I loved this book. I thought I knew what to expect, and there were no surprises in terms of subject matter, but I hadn't thought to be so drawn in and involved. In essence this is a village dispute, a storyline that I worried would feel a little 'done', but the way Ayisha Malik introduces her cast of characters ensures that the reader doesn't get bored. Everyone has their own problems that they aren't dealing with and the potential mosque in a sleepy English village becomes almost a welcome distraction.
What I loved about the book most was that it doesn't shy away from big topics, while never being a difficult read. Grief and lost opportunity are dealt with so well, along with the obvious issue of race. Some of the situations Bilal's family faced felt unfortunately familiar to me. In less skilled hands this could have been a very different book but I'm so grateful for having had the opportunity to read this novel.
What I loved about the book most was that it doesn't shy away from big topics, while never being a difficult read. Grief and lost opportunity are dealt with so well, along with the obvious issue of race. Some of the situations Bilal's family faced felt unfortunately familiar to me. In less skilled hands this could have been a very different book but I'm so grateful for having had the opportunity to read this novel.