Scan barcode
A review by genuine_sarcasm
Much Ado about Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin
funny
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was complicated.
3 stars for the actual character and character development.
5 stars for the lovely look into the Muslim culture.
Nada is a jerk; immature. I disliked her so much I did not want to finish the book.
I didn't mind the book hopped back and forth between past and present. What I did not like, and thought was rushed, is the development of the relationship between the two main characters.
It never explained how one could forgive / overlook severe bullying to fall in love. There was no development of it - especially considering the lack of interaction over the course of years. I just didn’t see growth from Nada or the development of a relationship. Hence the 3 for the story.
The 5 goes for the writing about the Muslim culture. As an Asian myself, it was interesting to see the parallels between cultures. I enjoyed learning about how naturally Islam is folded into everyday life without the over explanation books seem to go into. “It just is” - and this is important because representation matters.
Also - much ado about nothing is Shakespeare and I kept looking for parallels. I just saw the description said it was based off of persuasion (haven’t read). So that bit was confusing.
3 stars for the actual character and character development.
5 stars for the lovely look into the Muslim culture.
Nada is a jerk; immature. I disliked her so much I did not want to finish the book.
I didn't mind the book hopped back and forth between past and present. What I did not like, and thought was rushed, is the development of the relationship between the two main characters.
It never explained how one could forgive / overlook severe bullying to fall in love. There was no development of it - especially considering the lack of interaction over the course of years. I just didn’t see growth from Nada or the development of a relationship. Hence the 3 for the story.
The 5 goes for the writing about the Muslim culture. As an Asian myself, it was interesting to see the parallels between cultures. I enjoyed learning about how naturally Islam is folded into everyday life without the over explanation books seem to go into. “It just is” - and this is important because representation matters.
Also - much ado about nothing is Shakespeare and I kept looking for parallels. I just saw the description said it was based off of persuasion (haven’t read). So that bit was confusing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying