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A review by jeanwatts
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
While this novel touched on a lot of great stuff surrounding how white culture views Muslims and the Islamic world (especially right after 9/11), it just fell flat to me. The writing is trying so hard to be teenager like that it feels fake. The body image of another character feels more damaging than productive.
I do think this book is a great starting point for teens trying to learn that you don’t have to explain your identity or beliefs to anyone you don’t want to and instead live the life and identity you want. It was still not the best written or flushed out novel regarding Muslim culture and faith as other books currently published would.
I would instead recommend A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. This one might also be getting slightly dated but I feel like it covers similar topics in a more impactful and emotional way.
I do think this book is a great starting point for teens trying to learn that you don’t have to explain your identity or beliefs to anyone you don’t want to and instead live the life and identity you want. It was still not the best written or flushed out novel regarding Muslim culture and faith as other books currently published would.
I would instead recommend A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. This one might also be getting slightly dated but I feel like it covers similar topics in a more impactful and emotional way.