher, Hanaan (a Palestinian); and timid American housewife Kit (also Mufeeda’s neighbor). Each character is, to varying degrees, a misfit in a society beset by violence and ancient practices. When news of murdered maids begins circulating, several characters undertake a precarious plan to save a maid in danger, a dangerous mission with the potential to change all their lives permanently. Hobbet’s extensive knowledge of Kuwait’s people, customs and political landscape combine to make an immersive, authentic novel about Middle East life.

(Small Kingdoms was provided to me by the Librarything Early Reviewers program. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to the another book blogger through Read It Forward )

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