The World Unseen Audiobook By Shamim Sarif cover art

The World Unseen

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The World Unseen

By: Shamim Sarif
Narrated by: Lisa Ray
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In apartheid South Africa, free-spirited young Amina has broken all the rules of her own conventional community by running a café.

When she meets Miriam, a young traditional wife and mother, their unexpected attraction turns their world upside down.

©2016 Shamim Sarif (P)2016 Enlightenment Press Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Sagas Africa

Critic reviews

"I read The World Unseen at a gulp, so entrancing is it's style, so complete it's tale of love and betrayal, and so accurate it's depiction of the physical, social and political scene...." ( Johannesburg Star, book of the week)
All stars
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I loved the movie and now, having listened to the book, I love it even more. Sadly, the themes of bigotry and discrimination are still relevant today but that makes it more relatable (me looking for a silver lining, I guess). Women not having the rights to themselves, prejudice against LGBTQ+ humans, lives of people of color not being valued by insecure cowards...the struggles continue even in this time period and in different countries. We have come a long way but the battle wages on.

With that said, I found the movie quite faithful to the book. Some things were taken out or condensed but nothing was truly changed. As Ms. Ray read, I could envision the scenes from the movie as well as scenes not in the movie. The story was never slow but evenly paced and the delivery emotive and clear. More information into the character's back stories make them even more intriguing and I appreciated one of the stars of the film narrating the book.

A Great Read/Listen!!!

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I saw the movie but, I enjoyed the insight into the characters thoughts and motives that are much clearer in the book. The end makes more sense and I don't feel cut short or confused like I did at the end of the movie. I love it. Can't wait to read more by this author.

Better than the movie

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In a world controlled by men it takes great courage and much love to truly live. The characters, One struggling to remember her inner strength, the other wanting only acceptance for who she is, find sparks of joy together. The story is a look at a world not so long ago, yet very much a part of today. Brilliant telling of complex characters you will love to cheer on.

Women struggle to just be, always.

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I really enjoyed this audiobook. Lisa Ray has done amazing job! It’s like seeing the complete novel in film. Just finished I can’t think straight audio as well. I recommend both!!!

Wayvdifferet then the film!! Awesome

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Wow! What a powerful story. So hard to listen to. So sad to hear how women and men had to live like at that time in South Africa. Excellent narration. Excellent writing. Very moving.

Excellent!

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Really loved the story! It is amazing , with a relevant plot and so very real and true. read by incredible Lisa Ray - such a deep person with such a wonderful strong voice ! the book and the film touched my heart !

relevant and touching, yet so true !

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