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A review by mochi21
The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
This was a good book objectively. For me, it was just a little slow and heavy. I had the issue with it that I always have with books that have more than one perspective : one narrator was more interesting than the other.
Safwa's life, though traumatizing, were leaps and bounds better for reading than Anvar's. This is intentional, and is explained once their stories weave together, but it doesn't make Anvar's early chapters any easier to read.
But the characters are lovable (namely Anvar's father and Zuhra), and the dialogue is spot on. The cover is gorgeous. The writing is technically iron clad, and I feel satisfied now that I've finished it.
And kudos to Masood for writing two dynamic, fleshed out, interesting women. Zuhra and Safwa are both firecrackers (though different) and I found them both realistic and likable.
As a white american, I feel that this story was important for me to read and illuminated an issue I haven't given enough thought before, and taught me a lot. I think everyone should give it a go.
Safwa's life, though traumatizing, were leaps and bounds better for reading than Anvar's. This is intentional, and is explained once their stories weave together, but it doesn't make Anvar's early chapters any easier to read.
But the characters are lovable (namely Anvar's father and Zuhra), and the dialogue is spot on. The cover is gorgeous. The writing is technically iron clad, and I feel satisfied now that I've finished it.
And kudos to Masood for writing two dynamic, fleshed out, interesting women. Zuhra and Safwa are both firecrackers (though different) and I found them both realistic and likable.
As a white american, I feel that this story was important for me to read and illuminated an issue I haven't given enough thought before, and taught me a lot. I think everyone should give it a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault