Scan barcode
aliquid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Homophobia
sprucewillow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
the_maccheroncini's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Self harm, Racism, Outing, Homophobia, and Drug use
shaziareads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good Intentions features Nur, our anxiety ridden main character who has been hiding his relationship with Yamina, a black Muslim, from his traditional Pakistani parents--for 4 years.
Although Nur's perspective can be frustrating to read at times, I did have to consistently remind myself that in his mind, revealing his relationship could potentially cause issues with his parents. And this may not make sense to a lot of readers, but I'm sure it will strike a chord with desi readers, particularly any that may be in "secret" interracial/interreligious/queer relationships. And it also brings up the very real issue of racism in Muslim communities, whether they acknowledge it or not.
There is another character that is mentioned in the book, and although not directly featured, is Nur's good friend Imran. Imran is a gay Muslim, and throughout the book, goes through his own struggle with coming out to his family and dealing with the aftermath. He also mentions his perspective of being queer but still identifying as a Muslim - and I think that's so important. Being gay is another topic that is so taboo in many communities, but queer Muslims do exist. And having this representation of a character who is gay but still identifies with his religion is so great. It shows that these individuals do not need to choose one identity over the other.
Overall, I think this book was okay with its Muslim representation. It wasn't great, and I know a lot of Muslims tend to hate when the representation features characters that are not practicing. And yeah, it does kind of suck to have these characters depict a group of people. But at the end of the day, it's a realistic representation. And representation does not mean this is a role model, or someone to look up to. It's just one pov out of a larger, diverse group that is filled with many different cultures and views.
I'd give this book a 3.5, rounding up for Goodreads.
Although Nur's perspective can be frustrating to read at times, I did have to consistently remind myself that in his mind, revealing his relationship could potentially cause issues with his parents. And this may not make sense to a lot of readers, but I'm sure it will strike a chord with desi readers, particularly any that may be in "secret" interracial/interreligious/queer relationships. And it also brings up the very real issue of racism in Muslim communities, whether they acknowledge it or not.
There is another character that is mentioned in the book, and although not directly featured, is Nur's good friend Imran. Imran is a gay Muslim, and throughout the book, goes through his own struggle with coming out to his family and dealing with the aftermath. He also mentions his perspective of being queer but still identifying as a Muslim - and I think that's so important. Being gay is another topic that is so taboo in many communities, but queer Muslims do exist. And having this representation of a character who is gay but still identifies with his religion is so great. It shows that these individuals do not need to choose one identity over the other.
Overall, I think this book was okay with its Muslim representation. It wasn't great, and I know a lot of Muslims tend to hate when the representation features characters that are not practicing. And yeah, it does kind of suck to have these characters depict a group of people. But at the end of the day, it's a realistic representation. And representation does not mean this is a role model, or someone to look up to. It's just one pov out of a larger, diverse group that is filled with many different cultures and views.
I'd give this book a 3.5, rounding up for Goodreads.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Homophobia
fluffy1st's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Racism, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content
candournat's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m fairly certain I picked up Good Intentions because it was mentioned in a newsletter put out by Kia Abdullah, whose books I love, as one of the new releases by British-Asian authors she was most excited to read.
It’s the story of the relationship between Nur and Yasmina. Both are Muslim but his family is British-Pakistani and hers is British-Sudanese. There are cultural barriers and prejudices of both sides, but he is certain his family will not be able to overcome theirs. So rather than tell his family, give them a chance to do know Yasmina as a person, to learn and to grow, he keeps Yasmina and the fact that they are living together secret. For four years!
What I really liked about this book was the way it highlighted the bind many second-generation immigrants face, caught between traditional cultural and family expectations and the new mores of the society in which they live. Wanting to make choices which go against those expectations, the fear of disappointing family members, possibly estranging them, the fear that what you want to do may be wrong - it contradicts everything you’ve been brought up with- can be paralysing, possibly contributing to anxiety and other mental health issues. It also highlighted racism towards Blacks from other non-white communities, a topic which doesn’t get as much attention as racism from white communities.
Where I struggled a bit was with Nur himself and his lack of growth. Four years was an awfully long time to be paralysed with fear, to keep such an important person and part of your life secret from those you are supposedly closest to. I understand that he was partly trying to protect Yasmina from hurt, but he failed to consider the ways his own actions and inactions were hurtful. He never changed over the course of the story which made the plot somewhat repetitive. It would have been nice to see him stand up for Yasmina and to take actions to try and dismantle the racism he saw in his community. I’d also loved to have heard directly from Yasmina.
I liked the issues raised but think the book would have been stronger with more of a character arc for the main character.
It’s the story of the relationship between Nur and Yasmina. Both are Muslim but his family is British-Pakistani and hers is British-Sudanese. There are cultural barriers and prejudices of both sides, but he is certain his family will not be able to overcome theirs. So rather than tell his family, give them a chance to do know Yasmina as a person, to learn and to grow, he keeps Yasmina and the fact that they are living together secret. For four years!
What I really liked about this book was the way it highlighted the bind many second-generation immigrants face, caught between traditional cultural and family expectations and the new mores of the society in which they live. Wanting to make choices which go against those expectations, the fear of disappointing family members, possibly estranging them, the fear that what you want to do may be wrong - it contradicts everything you’ve been brought up with- can be paralysing, possibly contributing to anxiety and other mental health issues. It also highlighted racism towards Blacks from other non-white communities, a topic which doesn’t get as much attention as racism from white communities.
Where I struggled a bit was with Nur himself and his lack of growth. Four years was an awfully long time to be paralysed with fear, to keep such an important person and part of your life secret from those you are supposedly closest to. I understand that he was partly trying to protect Yasmina from hurt, but he failed to consider the ways his own actions and inactions were hurtful. He never changed over the course of the story which made the plot somewhat repetitive. It would have been nice to see him stand up for Yasmina and to take actions to try and dismantle the racism he saw in his community. I’d also loved to have heard directly from Yasmina.
I liked the issues raised but think the book would have been stronger with more of a character arc for the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Homophobia
kirstym25's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
churrosmom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Disclaimer: won an ARC through a giveaway.
This book was exhausting. It felt so repetitive and long because the entire time we are stuck in the main character, Nur's head, and he thinks in circular anxiety patterns, and the timeline jumps back and forth. At a certain point I was just spite reading the book to see what happens with the relationship. Nur has serious mental health issues, treats Yasmina absolutely horribly, and is constantly judging other Muslims as backwards and conservative. The author does have other characters call him out on these issues, but something about the writing just feels off. This book would be 3 stars but the way Blackness is treated in this book is just off. I can't really articulate what it is exactly.
Also, this is NOT a romance, do not go into this expecting a romance, though the romantic relationship between Nur and Yasmina is the center of the book.
TWs for explicit descriptions of anti-Blackness, self harm, mental illness, suicide attempt, panic attacks, toxic/emotionally abusive relationship, Islamophobia
This book was exhausting. It felt so repetitive and long because the entire time we are stuck in the main character, Nur's head, and he thinks in circular anxiety patterns, and the timeline jumps back and forth. At a certain point I was just spite reading the book to see what happens with the relationship. Nur has serious mental health issues, treats Yasmina absolutely horribly, and is constantly judging other Muslims as backwards and conservative. The author does have other characters call him out on these issues, but something about the writing just feels off. This book would be 3 stars but the way Blackness is treated in this book is just off. I can't really articulate what it is exactly.
Also, this is NOT a romance, do not go into this expecting a romance, though the romantic relationship between Nur and Yasmina is the center of the book.
TWs for explicit descriptions of anti-Blackness, self harm, mental illness, suicide attempt, panic attacks, toxic/emotionally abusive relationship, Islamophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Islamophobia, and Suicide attempt
bookdragon217's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
"...it's not enough to tread the right books, to say the right things, to tweet your anger about police brutality or supporting Black people if you're going to come home and make your Black girlfriend feel like she is less than you."
Good Intentions by debut author Kasim Ali released yesterday and it's definitely a novel that gave lots to think about. It's a story about Nur, a British Pakistani and Yasmine, a British Sudanese who are in a serious relationship and trying to navigate interracial dating, family responsibilities, culture, and mental health while trying to forge their own paths for future careers. The story jumps around to different points in their relationship as Nur deals with his anxiety about telling his parents that he's been in a relationship with a black woman for 4 years. He thinks he is saving Yasmina from the hurt of anti-blackness in South Asian cultures but has not reckoned with his own internalized beliefs and struggles with mental health that have been showing up and causing him severe panic attacks. He brushes them aside as "not liking conflict" and projects them onto his family most of the time.
I loved that the author was bold in the ways he told the story and made certain choices for the characters. The non-linear timeline was confusing at first but once you get a sense of the characters it becomes easier to follow. The slow pace helped to build up the tension for the ending. I would definitely read this author's next book because I enjoyed the emotional storytelling. Thanks to @henryholtbooks for the gifted copy.
Final thoughts on this one:
💥 To reckon with race, the work must start by dealing with internalized biases.
💥 Being anti-racist requires action not complacency.
💥 There is anti-blackness in many cultures including South Asian.
💥 The pressures to lead lives that honor your immigrant parents can be taxing on mental health.
💥 It's ok to choose yourself or your partner if your family is not accepting of aspects of identity.
💥 Mental Health in black and brown communities needs to be a priority.
💥 Interracial dating requires that you do the hard work to learn about and support your partner's cultural group.
💥 To reckon with race, the work must start by dealing with internalized biases.
💥 Being anti-racist requires action not complacency.
💥 There is anti-blackness in many cultures including South Asian.
💥 The pressures to lead lives that honor your immigrant parents can be taxing on mental health.
💥 It's ok to choose yourself or your partner if your family is not accepting of aspects of identity.
💥 Mental Health in black and brown communities needs to be a priority.
💥 Interracial dating requires that you do the hard work to learn about and support your partner's cultural group.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Xenophobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm, and Gaslighting