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A review by bethanymiller415
I Love I Hate I Miss My Sister by Amélie Sarn
3.0
My review is followed by a student review that presents a differing opinion.
Grade Range: 9-12
Genre: Multicultural, Realistic Fiction
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Recommended
This slim novel explores the relationship between two French Muslim sisters through the lens of Sohane’s grief after her sister Djelila’s murder. The plot moves back and forth between the events leading up to and the aftermath of Djelila’s murder. At the same time that Sohane is becoming more outward in her devotion to her religion, Djelila is drawing away from it, and her “immodest” clothing and make up are offensive to some in their project, particularly a gang of teenage boys – Sohane calls them “our little judges” - who have dropped out of school and spend their days lurking around the project. Sohane’s decision to wear the traditional Muslim head scarf puts her at odds with her public school, which prohibits students from wearing religious symbols.
The novel’s title says all you need to know about the relationship between the two sisters, and most readers who have a sister can relate to the mixed emotions that the girls have towards each other. The cultural component of the novel is interesting but maybe difficult to grasp for American teen readers who are unfamiliar with the specific setting of the novel – A French housing project populated almost exclusively by Muslims, many of whom are first generation immigrants. There is a glossary in the back to help and most words can be understood through context. However, the cultural backdrop including the discriminatory treatment of French Muslims will probably by unfamiliar to most teens.
The writing seemed a bit stilted at times and Sohane’s voice sometimes sounds like the author coming out and blatantly stating her opinions. The novel was originally published in France in 2005 and was recently translated to English. Perhaps some of the author’s style was lost in translation? The author states in the acknowledgements in the beginning of the book that prior to writing it she was ignorant on various aspects of the Muslim religion. Knowing that she was not Muslim might have made the book a little less powerful for me because I knew that she was not writing from personal experience at least in that aspect of the book. That might reflect more on me than it does on the book, but it just made Sohane’s narration seem less authentic. Maybe because I knew what was coming from the beginning, I didn’t feel a strong emotional build up leading to Djelila’s death. I felt removed in a way that I would if I was reading about a tragic death in the newspaper as opposed to the emotional investment that a novel usually brings. Recommended for libraries that have a large demand for young adult multicultural fiction.
Review by Dominique E (11th grade)
Grade Range: 10-12
Genre: Multicultural, Realistic Fiction
Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: Excellent
Recommendation: Highly recommended
This book is short on pages but long on emotion and literary power. The story is about Sohane and Djelila, two Muslim sisters who are different from each other. Sohane is respectful, and religious, Djelila is outspoken, modern and rebellious. The two personalities collide repeatedly, but they nonetheless love each other until a horrible accident separates the two girls forever. Can Sohane live without her sister and the guilt?
The characters were pretty good. The main character Sohane annoyed me with her jealousy of her sister, while her younger sister Dejlila reminded me of myself as far as attitude and rebelliousness goes. This story of sibling rivalry explores violence on people because of their culture and religion as well as violence against women. The novel was short but full of raw emotion between the sisters, I definitely give this book a 9 out of 10.
Grade Range: 9-12
Genre: Multicultural, Realistic Fiction
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Recommended
This slim novel explores the relationship between two French Muslim sisters through the lens of Sohane’s grief after her sister Djelila’s murder. The plot moves back and forth between the events leading up to and the aftermath of Djelila’s murder. At the same time that Sohane is becoming more outward in her devotion to her religion, Djelila is drawing away from it, and her “immodest” clothing and make up are offensive to some in their project, particularly a gang of teenage boys – Sohane calls them “our little judges” - who have dropped out of school and spend their days lurking around the project. Sohane’s decision to wear the traditional Muslim head scarf puts her at odds with her public school, which prohibits students from wearing religious symbols.
The novel’s title says all you need to know about the relationship between the two sisters, and most readers who have a sister can relate to the mixed emotions that the girls have towards each other. The cultural component of the novel is interesting but maybe difficult to grasp for American teen readers who are unfamiliar with the specific setting of the novel – A French housing project populated almost exclusively by Muslims, many of whom are first generation immigrants. There is a glossary in the back to help and most words can be understood through context. However, the cultural backdrop including the discriminatory treatment of French Muslims will probably by unfamiliar to most teens.
The writing seemed a bit stilted at times and Sohane’s voice sometimes sounds like the author coming out and blatantly stating her opinions. The novel was originally published in France in 2005 and was recently translated to English. Perhaps some of the author’s style was lost in translation? The author states in the acknowledgements in the beginning of the book that prior to writing it she was ignorant on various aspects of the Muslim religion. Knowing that she was not Muslim might have made the book a little less powerful for me because I knew that she was not writing from personal experience at least in that aspect of the book. That might reflect more on me than it does on the book, but it just made Sohane’s narration seem less authentic. Maybe because I knew what was coming from the beginning, I didn’t feel a strong emotional build up leading to Djelila’s death. I felt removed in a way that I would if I was reading about a tragic death in the newspaper as opposed to the emotional investment that a novel usually brings. Recommended for libraries that have a large demand for young adult multicultural fiction.
Review by Dominique E (11th grade)
Grade Range: 10-12
Genre: Multicultural, Realistic Fiction
Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: Excellent
Recommendation: Highly recommended
This book is short on pages but long on emotion and literary power. The story is about Sohane and Djelila, two Muslim sisters who are different from each other. Sohane is respectful, and religious, Djelila is outspoken, modern and rebellious. The two personalities collide repeatedly, but they nonetheless love each other until a horrible accident separates the two girls forever. Can Sohane live without her sister and the guilt?
The characters were pretty good. The main character Sohane annoyed me with her jealousy of her sister, while her younger sister Dejlila reminded me of myself as far as attitude and rebelliousness goes. This story of sibling rivalry explores violence on people because of their culture and religion as well as violence against women. The novel was short but full of raw emotion between the sisters, I definitely give this book a 9 out of 10.