Author: Sarah Mughal Rana
Genre: realistic fiction/magical realism
Similar books: House of Yesterday by Deeba Zargarpur
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher): Nida has always been known as Mamou Abdul-Hafeedh’s niece - the poet who will fill her uncle’s shoes after he was wrongfully incarcerated during the war on terror. But for Nida, her poetry letters are her heart and sharing so much of herself with a world that stereotypes her faith and her hijab is not an option.
When Nida is illegally frisked at a Democratic Senatorial candidate’s political rally, she writes a scathing poem about the politician, never expecting the letter to go viral weeks before Election Day. Nida discovers her poem has won first place in a national contest, a contest she never entered, and her quiet life is toppled. But worst of all, Nida loses her ability to write poetry. In the aftermath of her win, Nida struggles to balance the expectations of her mother, her uncle, and her vibrant Muslim community with the person she truly wants to be.
My opinion: We expect this book to be about rights violations. The inciting incident is an illegal frisking, after all. But it's much more than that. The question of rights is almost incidental. Instead Nida's story is a question of voices. When we speak up. Who influences and controls when we speak. And the dilemma of standing up versus fitting in. These are complex questions with no clear answers which can make for a challenging read. If you're someone who likes a clear-cut plot, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want to weigh opinions and discuss choices, give this one a read.
More information: Hope Ablaze releases February 27.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
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