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stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
First Review: I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting and could not put it down.
Updated Review:
I love Ayesha at Last. This is the fourth time I've read this book and it won't be my last.
Things I'm here for:
Authentic South Asian Representation
Muslim representation that shows Muslims are not a monolith
Muslim Romance
Ayesha is a strong Muslim woman. She is still learning who she is and what she wants. She is complicated.
Khalil loves deeply. He trusts in his Faith, and learns that Faith has many options.
This is an excellent retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It doesn't follow the story scene for scene, and there is a heavy dose of Shakespeare in there from Nana. You can feel the similarities like a thought in your subconscious. You know this story is timeless.
This is my 22nd book for The Diverse Baseline Challenge, and the first for the prompt of Desi or South Asian Author.
First Review: I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting and could not put it down.
Updated Review:
I love Ayesha at Last. This is the fourth time I've read this book and it won't be my last.
Things I'm here for:
Authentic South Asian Representation
Muslim representation that shows Muslims are not a monolith
Muslim Romance
Ayesha is a strong Muslim woman. She is still learning who she is and what she wants. She is complicated.
Khalil loves deeply. He trusts in his Faith, and learns that Faith has many options.
This is an excellent retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It doesn't follow the story scene for scene, and there is a heavy dose of Shakespeare in there from Nana. You can feel the similarities like a thought in your subconscious. You know this story is timeless.
This is my 22nd book for The Diverse Baseline Challenge, and the first for the prompt of Desi or South Asian Author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Alcohol
thisbookisbananas's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Pride and Prejudice. It’s the only classic I’ve re-read multiple times. Ayesha at Last is a Pride and Prejudice retelling that has been handled so smartly. Uzma Jalaluddin kept important plot beats of the original work in and punched the storyline up with issues and topics that make sense in a Southeast Asian and Muslim background. With all of the references to Bollywood movies, it makes sense that this book was drenched in delicious drama. I was so happy for it and the beautiful happily ever after! All in all a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Abortion, and Toxic friendship
kristinj1's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is a really interesting story, mainly because it was a world that I really know nothing about and having zero experience with. There were a few things about the writing that I bumped against, but overall I think the story was a really interesting one. Depicting a few people who were set up as villains in the story as just overall bad people without any redeeming qualities. It feels like these were based on real life people and had realistic stories, so feel weird that they already picked it in such a negative way without any mitigating circumstances or stories to be told. That being said, it was still really fascinating look at a Muslim community in Toronto. I think I would probably read the next story in this series, we're there to be one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
stuckinatimeloop's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
as a south asian muslim, i loved this book. it was relatable and well written for the most part. the ending was rushed however. the conflict with tarek was introduced too late. and i would have liked to see a bit more of ayesha and khalid being together. an epilogue would have been nice.
i didn't like how sometimes india and pakistan were presented as being backwards and there was one part like this isn't india or pakistan you can do whatever you want. i'm paraphrasing here but the general gist was that over there people don't have much choice in who they marry and how they live their life. and it didn't really sit well with me. but I'll read some more from this author before i can form a valid opinion
i didn't like how sometimes india and pakistan were presented as being backwards and there was one part like this isn't india or pakistan you can do whatever you want. i'm paraphrasing here but the general gist was that over there people don't have much choice in who they marry and how they live their life. and it didn't really sit well with me. but I'll read some more from this author before i can form a valid opinion
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
aformeracceleratedreader's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Didn't know this was a Pride and Prejudice retelling of sorts. I don't like Pride and Prejudice but I did enjoy this retelling overall. Didn't love it because the characters are frustrating but I did like the discussion of Islamophobia in Canada (it's a nice change from experiencing it/reading about it from the u.s.).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
nrhilmer's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Death of parent
isabellarob73's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book, and enjoy anything that resembles Pride and Prejudice. I thought the two romantic leads were endearing, I just wish the book spent more time on their romance. The book had too many plots, involving too many characters to the point where I was frustrated with everyone in the book and forgot that it was even supposed to be a romance. Still, I enjoyed Ayesha and Khalid, and Nana, of course!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War
taulkstoomuch's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book so much, I finished listening to the audiobook in less than 3 days. It just goes to show how important representation matters, I felt like I was listening to secret family gossip the whole time. The relationship between Khalid and Ayesha was so pure and beautiful, I caught myself smiling throughout the book.
Other than the narrators butchered Urdu and Hindi pronunciation, I have no complaints. Such a fun read!
Other than the narrators butchered Urdu and Hindi pronunciation, I have no complaints. Such a fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Minor: Body shaming and Violence
annaem's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“Chai was so much more than a caffeine kick for her. She knew how every member of her family liked to drink their tea, how much sugar or honey to put in each cup. Chai was love, distilled and warming. She drank and relished the silence.”
I love a good Jane Austen retelling and this one delivers. Ayesha at Last is a fairly loose retelling that brings Pride & Prejudice into the 21st Century Canadian Muslim community. Ayesha and Khalistan are both so likeable. Ayesha is outspoken, opinionated and of course, extremely stubborn. Khalid is a quiet character, a conservative Muslim, including dressing in traditional Muslim clothing. Much of the prejudice focuses around Khalid and attitudes toward him including workplace discrimination and Ayesha’s own assumptions. A brilliant update for Pride & Prejudice fans.
I love a good Jane Austen retelling and this one delivers. Ayesha at Last is a fairly loose retelling that brings Pride & Prejudice into the 21st Century Canadian Muslim community. Ayesha and Khalistan are both so likeable. Ayesha is outspoken, opinionated and of course, extremely stubborn. Khalid is a quiet character, a conservative Muslim, including dressing in traditional Muslim clothing. Much of the prejudice focuses around Khalid and attitudes toward him including workplace discrimination and Ayesha’s own assumptions. A brilliant update for Pride & Prejudice fans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry