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A review by mediocre_writings
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan
4.0
This was a hard one to read.
I had read through some of the reviews before reading the actual book (accidentally spoiling a huge plot-point, because someone in this review-section forgot to hide their spoilers), so I knew this was not going to be rainbows and roses, but that didn’t make it easier to read.
I probably didn’t read it at the ideal time in my life either, but that’s not important.
Now, I am a white person, so I can’t really speak for most of the culture being shown in this book, except to say that I really enjoyed getting to know it.
I generally liked reading a queer book that stood apart from the usual White/American/European MCs, to get to know a story of someone whose culture is so different from my own (if you can call mine even a culture, lol).
Nevertheless, as a queer person, a lot of the things, especially the homophobia in this book hurt on a personal level
Some of the scenes in this book were genuinely terrifying. It wasn’t the kind nail-biting-mortal-danger-for-a-few-chapters kind of fear, it was just that nagging in the back of my head that something was about to go very, very wrong.
I truly admire Sabina Khan for being able to bring that feeling across so vividly. It wasn’t just that fear that seemed to jump off the page, it was all the huge emotions within this book, the love, the happiness, the anger and rage
The only reason this book is not a five-star-read for me is because of the last chapters. I can’t explain it without spoilering anything.
I also realise that the character of Rukhsana’s mother went through something more terrible than I could ever imagine, but I can’t forgive her actions because of it.
I also thought the turn-around of her parents was a bit too quick. Yes, someone’s death can fundamentally change a person but this development still seemed a bit rushed to me.
4,4/5 stars
I had read through some of the reviews before reading the actual book (accidentally spoiling a huge plot-point, because someone in this review-section forgot to hide their spoilers), so I knew this was not going to be rainbows and roses, but that didn’t make it easier to read.
I probably didn’t read it at the ideal time in my life either, but that’s not important.
Now, I am a white person, so I can’t really speak for most of the culture being shown in this book, except to say that I really enjoyed getting to know it
Spoiler
even though it was overshadowed by the extreme homophobiaI generally liked reading a queer book that stood apart from the usual White/American/European MCs, to get to know a story of someone whose culture is so different from my own (if you can call mine even a culture, lol).
Nevertheless, as a queer person, a lot of the things, especially the homophobia in this book hurt on a personal level
Spoiler
and when Sohail died, even though it had been spoilered for me, it felt like a physical punch, not because I was so attached to the character, but because I realised how realistic the scenario was. How this is a story that actual, real people across the world could tell. To know that, if I had been born under different circumstances, into a different family, this could be something I would have to go through, just because of who I am, that hurt.Some of the scenes in this book were genuinely terrifying. It wasn’t the kind nail-biting-mortal-danger-for-a-few-chapters kind of fear, it was just that nagging in the back of my head that something was about to go very, very wrong.
I truly admire Sabina Khan for being able to bring that feeling across so vividly. It wasn’t just that fear that seemed to jump off the page, it was all the huge emotions within this book, the love, the happiness, the anger and rage
Spoiler
and also the grief that numbs everything. In that regard, one quote that struck out to me was towards the end, after Sohail died:“I wanted to reach out and hold him. To cry with him and try to make sense of this insanity. But all I could do was say his name over and over again while his heart broke thousands of miles away.
“I didn’t even get to say goodbye.” His voice quivered with tears and mine finally came. I could do nothing to stop them. I didn’t want to.
The only reason this book is not a five-star-read for me is because of the last chapters. I can’t explain it without spoilering anything.
Spoiler
I just thought that would never be able to forgive anyone for doing to me what Rukhsana’s parents did to her. I know that my culture is very different and that I probably just don’t get how much family means to her, so it might just be my own ignorance keeping me from fully enjoying this book.I also realise that the character of Rukhsana’s mother went through something more terrible than I could ever imagine, but I can’t forgive her actions because of it.
I also thought the turn-around of her parents was a bit too quick. Yes, someone’s death can fundamentally change a person but this development still seemed a bit rushed to me.
4,4/5 stars