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A review by jugglingpup
Hijab and Red Lipstick by Yousra Imran
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!