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A review by kelseysreads
The Royal Abduls by Ramiza Shamoun Koya
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this one (though if you’re looking for a lighthearted story, this isn’t it). Set a few years after 9/11, Amina is a scientist who takes a postdoc position in Washington DC to be near her brother and his family, including her nephew, 11 year old Omar. We see the impact of Islamophobia and racism in the US, as well as the struggles of what it means to be a second- and third-gen immigrant; how does identity work if you feel pulled between two cultures?
I read some very negative reviews from Muslim reviewers online and I feel the need to say that the characters in this book are not observant Muslims- they are secular Muslims, just like the author was. But as the story shows, racists don’t care if you go to mosque or not if your name is Mohammad. I think there is a lot of value in the experiences Koya depicts in this novel, and it calls for an examination of how much work we still need to do as a society.
I read some very negative reviews from Muslim reviewers online and I feel the need to say that the characters in this book are not observant Muslims- they are secular Muslims, just like the author was. But as the story shows, racists don’t care if you go to mosque or not if your name is Mohammad. I think there is a lot of value in the experiences Koya depicts in this novel, and it calls for an examination of how much work we still need to do as a society.