A review by kay_m
I Can't Think Straight by Shamim Sarif

2.0

I'd love to give this novel a higher rating, given the dearth of international sapphic lit, and novels featuring protagonists other than blue-eyed white gals. But the plot was pretty unbelievable and the romance was rushed. We go immediately from a first meeting during which Tala (a Christian Arab from Jordan) aggressively grills Leyla (a Muslim woman of Indian extraction) about her religion, to them suddenly being head-over-heels in love. And whereas Tala is initially the pursuer, the tables turn equally suddenly, such that shy, timid and closeted Leyla is the bold pursuer, demanding that Tala come out to her family. Conversations about homophobia in diverse cultures are certainly needed, but this just rang as too forced, artificial and unbelievable.

The book is based on the film (circa 2008) and independent movie reviewers thought that too was weak and amateurish, with the two main actors lacking chemistry and not passing well for lesbian.

Oh, well. (Sigh.)