A review by nuts246
A New Year by Leila Aboulela

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

After reading this book, you recognise the profound truth of what Leo Tolstoy meant when when he said "All happy families are alike". Saud's family migrated to the United Kingdom from Sudan 40 years ago. Her children were brought up with traditional Muslim values, and each left home to make a life for themselves. After the sudden death of her husband, she finds herself at a loose end and tries to live with each of her children before finally realising that home is where she is in charge.
Though they are not at all similar, in Saud I saw traces of my own mother. Of a strong woman who tries to adjust to the lifestyle of her children, but cannot stop her desire for things to be done 'her way'. The inevitable conflicts that arise when both parties grit their teeth and attempt to ignore the irritants till it reaches breaking point.
It is not that there is lack of love, the book reassures us. It is just that it is hard for people to adjust to living together when they have been having their own independent lives. I picked up this book because I didn't want to commit to a full length novel by a new (to me) author- I am glad there are many more books left for me to explore.