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Summary
Summary
With a welcome mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, Sabina Khan provides a timely and honest portrait of what it's like to grow up feeling unwelcome in your own culture.
Fight for love. Fight for family . Fight for yourself.
Seventeen-year-old Rukhsana Ali has always been fascinated by the universe around her and the laws of physics that keep everything in order. But her life at home isn't so absolute.
Unable to come out to her conservative Muslim parents, she keeps that part of her identity hidden. And that means keeping her girlfriend, Ariana, a secret from them too. Luckily, only a few more months stand between her carefully monitored life at home and a fresh start at Caltech in the fall. But when Rukhsana's mom catches her and Ariana together, her future begins to collapse around her.
Devastated and confused, Rukhsana's parents whisk her off to stay with their extended family in Bangladesh where, along with the loving arms of her grandmother and cousins, she is met with a world of arranged marriages, religious tradition, and intolerance. Fortunately, Rukhsana finds allies along the way and, through reading her grandmother's old diary, finds the courage to take control of her future and fight for her love.
A gritty novel that doesn't shy away from the darkest corners of ourselves, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali provides a timely and achingly honest portrait of what it's like to grow up feeling unwelcome in your own culture and proves that love, above all else, has the power to change the world.
Featured on: Bustle, Seventeen.com, Hypable, Oprah Magazine, NBC News, the BBC, Parade, BookRiot, and Paste Magazine
"An intersectional, diverse coming of age story that will break your heart in the best way." -- Bustle.com
"A much-needed addition to any YA shelf." -- Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi
"Heart-wrenching yet hopeful." -- Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of L ove, Hate and Other Filters
"A story that will stay with you for years to come." -- Sara Farizan, Lambda Award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine
Author Notes
Sabina Khan writes about Muslim teens who straddle cultures. She was born in Germany, spent her teens in Bangladesh, and lived in Macao, Illinois, and Texas before settling down in British Columbia with her husband, two daughters, and the best puppy in the world. Visit her online at sabina-khan.com.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Like many American teenagers straddling two cultures-that of their foreign-born parents and that outside their home-Seattle high school senior Rukhsana has hopes that diverge from her family's. Though her conservative Bengali-Muslim parents expect her to attend the nearby University of Washington and to marry a young man, she has secretly applied to Caltech in Pasadena, Calif., and is a closeted-to-them lesbian. Her parents eventually give in on Caltech, but when they discover her kissing her girlfriend, Ariana, they furiously spirit Rukhsana away to Bangladesh under false pretenses. Khan skillfully depicts Rukhsana's mix of emotions toward her family-frustration and anger, love and loyalty-as well as resentment at the differing expectations her parents hold for her and for her carefree younger brother, Aamir. Relationships ring true, including the siblings' teasingly affectionate relationship and Rukhsana and Ariana's struggles navigating their romance under difficult circumstances. The complicated plot and the large cast of characters, both in Seattle and in Bangladesh, occasionally overwhelm, but Rukhsana's voice offers a steady blend of compassion and humor as she schemes-with several likable allies-to follow her dreams, perhaps at the cost of losing her family. Ages 14-up. Agent: Hillary Jacobson, ICM Partners. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Rukhsana Ali chafes against her conservative Muslim parents and their hopes for her future. The 17-year-old has her own plans, like going to Caltech for engineering and openly being with her girlfriend, Ariana. But when her parents ultimately find out about Ariana, they're quick to send Rukhsana to Bangladesh to be married. Can she balance fighting for the life she wants for herself without devastating her family? Khan's moving novel brings humanity and nuance to the topics of arranged marriage and familial obligations, and her characters are beautifully fleshed out. Rukhsana's genuine love and respect for her family and culture amplify the stakes of her choice to determine her own path, and Khan's account of Bangladeshi traditions, food, and various aunties to dodge rings true. While some characters might initially seem very black-and-white, as Khan gradually peels away the layers of their backstories, they become more fully formed. This moving novel offers readers a deep look into Bengali traditions and dreams for a more inclusive future, with a resilient girl at the heart of it all.--Qurratulayn Muhammad Copyright 2018 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-Rukhsana Ali lives her life on the border of two worlds: one as the daughter of conservative Muslim parents, the other as a 17-year-old teen just trying to make it through the end of her senior year and get into California Tech. Everything seems to be going according to plan until her mother catches her kissing her girlfriend Ariana. Incapable of understanding, her parents whisk her away to Bangladesh where she is caught up in a whirlwind of family dynamics, arranged marriages, and traditions. Through the kind words and understanding of her cousin and grandmother, as well as the gift of her grandmother's diary, Rukhsana searches for the courage to fight for her right to love whomever without also losing her family's approval. This coming-of-age novel is filled with memorable characters, heartfelt moments, and a realistic portrayal of the difficulty of living in two worlds. At times, the writing feels a bit stilted, but the heart of this story will resonate strongly with teens. They will cheer, cry, and rage along with Rukhsana as she balances the ignorance of her friends and family on her quest for understanding and acceptance. VERDICT With an up-close depiction of the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ community with Bengali culture, this hard-hitting and hopeful story is a must-purchase for any YA collection.-India Winslow, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Guardian Review
A boy who turns into a pigeon, love in a lighthouse and the pain that inspired Mary Shelley This month ushers in a feast of funny, fearsome, folklore-laced fantasy for readers of eight to 12. The Midnight Hour (Chicken House), from storytelling partners Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder, features bold Emily, who's lost both parents somewhere in the Midnight Hour, a dark Victorian London suspended for ever in time and inhabited by the mysterious Night Folk. As she encounters an embodied Library, a policeman with superpowers and an appalling predator, Emily grapples with what it may cost to find and save her family. Anarchic humour, rich imagination and poetic writing, interspersed with elegant line drawings, add up to pure delight - with a stowaway hedgehog as a bonus. More wildness, witchcraft and forthright, sparky girls appear in Michelle Harrison's A Pinch of Magic (Simon & Schuster). The Widdershins sisters, Betty, Fliss and Charlie, long to range further than their rambunctious granny's inn, but they are trapped on the Isle of Crowstone by the dying curse of a woman of power. Can they win their freedom with the help of their birthright gifts - a bag, a mirror and a set of nesting dolls, each with its own pinch of magic? Gutsy and rude, full of warts-and-all family love, Harrison's latest has the wry enchantment of an E Nesbit classic. There's nothing supernatural about Jason Reynolds ' Ghost (Knights Of), first in a four-book series already beloved in the US. Ghost's real name is Castle, but he has changed it, desperate to be unseen and hard to catch. Since the night his father tried to kill him and his mother, Ghost has had "a lot of scream inside", as well as an impressive turn of speed. Will joining an elite track team stop the scream from bursting out? Reynolds' writing is simple, but its impact lasts. For readers of about seven-plus, Sam Copeland's debut Charlie Changes Into a Chicken (Puffin) is a stand-out star, offering belly-busting hilarity and a loving, light touch take on childhood anxiety. Worried about his big brother's hospital stay, Charlie unexpectedly turns into a pigeon - then continues changing into random fauna whenever he's stressed, be it by his nemesis or the imminent school play. A supportive cast of friends (fiendishly clever Flora in particular), subtly planted strategies for coping with worry, and some joyfully silly metanarrative tricks (including a publisher's letter of apology) place Charlie head and shoulders above the competition; Sarah Horne's wild-haired, twitch-eyed illustrations add another layer to the fun. In Alex Milway 's Hotel Flamingo (Piccadilly), meanwhile, little Anna Dupont has inherited the run-down hotel of the title - but it's a far cry from its glory days. With diligence, tact (especially in handling irascible chef Madame la Pig), courage and kindness, Anna soon has the Flamingo shipshape again. But will it satisfy the feline inspector? Crammed full of characterful animal illustrations with accents of zinging pink, this flamboyant early chapter book is a splendid, unpreachy testament to the power of hard work. From Bloomsbury, Fantastically Great Women Who Worked Wonders is the third in Kate Pankhurst 's colourful picture-book celebrations of notable females; with their playful use of speech bubbles and perspective shifts, they remain significantly more engaging and inspiring than the rival Rebel Girls. This collection of pioneering entomologists, aeronauts and surgeons is not just the usual suspects - the lineup includes Sophie Blanchard, Maria Sibylla Merian and Rosa May Billinghurst. Sophie Blackall's Caldecott-winning Hello Lighthouse (Orchard) is sophisticated, joyous and melancholy, and evokes, via its crashing waves and seductive cross-sections, a tremendous sense of place and time. The lighthouse's sporadic flashes of greeting ("Hello! ... Hello! ... Hello!") welcome first the new keeper and then his wife, who love their tall home in all weathers, especially when their baby is born there. But once the light is automated, the family must leave. A secret fold-out at the end makes for a breathtaking conclusion to this beautiful picture book, rich in saturated ink and pellucid watercolour. A little boy and his lovably naughty pet dragon Zibbo enjoy roaring, adventurous fun in Steve "Mr Panda" Antony 's new book, Amazing (Hodder). The hero uses a wheelchair, the supporting cast is quietly and intriguingly diverse, but this is a story about the shared joys of imagination rather than one focused on disability as something "special" to be set apart and examined. It's a blast - especially when Zibbo gets excited about blowing out candles. More exuberant cheerfulness blazes from The Truth About Old People by Elina Ellis (Two Hoots). "They" may say old people are slow, not bendy and not much fun - but Ellis's noisy, bright, dynamic pages, filled with grandparents riding rollercoasters, smooching, dancing and flipping whole stackfuls of pancakes, assert that the elderly, too, can be anarchically amazing. In YA, Fierce Fragile Hearts (Macmillan), Sara Barnard's magnificent sequel lives up to her bestselling debut, Beautiful Broken Things. Close friends Caddy, Rosie and Suzanne are parting ways; while the former are off to university, Suzanne is living independently, alone for the first time. Navigating the legacy of her abusive childhood, including PTSD, is hard - but although there may be no quick fix, Suzanne's strength, hard-won self-knowledge and her friends' love will help her forge a future. Likely to induce at least one crying fit, and also dryly funny. Told in the third-person present, Sharon Dogar's Monsters (Andersen), an account of Mary Shelley's revolutionary life and artistic development, is poignant, lush and satisfying - a thought-provoking book. Immersing the reader by turns in the perspectives of Mary, her step-sister Claire, and husband Percy Shelley, it demonstrates how the pain of grief, abandonment and public censure might prepare the ground for the creation of monsters. The loss of Mary's first child is especially vivid. The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali (Scholastic) by Sabina Khan features another strong-willed, rule-breaking girl suffering for the freedom to love. Rukhsana's conservative parents don't permit crop tops, parties or alcohol - and when they discover Rukhsana has a girlfriend, she is promptly sent to Bangladesh to be married off. But she finds an unlikely ally in her grandmother ... Though nuance is occasionally lacking, the book's focused anger and defiance, and the detail of lives blighted by rigid notions of "honour", give it considerable power.
Kirkus Review
Bangladeshi-American Rukhsana Ali must choose between her family's wishes and following her heart.Although her Muslim immigrant parents approve of her professional dreams of becoming a physicist at NASA, Rukhsana is sure that they won't be as enthusiastic about her personal dream of spending her life with her secret girlfriend, Ariana, who is white. After winning a prestigious scholarship to Caltech, her professional ambitions seem within reachuntil her mother catches her kissing Ariana and she is whisked away to Bangladesh with plans to arrange her marriage. As she battles her parents' homophobia, Rukhsana simultaneously struggles to help Ariana and her friends back home in Seattle understand the weight of the cultural and social stigmas that she has to fight. Along the way, Rukhsana finds unexpected allies, including her grandmother, who encourages her to fight for what she wants. This witty coming-out story is populated by colorful, nuanced personalities who never lapse into stereotypes. Unfortunately, the fast pace leaves readers little time to digest the most intense moments, including some physical and sexual violence. Likewise, the sheer amount of action leaves certain characters, like Rukhsana's spoiled but loving brother, insufficient time to fully develop. However, the story is told tenderly and unflinchingly, balancing the horrors of homophobia against the South Asian men and women who risk their lives to fight it each and every day.A coming-out story featuring diverse characters and a richly rendered international setting. (Fiction. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Excerpts
Excerpts
No parties, no shorts, no boys. These were my parents' three cardinal rules. But what they didn't know couldn't hurt them, right? I quickly changed out of my NASA pajamas and into my favorite black crop top and dark-blue vintage jeans, liking the way they accentuated my curves. According to Mom no one needed to know that I had boobs, much less a belly button, except for me, Allah, and my future husband. Of course, the whole "no boys" rule was a moot point in my case, but fortunately my parents didn't know about Ariana. "Rukhsana, Mom's never going to let you out of the house wearing that." Startled, I spun around to see my brother, Aamir, leaning lazily against my door frame. "Knock much?" I said, quickly pausing the music playing on my phone. "I did. It's not my fault you couldn't hear me over that screeching you call music." Aamir smiled as he sauntered into the room and plopped down on my bed. Of course, my brother was right. I would never be allowed to go out wearing this. Which was why I was planning to throw on my oversized school hoodie to once again become the shapeless blob my parents preferred to think of me as. "Aamir, you know this isn't my first rodeo." I ruffled his hair affectionately. "Plus, you always have my back, right?" "Yeah, yeah, don't worry, I'll cover for you," Aamir said, pushing away my hand. He was very particular about his hair. "But it's going to cost you," he added with a grin. "What do you want this time?" I pulled the bulky hoodie over my head. "Something good. I haven't thought about it yet." He surveyed my outfit. "Ariana's going to run away when she sees you, but at least Mom will be happy." I punched him playfully in the arm before going downstairs. The smell of chai led me into the kitchen, where I found the pot bubbling on the stovetop. I inhaled its spicy aroma deeply, allowing the cinnamon and cardamom to soothe my nerves. It was almost five o'clock, time to head over to Jen's house to finish getting ready for the party. But first I had to convince Mom to let me go. Excerpted from The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.