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A review by 1siobhan
The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write by Sabrina Mahfouz
3.0
I read this book as part of the OurSharedShelf bookclub. Although the topic was really interesting, I wasn't entirely happy with this book.
"The Things I Would Tell You" combines drama, poetry, essays, fiction and spoken word pieces, all under the topic of "British Muslim Women Write". Some parts of the book were excellent, other parts of the book I could not understand / connect with enough. However, the overall topic was very interesting, offered genuine insight into the lives and struggles of British Muslim Women and gave them a platform to not only show that they are excellent writers but also show how racism affects their everyday lives.
One of the best and saddest pieces was written by Aisha Mirza and was called "Staying Alive Through Brexit. Racism, Mental Health and Emotional Labour": "The music is good, the weather is good, I look good in the photos, my friends are nice and I am the most comfortably gay I have ever been. This hsould be a good or at least average day but I realise I am uncomfortable. [...] As I leave, an intuitive friend asks me how I feel about Brexit. On a quiet corner I cry and gasp and try not to piss myself. Brexit. I have never felt so far from home." (170-171)
3 Stars.
"The Things I Would Tell You" combines drama, poetry, essays, fiction and spoken word pieces, all under the topic of "British Muslim Women Write". Some parts of the book were excellent, other parts of the book I could not understand / connect with enough. However, the overall topic was very interesting, offered genuine insight into the lives and struggles of British Muslim Women and gave them a platform to not only show that they are excellent writers but also show how racism affects their everyday lives.
One of the best and saddest pieces was written by Aisha Mirza and was called "Staying Alive Through Brexit. Racism, Mental Health and Emotional Labour": "The music is good, the weather is good, I look good in the photos, my friends are nice and I am the most comfortably gay I have ever been. This hsould be a good or at least average day but I realise I am uncomfortable. [...] As I leave, an intuitive friend asks me how I feel about Brexit. On a quiet corner I cry and gasp and try not to piss myself. Brexit. I have never felt so far from home." (170-171)
3 Stars.