EXIST WEST

My mind is so full of thoughts of this book as I write this review. Exit West is beautifully written but so overwhelming.

This novel is about the human journey, love, migration, conflict, and life as a refugee. It generates empathy that allows us to understand the world better. The emotions Mohsin makes you feel are genuine and real.

Furthermore, Mohsin didn’t mention the location of the city because he wanted the readers to relate to any place of their choice. By which btw, it is a fantastic idea as political turmoil can happen anywhere. The novel revolves among two characters, Saeed and Nadia. And through the pages, Mohsin inserts different characters to make the story more realistic bt then,doesn't talk in-depth about their lives rather explaining to us, how as we migrate everything changes. How magical doors keep opening everywhere in the world.

"In a city swollen by refugees but still mostly at peace, or at least not yet openly at war, a young man met a young woman in a classroom and did not speak to her."

Exit West begins in an unnamed city where Saaed and Nadia meet. Saeed living with his parents and Nadia alone. These two later on fall in love as their city breaks into violence and civil war. Mohsin tries to depict the craving for connection amidst all the chaos as seen in their love. As violence increases, Saeed's mother passes away. Fearing for Nadia's life, Saeed convinces her to move in to live with him and his father, which she accepts.

Eventually the militants take control of their city, forcing many people including Saeed and Nadia to flee the country leaving his father behind.

”When we migrate, we murder from our lives those that we leave behind."

They managed to escape through magical doors. A black door that led you to anywhere in the world.

What follows is different incidents in different places. Saeed and Nadia's relationship is affected so much. Growing apart every day and still they try so hard to hold onto each other because of their shared past. But will they hold on to it?

I don’t want to be a spoiler so I won't go into details. Read to find out.