A review by kert_tandog
I Can't Think Straight by Shamim Sarif

3.0

I did find this book enjoyable. There's too much tragedy in film and literature about lesbian romance that I rejoice positive narratives such as this. HOWEVER, I also find the writing sappy and corny. Reading Sarah Waters now, Sarif's lackluster style of writing becomes stark. I also wonder about Sarif's political views with regards to Arab politics. I am, by no means, an expert in the area, but I've read a few about the subject - and Sarif's views seem to be misguided given the stuff I've read. Tala's and Hani's views, for example, are portrayed as progressive, when in fact they misrepresent the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Tala seems to have missed reading Talal Asad's On Suicide, which shows when she remarks that suicide bombing is a function of a distorted religious belief, in which people are simply promised paradise in exchange for their lives. She and Hani can also benefit from reading Kundnani's The Muslims Are Coming to understand the politics involving Muslims in Israel, as well as in her own London. I think Kareem makes the most political sense, but he is outright dismissed. Characters in the book reek of privilege they seem to not notice or, otherwise, ignore vehemently. But I have to remind myself that this is not a book about politics. It's a happy chappy romance book with a narrative that satisfied me when I needed something that is exactly what it's about - a romance book.