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A review by bookishmillennial
Four Eids and a Funeral by Adiba Jaigirdar, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc and Libro FM for the ALC. I am providing this review of my own accord.
Two favorites teamed up to deliver a banger of a co-written young adult romcom and coming of age story. When their favorite librarian Ms. Barnes passes away, Tiwa and Said are thrown together not only for funeral and memorial services, but are left something from Ms. Barnes' will. The catch is... they haven't talked in years really, since Said left for his boarding school, and tragedy hit Tiwa's family. This new forced proximity leaves an opening for them to finally contend with their disdain for each other, and if there's hope to rekindle their friendship ever again.
I appreciated the commentary on the anti-Blackness that Tiwa experienced by their own community, and the lateral emotional and mental violence that she experienced. I hope this opens more folks eyes that being Muslim does not have to *look* a certain way in order to be valid or "enough".
I also loved that the pain and anger that Tiwa and Said felt towards one another felt so real? Like, I can absolutely imagine being in either of their shoes at their age, and feeling the wrath just as they did. I didn't blame either of them for their frustrations, and I thought AJ & FAI illustrated this teenage angst and betrayal perfectly, as they typically do, so I am not surprised in the least.
Anyway, I loved reading about these two friends finding their way back to one another, amidst grief and pain, and holding onto the hope of a future alongside one another, and reveling in community.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc and Libro FM for the ALC. I am providing this review of my own accord.
Two favorites teamed up to deliver a banger of a co-written young adult romcom and coming of age story. When their favorite librarian Ms. Barnes passes away, Tiwa and Said are thrown together not only for funeral and memorial services, but are left something from Ms. Barnes' will. The catch is... they haven't talked in years really, since Said left for his boarding school, and tragedy hit Tiwa's family. This new forced proximity leaves an opening for them to finally contend with their disdain for each other, and if there's hope to rekindle their friendship ever again.
I appreciated the commentary on the anti-Blackness that Tiwa experienced by their own community, and the lateral emotional and mental violence that she experienced. I hope this opens more folks eyes that being Muslim does not have to *look* a certain way in order to be valid or "enough".
I also loved that the pain and anger that Tiwa and Said felt towards one another felt so real? Like, I can absolutely imagine being in either of their shoes at their age, and feeling the wrath just as they did. I didn't blame either of them for their frustrations, and I thought AJ & FAI illustrated this teenage angst and betrayal perfectly, as they typically do, so I am not surprised in the least.
Anyway, I loved reading about these two friends finding their way back to one another, amidst grief and pain, and holding onto the hope of a future alongside one another, and reveling in community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Child death, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, and Cursing