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coffeekitaab's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
YTYM is a necessary read. After the media coverage of a murder in North West London renders the perpetrator a terrorist based only on race, Hanan Ali, a Muslim Somalian, straight A achieving student, faces bullying and islamophobia at her prestigious grammar school. Hanan always tries to keep a low profile at school, her ultimate goal is to pass the admissions test to Medical School, but the onslaught of abuse from her peers and condescending attitude by the principal isolates Hanan further. The story broke my heart in so many places, especially the second half; Hanan and the bond she shares with her twin brother Hussein is everything. This is a story about finding your voice to stand up against hate crime and the beauty in diversity.
There are so many aspects that I enjoyed - reading about Somalian culture and heritage, Hanan's equation with each of her family members felt personal and relatable, and most importantly, her faith and beliefs, the strength, peace and clarity Hanan gets from reciting prayers. I laud Ayaan Mohamud's efforts for writing this narrative, a story which needed to be told. This is representation in its purest form. I wanted to give it 4.5 stars because the ending felt rushed but on reflection, I am glad the way it concluded and I understand why Hanan's future was left to the reader's imagination. A brilliant debut and I look forward to more!
Thank you Netgalley and Usborneya for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many aspects that I enjoyed - reading about Somalian culture and heritage, Hanan's equation with each of her family members felt personal and relatable, and most importantly, her faith and beliefs, the strength, peace and clarity Hanan gets from reciting prayers. I laud Ayaan Mohamud's efforts for writing this narrative, a story which needed to be told. This is representation in its purest form. I wanted to give it 4.5 stars because the ending felt rushed but on reflection, I am glad the way it concluded and I understand why Hanan's future was left to the reader's imagination. A brilliant debut and I look forward to more!
Thank you Netgalley and Usborneya for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Murder, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Hate crime
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