American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar
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For Book Beginnings:
I remember it all with a vividness that marks the moment as the watershed it would be:
The court was glowing, its wooden surface honey-brown beneath the overhead lights.
- p. 3
For Friday 56:
I had a soft feeling about the word, something kind, something released or releasing. But I didn't know how to explain it.
- p. 56
Synopsis: Hayat Shah is a young American in love for the first time. His normal life of school, baseball, and video games had previously been distinguished only by his Pakistani heritage and by the frequent chill between his parents, who fight over things he is too young to understand. Then Mina arrives, and everything changes. Mina is Hayat's mother's oldest friend from Pakistan. She is independent, beautiful and intelligent, and arrives on the Shah's doorstep when her disastrous marriage in Pakistan disintegrates. Even Hayat's skeptical father can't deny the liveliness and happiness that accompanies Mina into their home. Her deep spirituality brings the family's Muslim faith to life in a way that resonates with Hayat as nothing has before. Studying the Quran by Mina's side and basking in the glow of her attention, he feels an entirely new purpose mingled with a growing infatuation for his teacher. When Mina meets and begins dating a man, Hayat is confused by his feelings of betrayal. His growing passions, both spiritual and romantic, force him to question all that he has come to believe is true. Just as Mina finds happiness, Hayat is compelled to act -- with devastating consequences for all those he loves most.
I don't know what it is about this book, but when I first saw it and read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read it! Do you ever get that type of book "hunch"? And now I finally have a copy on hand.
The beginning sounds auspicious. But the page 56 snippet makes me all mooshy inside ... like the character, I don't know how to describe it.
Happy Friday everyone!
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American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar
I wish I had signed up to review this one... it looks so good!
ReplyDeletei think i joined 3 or 4 giveaways for this :) if i hadnt won it, off to the library i go :) i'll let you know when the review's up!
DeleteI absolutely love the Friday 56, it's beautiful! I'm definitely coming back for the review!! Hop on over if you have the time:
ReplyDeleteMy Friday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
my thoughts exactly, juli. the beginning got me too! love having you over, as always!
DeleteThis does pique my interest! And yes, the passages evoke something unexplainable in me, too.
ReplyDeleteHere's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
it's the language i guess. am i reading too much into them -- they bring about feelings, not just something visual!
DeleteI just finished this one. Wonderful, I thought. All the characters are fascinating. If anyone would like my copy....
ReplyDeletethanks for confirming my book hunch :) do you have a review up already, tea? i'd love to go check it out!
Deleteguys -- she 's offering up her copy! :P
I like the opener, even if I'm not precisely sure what's being described...a basketball court?
ReplyDeletei didn't want to give it away. but it seems like more than "just" a basketball court somehow!
DeleteThis one is getting some good reviews. Not sure if it's for me or not, but I'll need to check it out. Thanks for visiting my Friday post. Happy reading!
ReplyDeletei haven't read any reviews yet. i guess i'll find out for myself. cheers, william!
DeleteI have had this book in my radar and hope to be able to read it. Particularly for the characters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the the visit, Harvee. I'm actually a little late with this! I'll look forward to your thoughts on it!
Deletewow, this sounds really interesting! love the title too
ReplyDeletestrange combo for sure :) thanks for visiting, jen!
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