An Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2017 Saints and Misfits is an unforgettable debut novel that feels like a modern day My So-Called Life…starring a Muslim teen. There are three kinds of people in my world: 1. Saints, those special people moving the world forward. Sometimes you glaze over them. Or, at least, I do. They’re in your face so much, you can’t see them, like how you can’t see … so much, you can’t see them, like how you can’t see your nose.
2. Misfits, people who don’t belong. Like me–the way I don’t fit into Dad’s brand-new family or in the leftover one composed of Mom and my older brother, Mama’s-Boy-Muhammad.
Also, there’s Jeremy and me. Misfits. Because although, alliteratively speaking, Janna and Jeremy sound good together, we don’t go together. Same planet, different worlds.
But sometimes worlds collide and beautiful things happen, right?
3. Monsters. Well, monsters wearing saint masks, like in Flannery O’Connor’s stories.
Like the monster at my mosque.
People think he’s holy, untouchable, but nobody has seen under the mask.
Except me.more
Both fans and critics of Saints and Misfits alike continue to call it “important”, and I couldn’t agree more. What makes it so, is the cohesive voice of our protagonist, her raw emoting, the delicate yet realistic approach to dealing with sexual assault in a religious community, and the brilliant light shed on what it means to have an ancient spirituality in a modern world– for Janna, not fitting completely in with the saints, and not fitting completely in with the misfits, either. I couldn’t put it down. Janna’s monologues pull you in and never let you go, even beyond the last page.
Every young girl, Muslim and non-Muslim, will laugh and cry with this brave tale of friendship, family, politics, and pubertal boy crushes. Saints and Misfits is important because it tells the story of millions of girls all over the globe, unheard, ashamed, lost, unsure of who to trust, and angry at the systems they’ve trusted to protect them. This book also manages to juggle women’s stories, too, how those young girls mature in their naivety, their fate falling into the hands of men. This story is easily feministic without tainting the minds of impressionable young ladies, without making them angry. Saints and Misfits makes you reflect.
Now to the pros and cons!
Cons:
– Janna exposes her uncovered beauty to a boy she really likes. I’m not Muslim per say, but in my religion we do cover our heads in a similar way (I myself choosing to don the facial veil Niqab), and just like in Islam, what she did was taboo and unnacceptable
– a moderate amount of cursing (which one could expect from modern teens) so this is definitely PG13 and NOT middle grade (but i think the author did a good job of representing the folly and harshness teens can have in this regard)
– this may be a syntax thing for me, but the author utilizes breakers and separators where I personally feel there should be none. Separators are used within a chapter to signify change of scene and time; sometimes the author uses them when there is neither, and only a change of pace or dialogue. It was annoying sometimes, but if you’re into fast-paced, staggered and punctual narration then this may not be a drawback for you. It was great in some areas, but mostly annoying when I was expecting more.
– At times the characters don’t actually seem American???? The diction and voice almost sounds like they’re in the UK??? It’s like the author doesn’t actually know how “hip American teens” actually talk, so for me this kind of makes it a little less realistic
Pros:
– realistic depiction of Niqabis. I am a Niqabi, and the niqabi character, Sausun, wasn’t too unlike most niqabis I know! She was powerful, she knew she was powerful, and she wasn’t letting anyone take it from her. For women like myself who choose to veil in such manner, this is typically how we are. I love the way Janna sees her, as being gracefully aloof and voluntarily shielded from the world, yet when interacting more intimately, it is this very veiled girl who shows her how to reclaim the power she lost the night of the attack. Most people see us veiled women as pushovers, men’s rags, and oppressed, helpless blobs floating around in search of freedom. But this book is excellent in that it paints an authentic picture: NIQABIS ARE NORMAL PEOPLE. Imperfect, afraid, humorous, and mortal.
– great representation of Muslims. Fezzes, kufis, thobes, abayas. Salaat, hajj, imams, and hafiz. Holier-than-thou-ism. Self-martyrdom on behalf of the ladies. Devotion, and masks. And the “halal” tension between the sex-segregated teens who aren’t allowed to touch or be alone together is innocent and intriguing. Islam is intricately woven into the fabric of this novel instead of being generously lathered on top.
– culture. Janna is both Egyptian and Indian. We see her Indian father’s worldly and sensual drive, and her Egyptian mothers traditional and practical reserve. The food, the attire, the language– everything is culturally sound, accurate, and engulfing.
– diversity. and I don’t just mean this among the Muslim characters. But the way Janna’s white crush is represented. Many a Muslim novels have this undercurrent of “Islam good, white man bad” kind of thing. But we see something deeper, which I appreciate even though I’m not white. It was a refreshing take. Monsters do come in all races. Same with her non-Muslim gal pal, Tatyana, who isn’t completely the haram influence many Muslim parents think of when they see their child’s non-Muslim friends. She is nuanced and pure in her own way.
I recommend this book to readers of all sexes, ages, religions and ethnicities, because it’s well-written, well fleshed out, and so relevant. This story, the one that’s hidden beyond the main characters, the one about silent women, will always be relevant as we move into a post-modern world where male and female begin to enhance instead of destroy one another.
All in all SK Ali is a GREAT authoress and I will likely read another one of her works
Teenager situations are rampant in this one. Having to keep her faith in mind while going through the same issues as her peers, Jenna is faced with one trial after another but is always guided to do what is right by her Islamic beliefs. Although there were a few disturbing situations, I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I’ll definitely recommend.
Trigger Warning: Sexual Assult
I don’t feel as if I am able to review this book properly, because I think I wasn’t ready for this book. I’m trying anyway, but keep in mind this isn’t the best review of this book.
The Story
A hafiz (someone who memorized the Quran, usually very holy) attempted to rape Janna. And she hasn’t told anyone. After all, it’s her word against his. To make matters worse, Janna has fallen for a boy. And he’s a nonmuslim.
The Good
The novel was very well written! I loved the writing style and storytelling. There were times I loved the characters, and times I absolutely hated them. Nuah and Muhammad were my favorites. For a book that deals with serious topics, it was actually pretty funny. That being said, I loved Janna’s character development.
The Bad
Janna wasn’t always very likable. This was fixed with her character development, but I thought it deserved some acknowledgment. The plot was a bit scattered. It seemed like it was about how Janna was dealing with the trauma, but a significant amount seemed to focus on Janna’s crush on Jeremy.
Okay, firstly I want to say that it warms my heart that Muslim fiction is coming to a rise. Diversity is very important y’all!!!! So the reason I wanted to read this book is what I’ve mentioned previously in addition to:
1)I ADORE the cover!!!!!
2)The plot sounds intense so don’t let the cover fool you that it is a happy book. It’s dark!!!!!
I knew I was gonna enjoy it and and it gets a 4.25 stars from me. My only complaint being the pacing of the story. There was nothing wrong with it but it just wasn’t for me.
Trigger warning: assault
Now onto my review!!!!!
This book discusses two relevant topics in a specific perspective and it was interesting to see that from the eyes of Janna, our main character. I don’t want to give a lot of spoilers but it of course discusses assault in a type of character which was kind of a shock to me and I was curious how it will all play out.
The other topic is having a crush with a non-Muslim character. America is a diverse country so of course different people with different backgrounds tend to fall in love with each other, and in this case, Janna, a Muslim teen, has a crush on Jeremy, a Christian boy.
I loved our main character Janna and my heart feels the stress and agony that she is going through after Farooq (the monster) tried to assault her. My heart was just screaming for her to SPEAK and RAISE HER VOICE and not let shame control her because the one who is supposed to be ashamed is the monster himself.
Muhammad (Janna’s brother) and Sarah (Janna’s sister-in-law) are just cute together and I hope we get to see their wedding in the sequel.
I really love Nuah, another character in the book and I SHIP HIM AND JANNA SO MUCH!!!!!!! They’re dynamic is very hilarious and the best and I hope they get together in the next book!!!!! Nuah is the comic relief with all the dark stuff happening in here.
I also love Tats, Janna’s best friend. She is the most loyal human being (unlike another character ) that I’ve ever read for a best friend and I hope she and Matt get together!!!!!
And let’s not forget about Sausen!!!!! She is such a kick ass character that deserves the best. I don’t want to reveal too much about her, because it’s better if you read the book and discover it yourself.
The ending was just the best and it opens up to what will happen next and I have the feeling it is going to be big!!!! And I am here for it!!!!! I really hope Janna gets her “true” justice once and for all!!!!! While I did love how the book dealt with it, I just need that one more push for her to get her justice!!!!!
All in all, I highly recommend checking this book out and I will definitely be waiting for the sequel!!!!!!
Best Young Adult novel I’ve read in a long time (possibly ever). I’m devouring this one. Can’t put it down!