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Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated The Beauty of Your Face in Books
Apr 29, 2021
You can also read my review at my blog - roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah is a poignantly written story of a Muslim Palestinian family living in America which challenges stereotypes and prejudice through rich characterisation and a moving plotline.
The novel follows the life of Afaf Rahman, beginning at the nail-biting attack of a white extremist at the Muslim high-school of which Afaf is principal. The story then begins to intersperse these dramatic present day events with flashbacks of Afaf’s past, telling us of how an equally devastating event has destructive repercussions upon her family affecting profoundly the woman Afaf has become.
When Afaf was a girl her sister disappears. Each member of the family is impacted by this differently and we see how the different emotions they experience sadly divides the home, leading each of the characters to become more and more isolated in their private, emotional turmoil, unable to share this pain with anyone else.
The emotional level of this book is deep and Mustafah skillfully draws the reader to understand the emotions of each member of the Rahman family, and we become empathetic observers of their descent to a fragmented family torn apart by their grief.
Yet the present day Afaf we meet at the beginning of the book is a strong woman of faith, who appears to be far removed from the young girl of her past. As we journey alongside her we see how her tragic life experiences are not merely deeply painful, but formative and how her Muslim faith becomes the pillar to which she is able to cling and withstand the most horrific of circumstances.
The Beauty of Your Face explores what it means to be a Muslim living in a Western country developing a narrative pursuing themes of assimilation, xenophobia, racism, identity and forgiveness. It is harrowing and shocking at times and does not balk from describing the ugliness of prejudice and racial hatred. Yet, Mustafah ultimately tells a tale of redemption and hope, showing that we can transcend these attitudes and grow instead peace, forgiveness and love.
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah is a poignantly written story of a Muslim Palestinian family living in America which challenges stereotypes and prejudice through rich characterisation and a moving plotline.
The novel follows the life of Afaf Rahman, beginning at the nail-biting attack of a white extremist at the Muslim high-school of which Afaf is principal. The story then begins to intersperse these dramatic present day events with flashbacks of Afaf’s past, telling us of how an equally devastating event has destructive repercussions upon her family affecting profoundly the woman Afaf has become.
When Afaf was a girl her sister disappears. Each member of the family is impacted by this differently and we see how the different emotions they experience sadly divides the home, leading each of the characters to become more and more isolated in their private, emotional turmoil, unable to share this pain with anyone else.
The emotional level of this book is deep and Mustafah skillfully draws the reader to understand the emotions of each member of the Rahman family, and we become empathetic observers of their descent to a fragmented family torn apart by their grief.
Yet the present day Afaf we meet at the beginning of the book is a strong woman of faith, who appears to be far removed from the young girl of her past. As we journey alongside her we see how her tragic life experiences are not merely deeply painful, but formative and how her Muslim faith becomes the pillar to which she is able to cling and withstand the most horrific of circumstances.
The Beauty of Your Face explores what it means to be a Muslim living in a Western country developing a narrative pursuing themes of assimilation, xenophobia, racism, identity and forgiveness. It is harrowing and shocking at times and does not balk from describing the ugliness of prejudice and racial hatred. Yet, Mustafah ultimately tells a tale of redemption and hope, showing that we can transcend these attitudes and grow instead peace, forgiveness and love.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I enjoyed Ms. Dicken's work with this newest installment in the My Heart Belongs series. She is a superbly talented author and really swept me away with her coal mining setting and her beautifully chiseled characters. As a granddaughter of a miner, I really loved reading this time period.
Alex and Leanna's characters were perfect! I was instantly captivated by them both and loved watching them grow in their feelings for each other. And, the sweet children! Oh how I adored them and was glad that they were in the story.
This is definitely a 4 star addition to the series. If you are longing for a book that will take you away to a richly detailed historical setting, to a world where the characters become like family, and a book that is filled with beautiful messages of longing, hope and forgiveness, then grab this one up! Ms. Dicken has a new fan in me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/CelebrateLit Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Alex and Leanna's characters were perfect! I was instantly captivated by them both and loved watching them grow in their feelings for each other. And, the sweet children! Oh how I adored them and was glad that they were in the story.
This is definitely a 4 star addition to the series. If you are longing for a book that will take you away to a richly detailed historical setting, to a world where the characters become like family, and a book that is filled with beautiful messages of longing, hope and forgiveness, then grab this one up! Ms. Dicken has a new fan in me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/CelebrateLit Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated When Mercy Rains (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Where Mercy Rains by Kim Vogel Sawyer What finish to his book. It quite a story. It a little heartfelt story. It a story about a mother and daughter. Suzanne is force to do something for years. Suzanne has secrets of her own. She was asked to come back home to care for her mother. What happen between her and her daughter.Paul see Suzanne again. He meets Alexa and starts to feel his guilt. Will there be a forgiveness for them all? Suzanne has one thing to tell Paul about a secret that happens 20 years earlier. While things are a bit strange when she first arrives. She does not know if her mother wants her there or her siblings. There are some things going on between Abigail and her children. She also meets her granddaughter she never knew about. There are twist and turns. Will there be healing for them all? Is there really what could heal the hurts. Will Paul and Suzanne talk about what happen between and why she left the community.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Bride Wore Blue (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This book was something that keep interest to the end. Vivian and her Aunt Alma start out on the train to Cripple Creek. Vivian Aunt is only staying for a week or two before she head back to Maine. Vivian has her only ideas and what she wants to do.
Carter is a lawman who seem determined to keep Cripple Creek safe. He been dealing with bank robberies. He here that the train was robbed of the cash book by two men. When the train travels in to Cripple Creek. Carter see a young woman and she the one who tripped the short man. It really a strange that Carter and Vivian would see each other often somewhere in town.
Vivian and Carter do not that they will help each other and find love that the same time. They both start with their own struggles. They were needing find Grace and Forgiveness though God and there mistakes. Do they overcome their fears and struggles and mistakes? Read it to find out.
Carter is a lawman who seem determined to keep Cripple Creek safe. He been dealing with bank robberies. He here that the train was robbed of the cash book by two men. When the train travels in to Cripple Creek. Carter see a young woman and she the one who tripped the short man. It really a strange that Carter and Vivian would see each other often somewhere in town.
Vivian and Carter do not that they will help each other and find love that the same time. They both start with their own struggles. They were needing find Grace and Forgiveness though God and there mistakes. Do they overcome their fears and struggles and mistakes? Read it to find out.
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