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Synopsis (From Goodreads):
American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home, and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and maybe (just maybe) pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.
There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs.
Review:
Reading Love, Hate, & Other Filters, by Samira Ahmed, I wasn't really sure what kind of book this was trying to be. Was it a light, teen rom-com, a coming of age drama, or a serious topical book dealing with Islamophobia? Ultimately, it was all three. I was at turns charmed, surprised, and gut-punched, but always riveted.
What I Liked:
Characters:Maya is a conflicted character. She wants to break fee of the restrictions her parents place on her, but she also does love her family and her culture. It would have been easy to just go along with her parents expectations for her future. But Maya wants to go to New York University to study film-making (an impractical major).
I really liked Maya for her need to live a life of her own choosing. When racism starts to affect Maya (a Muslim), she is understandably scared. But she also knows that most people are kind, and not out to blame her for every terrorist attack or war. She sees the good in people, not the bad. I loved her optimism.
I also liked the portrayal of her best friend, Violet. I liked that she didn't just pop in and out of the story to fill an inauthentic need. She was there, being a kind, sympathetic listener when Maya needed it most. She also jut accepted Maya's life with all it's restrictions on regular teen activity. She never made Maya feel strange.
Romance:
Oh, this book has some amazing romance in it as Maya juggles with feelings for two different boys. One is (of course) mom approved. He comes from the right family, is Muslim, and is studying to become an engineer at Princeton. The other boy is Caucasian, not Muslim, and is the most popular boy at school. He also has a girlfriend... Rom/Com conflict ensues!
Cultural Tensions:
There is a lot of emphasis on the culture clash between immigrant parents and their born in the U.S.A. offspring. The parents want to raise their children just as they would in India, but Maya will not be bullied into a life she doesn't want. Maya is a fully American teen. When most teenagers are becoming independent and are able to have choices, Maya is seeing her options shrink. This increases as a terrorist attack occurs and Maya's parents fear for her safety.
Realities of Islamophobia:
The core of this book deals with the constant discrimination Muslims must confront. Being flagged in the airport for extra security checks, people saying nasty things to you on the street. These are daily burdens most Muslims face.
I recall back in the 1980's when fifty people were being held hostage in Iran, how Iranian students at my school were harassed by the football players. I think one was beat up. This sort of intimidation is still happening, today.
What I Was Mixed About:
I did find the mix of literary genres to be somewhat confusing, at least at first. While the author showed scenes straight out of a teen romantic comedy, she alternated these with moments from a young man who may be planning something horrific. I didn't understand who this person was, at first. I even went back to Goodreads to re-read the books description to see if I could understand it better. This all became crystal clear later in the story. But it seemed like I was reading two very different books, at times.
Rating:
Release Date: January 16th, 2018
Author: Samira Ahmed
Publisher: Soho Teen
Genre: YA Fiction
Page Length: 281 Pages
Source: Public Library
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A book that was compelling. At turns romantic and heart-breaking in its portrayal of the realities of Islamophobia in post 9/11 America. I highly recommend this book.
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