At first, I didn’t understand the hype about the book and thought it was a silly badly written romance. No, as I progressed, it got better and better and more frustration and sadder. At some point, I was full on sobbing. Second ever book to make me do that. At first I didnt understand why Sal rejected Noor and thought it was just a plot-device that has no purpose, but when Sal’s thing is revealed, I understood. I love Sal. I relate to him. His anger and desperation. Sal didnt deserve that and I’m glad it’s a happy ending. I want to know more about how they live. I hope Misbah is resting peacefully. I hope Toufiq becomes a good dad to Sal again. I hope Noor gets the life she wants and deserves. I hope Sal and Noor are happy. I also love the Imam and Khadija. I love how the Imam does not tell Noor that yes, god only gives us what we can handle in that one scene. Because sometimes it IS too much. And we can’t handle. That’s okay. The muslim rep not being accurate to me is not an issue, the characters explicitly say that they are not religious. And that’s the reality of muslims. Not everyone is a devoted muslim. Also, I feel sad for Shaukat. Yes he is an abuser. Yes I have no sympathy for him. Yes he can rot in hell. But also, his lost dreams that he for sure could have achieved. I feel sad that he rejects his culture this intensely and blames Noor for his failure. I like the criticism of islam that came from him, though the delivery was abysmal, he had some correct points.
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Drug use, Xenophobia, Classism, Bullying, Child abuse, Vomit, Alcohol, Death, Racial slurs, Misogyny, and Islamophobia
Minor: Sexual assault