Deleted itibaren Sant'Agostino
I saw the film "Of Gods and Men" before reading this book. I thought the film was deeply moving and inspirational. After seeing the movie I wanted to learn more about the monks and the church in Algeria. The book did not disappoint. Though relatively small, the church in Algeria (at this time and maybe even today) is a vibrant and culturally relevant community only strengthened by its interactions with Islam. The monks themselves were great men who (unlike suicide bombers who slaughter innocents indiscriminately) were true martyrs who died for their commitment to God and Algeria.
Tabitha Suzuma has clearly read Flowers in the Attic as many times as I have. But, eh, this is the new trend in YA these days, to take a story from the 70s or 80s and repackage it, and I can't say I minded its unoriginality. The elements are all there: the absent father, the neglectful mother who can't seem to let go of her youth and pays little attention to her children, the younger siblings which make the two teenage leads feel as if they've been thrust into the role of parents (which of course leads them to start making out and then, well, you know...) I like FitA better because of the creepy grandma, the swan bed, and the absolutely delicious gothic feel. But I like Forbidden better because the relationship is more fully consensual and because the female lead is allowed to have actual sexual feelings instead of only being able to feel them when forced. I also like the realistic take on the consequences. The ending felt a little overly sentimental to me, and there were some parts in the middle of the book that dragged, but overall, this was a very engaging read.