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A review by notyourhijabi
I Love I Hate I Miss My Sister by Amélie Sarn
5.0
Review first published on http://reading-is-dreaming-with-open-eyes.blogspot.com/2015/07/amelie-sarn-i-love-i-hate-i-miss-my.html
"I don't want to live in fear. I don't want my choices to be dictated by fear. I don't want to be what others have decided I should be. I want to be myself. Do you understand, Sohane?"
This book just left me feeling speechless. On reading the synopsis I expected a typical conflicted-sister relationship but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity the author carried throughout the book with perfect ease. It was chilling. It was unbelievable. Yet it was based on a TRUE STORY. Well, damn.
Sohane is a typical eighteen-year-old. She loves no one as much as she loves her care-free, gorgeous little sister Djelila- and she hates no one as much. Even though they both grew up together, Sohane can't help but feel Djelila turning into someone different and it frustrates her that she can't stop this.
"I just want to be me. I don't want to be ashamed of being Muslim and of practicing my religion. I'd like people to accept that. I don't intend to harm anyone."
While Sohane accepts being Muslim, along with all that it entails- including the head cover, her sister wants to be free of this. All Djelila wants is to live life the way she wants. But this is easier said than done because neighborhood kids who had taken it upon themselves to be the "religious police" start to harass her for not dressing modestly enough.
Sohane (understandably) feels a bit of Schadenfreude when she first gets to know this, but pretty soon understands the extent to which this problem has grown when the wannabe gangsters attempt to physically harm Djelila. What follows next is the journey of each girl towards self-discovery, and the price they have to pay for being true to themselves.
"We dreamt of a life that we would build, a life in which no one would step on our feet, in which we would walk with our heads raised. The world had better watch out!"
Things I liked:
-The author's portrayal of the relationship between two sisters who differ greatly in their personality and beliefs and nevertheless love each other very much.
-The writing style, alternating between the past and present. While I'm sure some may find it annoying, but I felt it suited the story very well indeed.
-The story idea gives the reader something to think about. The fact that this truly happened in France is terrifyingly shocking.
-Character development of both Sohane and Djelila. I personally found myself being able to relate to both the sisters very much.
-The raw emotions, the heart-breaking narration- all done to utmost perfection in Sohane's point of view.
-A deep insight into the lives of children living life trying to find their identity in a world where they are judged by their religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
Things I disliked? Well, the book was too short for my liking!! But honestly, even that is understandable considering the nature of the plot. The author could have perhaps elaborated on the religious issues- but it definitely wouldn't have struck a chord with a majority of the audience.
So, all things considered, this was gem of a book, conveying a harrowing and intense story infused with some really powerful moments.
"Most journalists talk about what they do not know, about matters they don’t take the trouble to understand. They adopt the clichés that suit them—take one aspect of an issue until it becomes a caricature. To them, being a Muslim man means wanting to enslave women, to deny them any rights. I can’t say that this isn’t reality. But it’s only one reality among many—the one that is best known since it’s the one that gets the most media coverage. All I need is to be in sync with my beliefs and religion, even if that seems ridiculous to other girls my age. It's true that I've never gone out with a boy. So what? I have lots of other things to think about for now. Besides, love seems too important to last only three days or even two months. Or does being a teenager mean you have to be frivolous? Should your main interest be the color of your eye shadow, or the clothes you wear? Should whether my thong shows above my jeans be my sole concern? What a fascinating debate, right?"
A must-read for fans of realistic fiction that that punches one in the gut.
The story idea: 5/5
The realization of the story: 5/5
The characters: 5/5
The cover: 4/5
Enjoy factor: 5/5
Final Rating:5/5
"I don't want to live in fear. I don't want my choices to be dictated by fear. I don't want to be what others have decided I should be. I want to be myself. Do you understand, Sohane?"
This book just left me feeling speechless. On reading the synopsis I expected a typical conflicted-sister relationship but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity the author carried throughout the book with perfect ease. It was chilling. It was unbelievable. Yet it was based on a TRUE STORY. Well, damn.
Sohane is a typical eighteen-year-old. She loves no one as much as she loves her care-free, gorgeous little sister Djelila- and she hates no one as much. Even though they both grew up together, Sohane can't help but feel Djelila turning into someone different and it frustrates her that she can't stop this.
"I just want to be me. I don't want to be ashamed of being Muslim and of practicing my religion. I'd like people to accept that. I don't intend to harm anyone."
While Sohane accepts being Muslim, along with all that it entails- including the head cover, her sister wants to be free of this. All Djelila wants is to live life the way she wants. But this is easier said than done because neighborhood kids who had taken it upon themselves to be the "religious police" start to harass her for not dressing modestly enough.
Sohane (understandably) feels a bit of Schadenfreude when she first gets to know this, but pretty soon understands the extent to which this problem has grown when the wannabe gangsters attempt to physically harm Djelila. What follows next is the journey of each girl towards self-discovery, and the price they have to pay for being true to themselves.
"We dreamt of a life that we would build, a life in which no one would step on our feet, in which we would walk with our heads raised. The world had better watch out!"
Things I liked:
-The author's portrayal of the relationship between two sisters who differ greatly in their personality and beliefs and nevertheless love each other very much.
-The writing style, alternating between the past and present. While I'm sure some may find it annoying, but I felt it suited the story very well indeed.
-The story idea gives the reader something to think about. The fact that this truly happened in France is terrifyingly shocking.
-Character development of both Sohane and Djelila. I personally found myself being able to relate to both the sisters very much.
-The raw emotions, the heart-breaking narration- all done to utmost perfection in Sohane's point of view.
-A deep insight into the lives of children living life trying to find their identity in a world where they are judged by their religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
Things I disliked? Well, the book was too short for my liking!! But honestly, even that is understandable considering the nature of the plot. The author could have perhaps elaborated on the religious issues- but it definitely wouldn't have struck a chord with a majority of the audience.
So, all things considered, this was gem of a book, conveying a harrowing and intense story infused with some really powerful moments.
"Most journalists talk about what they do not know, about matters they don’t take the trouble to understand. They adopt the clichés that suit them—take one aspect of an issue until it becomes a caricature. To them, being a Muslim man means wanting to enslave women, to deny them any rights. I can’t say that this isn’t reality. But it’s only one reality among many—the one that is best known since it’s the one that gets the most media coverage. All I need is to be in sync with my beliefs and religion, even if that seems ridiculous to other girls my age. It's true that I've never gone out with a boy. So what? I have lots of other things to think about for now. Besides, love seems too important to last only three days or even two months. Or does being a teenager mean you have to be frivolous? Should your main interest be the color of your eye shadow, or the clothes you wear? Should whether my thong shows above my jeans be my sole concern? What a fascinating debate, right?"
A must-read for fans of realistic fiction that that punches one in the gut.
The story idea: 5/5
The realization of the story: 5/5
The characters: 5/5
The cover: 4/5
Enjoy factor: 5/5
Final Rating:5/5