Reviews

Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana

dontmissythesereads's review against another edition

4.75

Book #38 read in 2024

This is a powerful story that shines a light on Islam0phobia and the impact words can have. I loved the interspersion of poetry written as letters. I think this is something that is a must read in the culture that we live in. 

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the complimentary ebook.

wheeliebridge's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was an amazing book and possibly one of my top 5 reads ever. The lyricism of her words was a balm to the wounds felt for Nida and her family as she tries to navigate an impossible situation. Balancing the fear for her mother and community and her own morals and duty to her people, Nida finds her way back to herself, through betrayals, arguments, and heart breaking loss. I cannot recommend this book enough

onecrab's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative slow-paced

4.0

I picked up this book after Mychal Threets recommended it on IG  (@mychal3ts) because who am I to argue with the favorite librarian? 

From the acknowledgements, "Lastly, no matter who tries to silence you, continue speaking up for good causes. There is so much darkness in the world, but there are also many inspiring people who will remind you to always have hope."

This book covered a lot! Friendship, family, generational trauma, politicians.... I learned a lot about partition and am interested in learning more, it's just not something that's widely discussed. It was a solid read. 

The audiobook is well narrated by Farah Kidwai. 

febrianikmadusari's review against another edition

Nida selalu dikenal sebagai keponakan Mamou Abdul-Hafeedh, yang dipenjara karena menulis puisi, disebabkan oleh sentimen terhadap muslim setelah 9/11. Bagi Nida, puisi-puisi karyanya adalah hatinya, dan membaginya dengan dunia yang penuh prasangka terhadap agama dan hijabnya bukanlah pilihan yang tepat.

Setelah Nida digeledah secara ilegal pada acara kampanye kandidat senat partai demokrat, dia menulis puisi pedas tentang politisi tersebut, tidak pernah terpikir untuk akan viral setelah pemilu. Puisi Nida menang peringkat satu dalam kontes nasional , kontes yang tidak pernah diikutinya, dan hidupnya tidak pernah sama lagi. 

Aku tidak menduga akan ada unsur magical realism ketika membaca blurb buku ini. Ketika Nida diminta oleh ibunya menulis permintaan maaf kepada kandidat senat yang dimaksud, mulai muncul tali biru yang hanya terlihat oleh Nida, muncul di pergelangan tangan dan tenggorokannya, menghalanginya untuk menulis puisi maupun berbicara.

Buku ini mengangkat tema Islamophobia, khususnya terhadap imigran dari Pakistan (ibu dan paman Nida), menunjukkan kepada audiens bahwa hal ini masih banyak ditemui di Amerika Serikat. Dilengkapi dengan puisi di setiap bab, kurasa penulis membawakan karya debut ini agak berbeda dengabnnovel kebanyakan.

Sayangnya, aku kurang cocok dengan gaya bercerita Sarah disini, walau temanya menarik buatku, Islamophobia. Namun buku ini sangat aman dibaca di bulan Ramadan.

lauravm's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mmccombs's review against another edition

Holding off on my review due to the SMP boycott.
https://r4acollective.org/

mrskingisreading's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-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

4.5

rameesa_15's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hedleyreads's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

As someone not familiar with the language used in this book, a glossary would have been very helpful in making the book more accessible. I wanted to understand the terms used and found myself flipping to the end of the book to see if there was definitions. When there wasn't I was looking a lot of things up. I understand this is my own lack of exposure and I learned a lot!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia and Xenophobia

Moderate: War