I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book. My first impressions from the cover weren’t great, I don’t know why I just don’t like the artwork. But shame on me for judging before reading, because I loved this novel. Malik employs so many different layers to tell this story of belonging. There was humour and wit, there was tender sadness, there was love and friendship, and hatred and feuds.
The story primarily follows Bilal who is asked by his mother (whilst on her deathbed) to reconnect with his Muslim routes and build a mosque in the quaint little traditional ’English countryside’ village in which he now lives. Alongside this journey, we have many side plots, all of them in one way or another following the theme of human connection. My absolute favourite character was Khala; beautifully developed throughout the plot, and such a comforting presence.
This book was very easy to read and had the added bonus of offering some educational insight into Islamic faith in an enjoyable and accessible way.
Four stars for this book, I held back on five because Mariam’s character really grated on me. I know this was probably intended but I found her behaviours towards Bilal very frustrating.
The story primarily follows Bilal who is asked by his mother (whilst on her deathbed) to reconnect with his Muslim routes and build a mosque in the quaint little traditional ’English countryside’ village in which he now lives. Alongside this journey, we have many side plots, all of them in one way or another following the theme of human connection. My absolute favourite character was Khala; beautifully developed throughout the plot, and such a comforting presence.
This book was very easy to read and had the added bonus of offering some educational insight into Islamic faith in an enjoyable and accessible way.
Four stars for this book, I held back on five because Mariam’s character really grated on me. I know this was probably intended but I found her behaviours towards Bilal very frustrating.