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A review by nabiila
A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi
5.0
Ahh this is a very special book. What a gem.
A Thousand Questions explores a friendship between two girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Well, ‘different’ is an understatement. One is a girl from America, who upon visiting her homeland finds that her mother comes from money. Her grandparents live in a mansion and employ servants. One of those servants would then become her best friend.
There are many things I love about this. Firstly, I love that it’s set in Pakistan. As someone who doesn’t live in the West, I find stories set in other countries refreshing. As a Muslim, I enjoyed the cultural details as well.
Secondly, I’m in awe of how the author tackled difficult themes from the honest perspectives of children. That’s children for you. Brutally honest, brazen, complex. You’ll find this book to be straightforward, but very moving and heartwarming.
This book is unafraid in its approach toward classism, poverty, and politics. That’s the third thing I love about it. You’ll notice the disparity between the life of a Begum Sahiba and the life of her servants. From the POV of Sakina, we see a little girl grapple with feelings of jealousy toward her wealthier friend, and all the ways her friend’s life is easier than hers. There are also dialogues about the corruptness of politicians and how that ties with poverty issues in the country. (A good lesson to teach children: that poverty is systemic.)
On a more personal note, I was not prepared to be so struck by the important figures in this book: the dads! I found myself relating to Mimi, feeling distant from a father who wasn’t always in her life. I empathized with Sakina. I know what it’s like to worry about a father with diabetes, as mine passed away from that same illness.
I hold this story close to my heart. Thank you Saadia Faruqi!
A Thousand Questions explores a friendship between two girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Well, ‘different’ is an understatement. One is a girl from America, who upon visiting her homeland finds that her mother comes from money. Her grandparents live in a mansion and employ servants. One of those servants would then become her best friend.
There are many things I love about this. Firstly, I love that it’s set in Pakistan. As someone who doesn’t live in the West, I find stories set in other countries refreshing. As a Muslim, I enjoyed the cultural details as well.
Secondly, I’m in awe of how the author tackled difficult themes from the honest perspectives of children. That’s children for you. Brutally honest, brazen, complex. You’ll find this book to be straightforward, but very moving and heartwarming.
This book is unafraid in its approach toward classism, poverty, and politics. That’s the third thing I love about it. You’ll notice the disparity between the life of a Begum Sahiba and the life of her servants. From the POV of Sakina, we see a little girl grapple with feelings of jealousy toward her wealthier friend, and all the ways her friend’s life is easier than hers. There are also dialogues about the corruptness of politicians and how that ties with poverty issues in the country. (A good lesson to teach children: that poverty is systemic.)
On a more personal note, I was not prepared to be so struck by the important figures in this book: the dads! I found myself relating to Mimi, feeling distant from a father who wasn’t always in her life. I empathized with Sakina. I know what it’s like to worry about a father with diabetes, as mine passed away from that same illness.
I hold this story close to my heart. Thank you Saadia Faruqi!