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A review by richincolor
Unbecoming by Seema Yasmin
Review copy: ARC via publisher
Unbecoming is such a timely novel that it is almost scary. Seema Yasmin has created a world that I could easily see becoming a reality and that is terrifying. And that is the feeling I had when I finished the novel – terror. While the story does end on a hopeful note, the terror at the lack of access for women’s healthcare remains in Laylah and Noor’s world, and they are having to continue to fight.
The novel is very fast paced as it spans over the course of a week as Laylah discovers she is pregnant and actually has to live the guidebook she and Noor are creating, in search of mifepristone. The desperation that she feels as time ticks away really comes through and some of the experiences she has, all of them extremely unsafe, truly reinforce how dire lack of access to abortions would be. Laylah had her whole life planned, so this one small hiccup has her spiraling. She is afraid to tell anyone, even her best friend, as she is afraid of losing respect from her friends and family. I really felt for Laylah, because having more info as the reader than Laylah, I knew that would not be case and wished greatly she would share her pain. But the feeling of isolation that Laylah feels only heightens the novel and really hits home how important teens need to have safe spaces with regards to their healthcare. There were so many moments where I was tense at a situation Laylah found herself in and greatly wished for someone to come in and save her.
On the other hand, Noor wonders what is wrong with her best friend, but at the same time is also on a journey of her own to discover shenanigans at their mosque. She is a journalist who still believes in fighting for the truth and is willing to do what she can to reveal those truths. This leads her to team up with a fellow classmate and has them survelling the wife of the mosque’s Imam. They search to uncover a conspiracy they believe a local politician and business person are involved in, only to discover the situation is not what they believed. Noor is very steadfast in her convictions and is willing to stand up for what is right, that includes standing up to her journalism teacher who would rather she stick to non-controversial and political topics. I loved this trait in Noor as she is a prime example of how well informed her generation is and is willing to fight for the future they want.
While the novel has some extremely tense moments, it does have moments of levity. Laylah’s auntie and her friends bring some lightness but also wisdom. When Laylah disassociates it comes in the form of a Bollywood film full of spectacle which gives a brief moment of ease in an otherwise tense moment. This book is also definitely about sisterhood and the moments that Laylah and Noor are together is like a warm hug.
This book was so good and intense and moving that the real takeaway is that everyone should read this novel and put themselves in Laylah’s and Noor’s to understand, no feel, what could happen in our country if women’s access to healthcare is taken away.
Unbecoming is such a timely novel that it is almost scary. Seema Yasmin has created a world that I could easily see becoming a reality and that is terrifying. And that is the feeling I had when I finished the novel – terror. While the story does end on a hopeful note, the terror at the lack of access for women’s healthcare remains in Laylah and Noor’s world, and they are having to continue to fight.
The novel is very fast paced as it spans over the course of a week as Laylah discovers she is pregnant and actually has to live the guidebook she and Noor are creating, in search of mifepristone. The desperation that she feels as time ticks away really comes through and some of the experiences she has, all of them extremely unsafe, truly reinforce how dire lack of access to abortions would be. Laylah had her whole life planned, so this one small hiccup has her spiraling. She is afraid to tell anyone, even her best friend, as she is afraid of losing respect from her friends and family. I really felt for Laylah, because having more info as the reader than Laylah, I knew that would not be case and wished greatly she would share her pain. But the feeling of isolation that Laylah feels only heightens the novel and really hits home how important teens need to have safe spaces with regards to their healthcare. There were so many moments where I was tense at a situation Laylah found herself in and greatly wished for someone to come in and save her.
On the other hand, Noor wonders what is wrong with her best friend, but at the same time is also on a journey of her own to discover shenanigans at their mosque. She is a journalist who still believes in fighting for the truth and is willing to do what she can to reveal those truths. This leads her to team up with a fellow classmate and has them survelling the wife of the mosque’s Imam. They search to uncover a conspiracy they believe a local politician and business person are involved in, only to discover the situation is not what they believed. Noor is very steadfast in her convictions and is willing to stand up for what is right, that includes standing up to her journalism teacher who would rather she stick to non-controversial and political topics. I loved this trait in Noor as she is a prime example of how well informed her generation is and is willing to fight for the future they want.
While the novel has some extremely tense moments, it does have moments of levity. Laylah’s auntie and her friends bring some lightness but also wisdom. When Laylah disassociates it comes in the form of a Bollywood film full of spectacle which gives a brief moment of ease in an otherwise tense moment. This book is also definitely about sisterhood and the moments that Laylah and Noor are together is like a warm hug.
This book was so good and intense and moving that the real takeaway is that everyone should read this novel and put themselves in Laylah’s and Noor’s to understand, no feel, what could happen in our country if women’s access to healthcare is taken away.