Functional Analysis: An Introduction to Further Topics in Analysis

by Stein, Elias; Shakarchi, R.
Functional Analysis: An Introduction to Further Topics in Analysis cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical
  • ID: 5097
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
wikiwand.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
good 4.00

The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman is a captivating historical fiction novel set in 19th century Afghanistan. The story follows Darya, a strong and courageous young girl who defies societal expectations and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and freedom. The book is well-researched and offers a fascinating glimpse into Afghan culture and history. However, the storyline takes a less satisfying turn after Darya's arrival in England, and the male lead character is somewhat underwhelming.

The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman is a compelling historical fiction novel that takes readers on a journey through 19th century Afghanistan. The story is narrated by Darya, a young Afghan girl who has always refused to conform to societal expectations. When her father's second wife curses her, Darya is forced to leave her village and is sold into marriage. She eventually escapes and meets David Ingram, beginning a journey that takes her to India and then to London. The first two-thirds of the book, set in Afghanistan and India, are particularly engaging and well-researched. The descriptions of Afghan culture and history are fascinating, and Darya's strength and courage make her a compelling protagonist. However, the storyline takes a less satisfying turn after Darya's arrival in England. Additionally, the male lead character, David Ingram, is somewhat boring and two-dimensional, which detracts from the overall narrative. Despite these minor flaws, the book is a great choice for anyone who enjoys long historical fiction novels and is prepared to be both saddened and shocked by Darya's story.

Quick quotes

    I love books that help me to learn about other times and other places: in The Moonlit Cage, Holeman introduces us to life in 19th century Afghanistan.

    I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down.

    The only other problem I had with the book was that while Darya was an interesting, likeable character, I found David Ingram, as the hero of the story, quite boring and two-dimensional.

static.hlt.bme.hu · Unknown · 2019-01-16
captivating 4.50

The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman is a captivating novel that transcends its setting, offering a timeless story of a woman's struggle for independence. Darya's journey from a traditional Muslim family in Afghanistan to London highlights themes of cultural conflict and personal resilience, all wrapped in a richly detailed narrative and a compelling love story.

The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman is more than just a novel set in nineteenth-century Afghanistan; it's a timeless exploration of a woman's fight for independence. The protagonist, Darya, faces challenges reminiscent of traditional Victorian heroines, such as having little control over life-altering decisions and the repercussions of defying male authority. Her journey takes her from a small village to a nomadic tribe in Afghanistan, then to India, and finally to London, where her 'exotic' appearance sparks reactions from Western society. The novel is rich in cultural detail and historical context, making it a compelling read. Additionally, the story is enriched by a great love story, adding depth to Darya's experiences and making her struggle even more poignant. The lush descriptions of the landscape and diverse cultures further immerse the reader in Darya's world, making her journey both relatable and captivating.

Quick quotes

    The Moonlit Cage is a lot more than a novel about a nineteenth-century Afghanistan woman.

    Darya's timeless struggle for independence is as captivating as the descriptions of the lush landscape and diverse cultures.

    The novel is enriched by a great love story, which adds depth to Darya's experiences.

mathoverflow.net · Unknown · 2011-08-09
compelling 3.50

The novel is a heartfelt historical fiction that centers around Daryâ, a young Muslim woman from Afghanistan, and her journey towards freedom and independence. The story is well-researched and provides a detailed portrayal of 19th-century cultures, making it a compelling read for Oprah’s audience.

The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman is a captivating historical fiction that delves into the life of Daryâ, a young Muslim woman from Afghanistan. The novel begins with Daryâ's oppressive upbringing in her tribal village, where she faces the wrath of her domineering father and the curse of her stepmother. Her journey takes her from the nomadic tribes of Afghanistan to the bustling streets of Bombay and finally to Victorian London. The narrative is richly detailed, particularly in the early chapters, and provides a poignant exploration of cultural inequities and the struggles of a woman seeking independence. Daryâ's story is both stirring and exemplary, making it a natural choice for reading groups. The novel's strength lies in its ability to evoke empathy and provide a unified perspective through Daryâ's eyes, although this also limits the author's ability to present a broader view of the cultural ironies and inequities. Overall, the novel is a heartfelt and compelling read that is likely to resonate with Oprah’s audience.

Quick quotes

    Biology looms as destiny, then becomes a spur to freedom and accomplishment in the Canadian YA author’s heartfelt second adult historical.

    The best sections here are in these potently detailed early chapters, succeeded by Daryâ’s escape from Shaliq, passage to India (Bombay) accompanied by mild-mannered Englishman David Ingram, who, for reasons of his own, cannot be the man she desires and needs, and thence — as the traveling companion of an exploiter (“Mr. Bull”) who might have come out of a Dickens novel — to Victorian London, which is itself something less than a nirvana for a woman alone.

    The choice of Daryâ as narrator provides needed unity and elicits reader empathy, but limits Holeman’s somewhat oblique presentation of cultural inequities and ironies.

Appears in Lists