Home Fire.
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"For girls, becoming women was inevitability; for boys, becoming men was ambition." - Kamila Shamsie.
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This book has been a controversy magnet lately and post reading this book, I can associate with those who didn't quite like this read.
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Home Fire is the story of a Muslim family living in England. The Pasha children are orphaned at a very young age and grow up under the cruel spotlight of having a Jihadi father. Isma, the eldest sister takes on the role of mother and tends to her twin siblings, Aneeka and Parvaiz. This story talks about how Parvaiz decides to leave his family behind in England to join ISIS. In order to save her twin, Aneeka decides to lure in Eamonn who happens to be Isma's accidental friend and also the son of Home secretary.
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The story unwinds gradually and the plot gets intense when the author starts depicting the life of Muslims living in a non-Muslim land. The scrutiny, the questions and glares that they receive in a foreign land are incredulous. There were few instances when I could truly relate why this book created such a whirlwind amongst the Muslim community. However strong the storyline was, the ending was a bit disappointing and left me dejected.
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After seeing many good reviews about this and also witnessing few disapproval from certain community, I do however have to appreciate the writing style. The language was incredible, the characters could have used a bit more support and keeping aside the entire controversy part aside, I do appreciate her effort in bringing forward to light how non-Muslims have to face certain unjust moments when they live away in a foreign land.
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I would love to have a discussion about this book so those who have read it, please do drop in your comments. I would rate this book 3.5/5.