This is a spoiler-free review of Ola Mustapha's debut novel, 'Other Names, Other Places.' A huge thank you to Netgalley and Fairlight Books for the ARC copy.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I enjoyed the overall writing. The second-person narration made for a slightly jarring opening, but perhaps perfectly sets up the main characters of Nessie and Mrs Brown, and also sets up the struggles of the narrator in coming to terms with her past, family and experiences. I did enjoy the subtle manner in which the author complicates the growing characterisations of all those Nessie encounters, as both a child and an "adult" (a term shakingly contested in the novel), and the ending reveal, which though surprising (for me at least), fit in perfectly and shed new light on previous events. Yet, I wish the author had not decided to repeat certain sections again (keyword: snake). While I understand the possible intention, the execution would have worked if the reveal they were leading to was introduced in them via slight changes or additions to those parts.

The plot attempts to explore multiple themes of identity, family, platonic and romantic relationships, secrecy, mental health, and many more via a disjointed coming-of-age story. Unfortunately, some themes seem to fizzle out, existing only as a bridge for plot or thematic progression. The titular theme of naming seems to be stretched too thin, hinting at multiple ideas but never actualising beyond surface-level issues. The other theme of 'home' and 'places' is explored more deeply, but the cultural clashes of the narrator with London lose major significance halfway across the book, and Japan's representation is mostly repressed by the prominence of interactions with non-Japanese characters. While there are minute discussions about not being native to the country, the book fails to use the country in a more meaningful manner, almost making it exchangeable with any other country foreign to the UK and Tunisia.

Another major issue was how unlikeable I found the protagonist as an adult. While I am all for flawed characters, I struggle to reconcile someone who is 'adored' by other characters with someone who relegates throwing ware and breaking framed photos to 'incidents'. The author does seem to indicate the problematic nature of the protagonist, via her sister Sherine, her unnamed manager 'boyfriend' or Laila, yet never gives it any reasonable exploration or conclusion, shifting focus to her panic attacks instead. This for me seems like a step back in mental health representation since even when the idea of individual therapy is bought up, it is overshadowed by the protagonist's almost-justified anger at the manager (by then ex-boyfriend) who brings it up, muddling both notions of mental health and relationships and giving neither the space to breathe (ironically the reason why the manager could not make things work with Nessie).

Overall, it was a book with tons of potential and incredible moments and writing. But in comparison to the growing number of literary works exploring themes of cultural and mixed identity, names, relationships and 'home', the novel pales and seems at times a try-hard, juggling different ideas with each page, but allowing none to come to deserved fruition.

I tried very hard to get into this. I’m a huge fan of immigrant stories and I thought that I would enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me, The writing style was rather beautiful, but I couldn’t connect with the characters and the pacing was too slow. Still, I appreciate the attempt and I think that, with a bit more editing, this novel would’ve been far more intriguing,

Other Names, Other Places is a beautifully written mosaic of identity, love and belonging. It starts out as fragmented child’s memories and tells the story of Nesrine’s life haunted by Mrs Brown, the family friend who seemingly blew up everything.

Mustapha does an amazing job of portraying the workings of a child’s mind. So much so that I found it difficult to follow in some places. Still, Nesrine is, layer by layer, faced with her otherness as a Tunisian immigrant in England, with the cruelty unique to middle schoolers, with her dysfunctional family, with Mrs Brown’s betrayal and I lapped it all up.

Nesrine’s character was so intricate and lifelike and her being in a sort of limbo between making her family happy and running far away hit especially close to home, as well as her relationship with her sister. Her time in Japan was a bit of a lull though, and a step removed from the second person narration addressed to Mrs Brown, which didn’t really come back as strong as it was at the beginning. The final puzzle piece came as a big surprise and took the whole book up a notch.

All in all, a great debut and my warm recommendation.

Thank you to Fairlight Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was incredible; I couldn’t put it down. It’s a really beautiful examination of being an immigrant and growing up in the U.K, but more than that it is an examination of a life. It’s clear that the character of Nesrine is inspired by the author, but every character is equally well-developed and nuanced. The storyline jumps between different times and often foreshadows and self-references, but the main chronology of the story is always easy to follow. This structure builds suspense and continually propels the story forward, making for a really interesting read. The story is so richly written and full of life, and I felt like I was looking through a window into a real family. Just so, so good.

The book is impactful and evocative. It is written in second person. But feels more like reading a journal though with all that reminiscing memories of childhood and adulthood, there are some deep and thought provoking conversations as well. It is a multilayered story. There are cultures differences and to get to know the truth, you have to peel off the layer one by one. The revelations at the end will shook you.

With evocative memories, dysfunctional family, mystery, hidden truths, secrets and certain revelations, the author has encapsulated the experience of being an immigrant in London. And shared the cultural differences throughout the story. The writing is compelling and mysterious. This book is unusual and different. I haven’t read anything like this before. I would definitely recommend it.


•Tunisian immigrant in London
•Cultural differences
•Love and heartbreak
•Hidden Truths
•Family secrets
•Double identity
•Compelling writing
•Multilayered story
•Coming of age
•Revelations at the end

Thanks to Author, Publisher and Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book.

Other Names, Other Places starts with a single, fragmented childhood memory, and spirals out from there. It's a coming of age story of family, trauma and immigrant experience.

Nessie is a narrator with a complicated relationship with secrets and the truth. As a novel written in second person, her voice is wonderfully evasive, struggling to commit to a linear timeline or make sense of things that have happened. It's this underlying caution that really draws you into her story: she seems such a deeply realised character.

A compelling debut novel about family and the people who shape us.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the structure and the main character. Lots of family drama and coming of age bits. It was easy to read and very interesting. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!