4.5/5 stars
Sabaa Tahir is an exceptional writer. Why hadn't I read any of her books till now? I'd heard about her popularity in book community. I ignored it when my friends kept requesting me to read An Ember in the Ashes.Yes, it's all on me. What can I say? It happens.
Towards the end of last year, I'd noticed this book in want to read update of Victoria Schwab. Not that I'm a huge fan of her, (I haven't yet read any of her books but, I will in future) I immediately added it to my the list. I've heard great things about Sabaa Tahir. Alas, for one reason or the other, I haven't had the fortune of reading any of her books. So, I really wanted to read All My Rage, being a Muslim myself I thought, I would really enjoy reading it. Also, I wanted to be introduced to her writing and her books, and I'm glad I decided to read All My Rage as soon as it got published.
Noor's entire family died in an earthquake in Pakistan. She was saved by her uncle, with whom she lives now in America and work in his liquor shop. She is good in academics, and is working hard to get into a good college, leave Juniper forever, build up a career of her own so that she is no more indebted to her uncle. The sad part of the story being her uncle, who doesn't want her to get into college. He keeps tab on her every move. Hiding from him, Noor applies for colleges, but has to give interview from her bathroom so that her uncle doesn't get to know. Will she able to free herself from this life? We shall see.
Misbah is Noor's aunt. Salahudin is Misbah aunty's son. Sal and Noor have been best friends since childhood. Sal is too dealing with his share of problem as we notice in the story. Misbah was the one I loved the most reading and knowing about. She is that one invisible thread of hope between Noor and Sal that kept them going on with life. I really felt emotional for her. She is my favorite of the three. It was so disheartening to see her go through so many problems in her life with nobody to share her problems. Despite all that, she remain so strong, positive, and confident about her principles of life, and about humanity.
"Great passions grow into monsters in the dark of the mind; but if you share them with loving friends they remain human, they can be endured.
Told from the first person's POV, the story has three POVs. We, as humans, are very vulnerable to situations. All My Rage tells us deep and harsh reality of myths that we are surrounded by. Girls are trained to behave like flowers, their education thrown out to the air, career objectives get shuffled, and priorities are shifted towards the male gender.I knew this because I spent a lot of my childhood among people with this perceptions towards life.Today if I've to ask them ane question I will ask - tell me how any of this is a good thing?
Misbah is not going to let this thing happen. And she is not going to leave her children unattended. Sabaa Tahir has done an exceptional job in bringing to life the words and emotions that one can only feel. All My Rage is the story of life, friendship, love, pain, and suffering. The way emotions were put into words is a commendable effort by Sabaa Tahir.
"In this moment, I wish I were a poet. Not to speak beauty. But to speak pain."
If you are a Muslim, you'll love this. I was able to relate to many of the Muslim experiences dekar with in the story. I was very fascinated about the food habits talked about in the book like potato pakoras, kaddu gosht and more. All the punjabi, and hindi dialogues were so masterfully narrated. If you are in hunt if a good emotional heart binding story, you will love it. But, let me warn you, it is difficult book. It will break you from inside, and you will be left sobbing at the end.
This book was a beautiful roller coaster ride of emotions for me. I went into the book to read a simple contemporary story, ended up coming out heart broken with Sabaa Tahir's beautiful piece of work. I wanted to give it five glowing star. I really wanted to. I was a little bit disappointed at the ending, I wanted to see a better ending for the two of them(Noor and Sal). I so wanted it. Hence, I'm reducing that half a star for one little portion of sadness.
I was of the impression of a Fantasy writer who want to try her hands on a different writing style. However, Sabaa Tahir is here to tell us look what I did to your minds with my contemporary YA writing. I'm not here to limit myself to one genre, I'm going to expand it, and I'm going to excel at all of them. Sabaa Tahir is here to win our souls.
Review Posted: 15 Apr 2022.
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