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jugglingpup's review
5.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
I am a big sucker for coming of age stories, especially about women or queer people. So between that and this cover, I needed this book desperately.
The premise of the story is that Sara is telling her story of growing up to a reporter after she has struck out on her own. The story she tells starts with her family and who they are. This really sets the stage for everything that happens later. Sara’s age and her father’s determination really clash over and over again.
Her father is such an interesting character. He is both strong willed and weak. He will impose his will over his family, but will do anything it takes to please those around him that he has deemed acceptable. He is abusive and protective. He is full of what appears to be contradictions. It is never clear what will set him off or how bad it will be. He is this constant force of stress for everyone. This story wouldn’t exist if her father were any less of himself. He is a raging force that appears to be unstoppable. I both loved and hated him. I really understood where Sara’s complicated feelings for him came from.
There was so much intense family dynamics. Sara was sold enough to see how much her dad changed when they moved. She was old enough to be ready to rebel like only a teenager can pretty much from the start. She seemed to have the hardest time adjusting to the huge cultural changes the move brought and the huge family changes her father caused. It was fascinating to watch the changes. Some of the changes were things that Sara rebelled against, but others she shrugged and moved on. Those moments really defined Sara as a character for me. Sara as a character was complex and detailed. I wanted to know her every waking thought. I felt like I knew her as well as I knew myself at times. Incredible character development.
There was both a sexual assault of a minor (under 18) and a rape (over 18). Just as a heads up, both of these are described in detail and there is backlash towards the victims. This was difficult to read. I have been raped and assaulted, also been blamed for it each time but not to the degree that these women were. So if this is something that will be triggering, it is near the end of the book.
Overall, this book focuses on character development and the cultural/social dynamics of family. It was a wonderful read and an enjoyable one. Highly recommend!
I got an ARC of this book.
I am a big sucker for coming of age stories, especially about women or queer people. So between that and this cover, I needed this book desperately.
The premise of the story is that Sara is telling her story of growing up to a reporter after she has struck out on her own. The story she tells starts with her family and who they are. This really sets the stage for everything that happens later. Sara’s age and her father’s determination really clash over and over again.
Her father is such an interesting character. He is both strong willed and weak. He will impose his will over his family, but will do anything it takes to please those around him that he has deemed acceptable. He is abusive and protective. He is full of what appears to be contradictions. It is never clear what will set him off or how bad it will be. He is this constant force of stress for everyone. This story wouldn’t exist if her father were any less of himself. He is a raging force that appears to be unstoppable. I both loved and hated him. I really understood where Sara’s complicated feelings for him came from.
There was so much intense family dynamics. Sara was sold enough to see how much her dad changed when they moved. She was old enough to be ready to rebel like only a teenager can pretty much from the start. She seemed to have the hardest time adjusting to the huge cultural changes the move brought and the huge family changes her father caused. It was fascinating to watch the changes. Some of the changes were things that Sara rebelled against, but others she shrugged and moved on. Those moments really defined Sara as a character for me. Sara as a character was complex and detailed. I wanted to know her every waking thought. I felt like I knew her as well as I knew myself at times. Incredible character development.
There was both a sexual assault of a minor (under 18) and a rape (over 18). Just as a heads up, both of these are described in detail and there is backlash towards the victims. This was difficult to read. I have been raped and assaulted, also been blamed for it each time but not to the degree that these women were. So if this is something that will be triggering, it is near the end of the book.
Overall, this book focuses on character development and the cultural/social dynamics of family. It was a wonderful read and an enjoyable one. Highly recommend!
bookishconnections's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Slow start and it didn’t get going till page 142 but while I found Sara’s choices frustrating by the end i felt i understood her and the situation she was in.
Also felt like it needed editing especially in the early chapters and i know the author can write as i enjoy her non fiction pieces so this was incredibly disappointing.
Also felt like it needed editing especially in the early chapters and i know the author can write as i enjoy her non fiction pieces so this was incredibly disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
southernbellebooks's review
4.0
This book was such an amazing look into the culture that many people face, especially women, where they are treated as second class citizens because of their gender. I think it speaks to the bravery of anyone who escapes. There was some violence, abuse, and truly some heartbreaking moments. It was a little slow at times so it was difficult to keep going at some points but the overall story was interesting and well-written.
maddie_09's review against another edition
3.0
It's a good book but it could be better. It just didn't quite live up to my expectations.
The premise behind the book, a story of a girl trying to merge two worlds that made her, trying to follow the traditional ways of her father whilst forging a path to being her own person free to make independent choices, that's what pulled me in.
I just feel the book itself would do with more editing, writing was stilted at times. But I'm glad I read it. Sara's voice's deserves to be heard.
The premise behind the book, a story of a girl trying to merge two worlds that made her, trying to follow the traditional ways of her father whilst forging a path to being her own person free to make independent choices, that's what pulled me in.
I just feel the book itself would do with more editing, writing was stilted at times. But I'm glad I read it. Sara's voice's deserves to be heard.
awesometeefa's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Sara and her siblings were raised in London by their Muslim parents - her British mother and Egyptian father. Like most Middle Eastern men, Sara's father is strict in implementing Islamic teaching and Middle Eastern culture to his children - so strict that Western music was banned in their household ("the words in the songs are from the devil!"). As she was entering her teenage years, her father uprooted the whole family to a city in the Arabian Gulf. If she thought her life in London was restricted, she now finds her life in the Gulf even more confined with more rules to obey and a father who thinks he knows best in raising good Muslim children. Readers are in for a ride through Sara's teenage years, then as a university student and graduate as she embarks on a journey in finding herself and the true meaning of being a Muslim woman.
***
Reading Hijab & Red Lipstick is like listening to a friend who is confiding in you about the story of her life. The way of writing is honest and straight-forward, yet you can feel the pain, the misery that the characters are going through and it's heart-breaking at some pages.
The story sheds light on women suffering in countries where the patriarchy rules supreme and it's eye-opening for me. I think religious extremism exists in all religions and this book shows a glimpse in that. Through her honest writing, Imran makes it clear that this story is not about a woman despising her religion, it's about a woman's quest in understanding the true teaching of Islam and escaping the extremists who misunderstand it and ultimately it led her in her journey to self-discovery. Hijab & Red Lipstick is a story that needs to be read by women and feminists - Muslim or not.
Sara and her siblings were raised in London by their Muslim parents - her British mother and Egyptian father. Like most Middle Eastern men, Sara's father is strict in implementing Islamic teaching and Middle Eastern culture to his children - so strict that Western music was banned in their household ("the words in the songs are from the devil!"). As she was entering her teenage years, her father uprooted the whole family to a city in the Arabian Gulf. If she thought her life in London was restricted, she now finds her life in the Gulf even more confined with more rules to obey and a father who thinks he knows best in raising good Muslim children. Readers are in for a ride through Sara's teenage years, then as a university student and graduate as she embarks on a journey in finding herself and the true meaning of being a Muslim woman.
***
Reading Hijab & Red Lipstick is like listening to a friend who is confiding in you about the story of her life. The way of writing is honest and straight-forward, yet you can feel the pain, the misery that the characters are going through and it's heart-breaking at some pages.
The story sheds light on women suffering in countries where the patriarchy rules supreme and it's eye-opening for me. I think religious extremism exists in all religions and this book shows a glimpse in that. Through her honest writing, Imran makes it clear that this story is not about a woman despising her religion, it's about a woman's quest in understanding the true teaching of Islam and escaping the extremists who misunderstand it and ultimately it led her in her journey to self-discovery. Hijab & Red Lipstick is a story that needs to be read by women and feminists - Muslim or not.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
This is an intense read and difficult read at times, but I’m so glad I did. It has big trigger warnings for rape, misogyny, sexual assault, and domestic violence and violence toward women. This is such an interesting and well written book. Though the story is a bit difficult to read at times (emotionally nothing to do with the writing etc), it was so beautifully written and so interesting to see the religious and cultural dynamics within family life. Although I say I found it hard at times , it’s still a fast paced read and I enjoyed the book so very much. Heartbreaking, emotional, inspiring, pick this up and read this , you really need to
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
[Trigger Warning: rape, sexual assault, child abuse, emotional and physical abuse, misogyany, domestic abuse, coercive behaviour, self harm, suicidal ideation]
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
[Trigger Warning: rape, sexual assault, child abuse, emotional and physical abuse, misogyany, domestic abuse, coercive behaviour, self harm, suicidal ideation]
myevergrowingbookshelf's review
5.0
Hijab and Red Lipstick is absolutely incredible. It’s more than just a coming of age story. It’s a huge insight into, for me at least, a whole different world that I could never imagine. It opened my eyes to a way of living that I won’t ever experience, and Yousra has written it is so well, the experiences and emotions that Sara go through are so raw in this book. Yousra keeps the story authentic, using Arabic words and phrases, but includes a glossary at the back of the book for the reader. There are also several trigger warnings for this book, but there is a note from the author explaining them at the beginning, which is something that I think should be included in every book.
What’s important to know when reading this however, and is pointed out during the book, that although this is a story of a British Arab woman, it is not every Arab woman’s story. This does not lessen Sara’s story at all, but it is important to know and to remember.
Yousra won the Hashtag Press 2020 competition where the prize was for her debut novel to be published by them. Now I obviously haven’t read any of the other nominees, but I can honestly say I can see why she won. This is easily a five star read from me and I recommend it to everyone. Now if you wouldn’t mind writing a sequel please Yousra, I want to know more about Sara’s life!
Thank you so much Hashtag Press and Yousra Imran for my gifted digital copy of this amazing book
What’s important to know when reading this however, and is pointed out during the book, that although this is a story of a British Arab woman, it is not every Arab woman’s story. This does not lessen Sara’s story at all, but it is important to know and to remember.
Yousra won the Hashtag Press 2020 competition where the prize was for her debut novel to be published by them. Now I obviously haven’t read any of the other nominees, but I can honestly say I can see why she won. This is easily a five star read from me and I recommend it to everyone. Now if you wouldn’t mind writing a sequel please Yousra, I want to know more about Sara’s life!
Thank you so much Hashtag Press and Yousra Imran for my gifted digital copy of this amazing book
lilymurph's review
dark
emotional
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
cerilouisereads's review
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Bullying, Racism, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse