Book Review: “Behind Picket Fences” by Hend Hegazi

Hot off the press, this is up and coming author Hend Hegazi's second novel, following the publication of Normal Calm last year. Hegazi is an American author currently based in Egypt.

The night before I started reading this book, my husband and I had a fairly heated discussion about what causes seemingly healthy couples to cheat on one another. No, in case you were wondering this had nothing to do with our own (happy) marriage- the very concept of cheating was bit of an enigma to both of us but we had heard of a few stories in our own social circles of marital breakdowns caused as a result of infidelity under circumstances that perplexed us as outsiders. I went to bed that night pondering how fragile marriages can potentially be and what could possibly trigger a complete erosion of a relationship between couples who appear to have it all. The next day, I started reading Behind Picket Fences, which I received for review purposes, not realising that to a large extent, it delves into this very issue. 

The story revolves around four seemingly different couples residing in the same neighbourhood, all of whom seem to have it together on the surface but in fact experience complex challenges in their marital and personal lives behind closed doors. 

Farris has tried everything under the sun to try to put the spark back in his marriage with Sidra. Yet all things point to the fact that she may be cheating. Is all as it seems? Is the person who seems like the 'bad guy' where marital problems are concerned always the bad guy? Mariam and Morgan appear to be happily married until financial problems place a strain on their marriage and Mariam finds herself leaving her young family to return to the workplace. Summer appears to be a typical spoiled housewife with every material pleasure at her disposal but why is she so unhappy? May and Hassan face the ultimate test when chronic illness comes knocking at their door.

I must confess that the book started out feeling a little bit like a stereotypical Bollywood script. However, it definitely does improve as it progresses and it carries some deeply profound messages about life, love, marriage and faith. The book explores the complex issues faced from both a female and a male perspective in a sympathetic and insightful way.

The book has not officially been released as yet but look out for it on Amazon in the near future. 

Recently Read...

December and early January meant a bit of a break from routine, which meant that I had a chance to read a few books. Here is what I have been reading, minus one or two titles that I gave up on by chapter two or three as they were beyond redemption.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

This Afghan-American author is best known for 'The Kite Runner' and this particular title shares some similar themes- it is also set in  Afghanistan (or at least that is where the story begins) and spanning the entire lifetime of its various interlinked characters (in fact in this one, the stories of the various characters are carried downwards to their descendants). 

What I like about Hosseini's books is that they show a different part of Afghan life other than the stories of war and travesty shown on the news. Touching stories of ordinary human life, love, family life, the relationship between siblings, sickness and ordinary human emotion are shown in the most poignant way. The story, told from multiple narratives, eloquently demostrates the extent to which seemingly minor decisions can affect the course of ones life and that of generations to come. The stories are raw and you can almost feel the pain of the characters.

I must admit that while this was a brilliant book, I did not experience the same magic as 'The Kite Runner' but in fairness think it would be difficult for any author to meet those standards after setting the bar so high. While the first part of the story was compelling, it felt like the plot was coming loose somewhere in the middle (though the last third of the book managed to redeem itself). I felt that there were, perhaps a few too many characters for the author to resolve all of their stories effectively, yet for the main characters, the story does have a satisfying ending. Despite this, I would strongly recommend this book if you are looking for something meaningful and compelling to read.

Handle With Care by Jodi Picault

While this is a slightly older title, I had not previously read the book (or watched the movie). Like most of her books, this one was a tear jerker, perhaps more so for me as the mother of a five-year-old girl who, other than being perfectly healthy, reminds me a lot of the main character of this story. Willow (five), was born with a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta, a debilitating disease which leads to her suffering hundreds of bone breaks over the course of her lifetime. Her mother makes the decision to pursue litigation for wrongful birth, a decision which would adversely affect all aspects of her life. 

I felt like Jodi Picault had done this one before- it bore a few too many similarities to 'My Sister's Keeper'- again exploring the dynamics of a family with one sick and one healthy child.  I would still say it is a book worth reading, despite some minor flaws. Jodi Picault has a way of evoking a deeply emotional response from readers and of leaving lasting impressions. While this made for an entertaining (if rather emotional) read, at some points, it seemed rather unrealistic and the characters felt like slightly extreme caricatures. However, for me it wss a book that made me think deeply about my own potential responses to similar circumstances and to appreciate my own lot in life.

The Body Book by Cameron Diaz

Yes, you read right, Cameron Diaz, of Charlies Angel fame, is not just literate but actually wrote a book. I am not sure when exactly I picked up this book- I think my sister might have stuck it on my Kindle at some point- but I was searching for something lighthearted to read over December (you can see from the above that the other books I have been reading were a bit heavy) and stumbled upon this one. Essentially, this is a guide to healthy eating, exercise and spiritual wellness. 

While very motivational and filled with surprisingly sensible advise (no ridiculous fad diets, just good diet and exercise), it is nothing groundbreaking and at times it felt like I was reading a high school biology textbook. However, it is a short and easy read, which is what I was looking for at the time and  it was perhaps exactly what I needed to kick start some healthy changes into the new year. 

Have you read any of these? Please share your thoughts. Or just tell me what you have been reading lately.

Sandcastles And Snowmen- A Personal Search for Spirituality

I have received a few books from FB Publishers for review and I am so excited each time I do since their books are so different from the norm and always so enlightening. Sandcastles And Snowmen- A Personal Search for Spirituality by Egyptian author and international public speaker Sahar El-Nadi did not disappoint.

I had eagerly been planning to read this book for a month but had to put it on hold due to urgent work commitments that were taking up most of my time. However, I think when I did actually read the book, it was at a time when it was most beneficial to me.

You see, being a Muslim in this day and age often means a bit of an identity crisis. There is  a dichotomy between what I know and believe to be a religion of peace, love and tolerance and all the negativity portrayed in the media about Muslims, made worse by a minority of so-called Muslims who perpetrate horrendous acts of hatred and violence. My heart (and those of billions of peace loving Muslims globally) sinks every time I hear of acts of terror in the name of Islam and we weep with the rest of the world when there is a loss of lives. This week's attacks on Paris and various other places was no different. Of course, when these things happen, supposedly in the name of your religion, it forces some introspection into what it really means to be a Muslim and whether the cowardly acts of a few can in any way be reconciled with this (the answer of course being no). By now you are probably wondering what all this rambling has to do with the book I read?

 

Sahar tells the story of her journey towards spirituality. She was born in Egypt, where, despite being a predominantly Muslim country, the practice of Islam was frowned upon (something which I was certainly unaware of). Although born Muslim, Sahar went to a Catholic school and led a glitzy jet-setting life in fashion and media. She only truly discovered religion and spirituality in the form of Islam in her thirties. She writes about about this journey in a profoundly beautiful manner and in the process shares both her scientific research and emotional findings of what Islam is really all about. 

Sahar explains in detailed but simple terms what Islam really is, where it comes from and how Muslims are in fact expected to conduct themselves (as opposed to how many Muslims in fact do behave). She answers in elquent terms two of the existential questions that my four year old has been asking me recently, namely why were we created or why a God that is loving would allow pain and suffering in the world. 

She debunks various myths relating to Islam and issues like women's rights, animal rights, politics and what is allowed in war. For example, she shares stories of the prophet Mohamed's friendship with people of all religions and how in times of war (which were carried out through necessity and not hate), it was forbidden to hurt women, children or the elderly or to destroy property or nature. In times of war, it was even ordered that any captives were to be fed the best of food, even if it meant that the prophet's own people went without and that they were entitled to the best medical care. This of course is a total contrast to some of the events we see in this day and age. 

She shares ideas for how inter-cultural barriers can be broken and how to encourage communication and understanding across different religious and social backgrounds in a peaceful and productive manner.

Why the title? Sandcastles and snowmen, although from completely different climates, are both a child's innocent attempt at turning something abstract into a tangible reality, just as adults do when trying to build a life. 

However, as with life, neither sandcastles nor snowmen are permanent and both will return to where they came from. Put simply, this book is all about finding the meaning of life before it comes to an end. 

I would recommend this book to any Muslim person who seeks some spiritual enrichment or wants a refresher on what it really means to be Muslim and I would recommend it even more so to non-Muslims who wish to find out what the religion is really about as opposed to what the media portrays it to be.

If you are keen to read the book, it can be purchased on Amazon. Alternatively (for my South African readers) I have spotted it at the local CII store. 

Giveaway- Win a Kids Book Club Subscription!

It is no secret that I am a complete bookworm and that my kids are avid readers too. While Squish still enjoys the pictures more than the contents, Noodle loves listening to stories (and is starting to identify a few words in the books as well).

Every week, Noodle has 'book day' at school, when she needs to take a book to be read and shared with her friends and I often feel like I have been sending the same books over and over a few too many times. 

Given the above, I was very excited when I heard about what Kids Book Club has to offer. As a Kids Book Club subscriber, you get a special delivery directly to your door each month containing:

• two age appropriate books;
• magazines for mom and dad;
• downloadable colouring sheets (available from their website);
• a themed carry bag for your books.

Part of your subscription will go towards donation to the Bokamoso Educational Trust. Find out more at www.kidsbookclub.co.za

We just received our first delivery. I opted for a subscription for Noodle only as we are still building up our book collection for older kids but already have plenty of toddler books for Squish (but if you do take out subscriptions for more than one child this is discounted). I also know that he will be listening in when we read the books at bedtime, so they will both benefit from it.

This month's carrier bag has a 'spring' theme- perfect for this springy month! Obviously, what is in the bag is age dependent. The Waybaloo book is definitely up Noodle's alley as she is a fan of the television version. I think she said thank you about twenty times!!! This month, there is also a sticker activity book and a smaller story book, "Night Train Adventure" (a humorous tale about a family of cats and a clumsy hippo who go take an overnight train to their holiday destination) which we read last night and which both little ones enjoyed.

So I am sure you would love to get hold of some awesome Kids Book Club books for your kids, right? Well, you're in luck as we are giving away a one month subscription to Kids Book Club.  

All you have to do to enter is to comment below with the age of your child and what your favourite children's book of all time is. (We would love it if you would share this competition with your friends via Facebook and Twitter too, this is entirely optional though).

Please note that this competition is only open to individuals who reside within South Africa. The prize is sponsored by Kids Book Club, who will be solely responsible for delivery of the prize to the winner. The winner will be selected randomly using online digital software. The winner will be announced on 7 October 2015.

Good luck to all who enter!!!

Book Review- Without Shame by Katherine Russell

I have become intrigued with South West Asian and Middle Eastern literature of late and when "Without Shame" landed on my desk, I knew it was exactly the type of book that I would love to devour while snuggled up on the couch with a steaming cup of coffee. 

While this book is set in the 1960's in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), many of the political, religious and cultural themes that run through this book are still pertinent today.

I found the following quote online by the American author, Katherine Russell:

"Many people ask why I chose to write a novel about 1960's East Pakistan. After all, I couldn't have been there. My answer is this: I didn't set out to write a novel; I set out to make better sense of our world through writing. I wanted to learn about Islam in a more positive context than our current media is giving. I wanted to walk in another woman's shoes in a culture with different - yet ofttimes very similar - values and truths from my own. And I wanted to understand what it is to be an imperialized culture in a neocolonial world, where my own country is ever the imperialist."

In an impoverished Muslim society riddled with cultural superstition,  bold and intelligent Sariya was always different to the other girls in her village and was at an early age labelled as being a woman with no shame. "Shame was a virtue, a mark of high character and restraint that every woman should possess, but Sariyah always staggered over it." This deviation from expected norms was further exacerbated by a childhood event which left her with a minor physical disability.

While she was covertly educated by her uncle (bearing in mind that an education being seen as an undesirable trait for anyone, especially females on this society) and deeply inspired by the words of philosopher Tagore, the expectation was for the young protaginist to enter into an arranged marriage with a fifty year old with whom she shared no commonality. However, all this occurs in the midst of a Bengali revolution against colonialism, by which she is intrigued. In addition, she finds herself crossing paths with an American teacher doing relief work in her village, leading to a cross-pollination of ideas and perhaps a little more. How will Sariyah decide between living up to the expectations of her family and fulfilling her own goals?

This book feels like it is set out for greatness. The book is written in a beautiful, almost poetic style, with a complexity of themes that I can imagine perfectly fitting in to a heated literary discussion as a high school or even a university setwork. 

My sole critique is that towards the end of the book, it did feel like there was a chunk of the story that was omitted. I do hope that there will be a sequel to fill the gaps. 

I am sure you cannot wait to get hold of a copy of this gem, but you will have to be patient as it will only be officially released in October. Look out for the publication on Amazon or via FB Publishers.

*Disclosure: this was not a paid review but I was provided with a copy of the book for review purposes.