By: Samira Ahmed
So, here I am with yet another book. I especially like this book and you’ll see why later. I really do hope you read it and let’s get started with the summary (without spoilers of course). (I just have to say that this is going to be a long review, but I promise you. It will worth it.) And if you guys like mystery novels, take a look at my previous review here!
Five Words:
Five Words to describe Khayyam: Enigmatic, Biracial, Interfaith, Passionate, Feminist
Five Words to describe Alexandre: Charming, Determined, Mysterious, Conflicted, Adventurous.
(Ahem, movie trailer voice)
This book features an adventure told through alternative narratives that span across centuries and continents, telling the tale of two young Muslim women who fight to regain control over their own stories.
It’s August in Paris, France and 17-year-old Khayyam Maquet—American, French, Indian, Muslim—has a problem. This holiday with her parents should be a dream trip for the to-be art historian. But her ex-boyfriend is ghosting her, she might have just blown her chance at getting into her dream college.
Two hundred years before Khayyam’s bad summer, Leila is struggling to survive and keep her true love hidden from the Pasha who has “gifted” her with favored status in his harem. In the present day—and with the company of Alex, a teen descendant of Alexandre Dumas—Khayyam searches for a rumored lost painting, uncovering a connection between Leila and Alexandre Dumas, Eugène Delacroix, and Lord Byron that may have been erased from history.
Echoing across centuries, Leila and Khayyam’s lives intertwine, and as one woman’s long-forgotten life is uncovered, another’s is transformed.
(Normal voice)
TO RECAP WHAT I SAID AND WHAT I THOUGHT OF IT:
Khayyam is experiencing a memorable (in a good way or a bad way remains to be seen in the beginning of the book) summer vacation in Paris, despite the initial challenges she faced. After facing ridicule for her art essay for the Young Scholar Prize and an unfortunate encounter with dog poop, she wishes to be back home in Chicago, instead of being in the City of Light. In a turn of events, she crosses paths with a charming French boy who might just hold the key to both her romantic life and her chance to win the Young Scholar Prize.
Why should you care / read / order Mad , Bad & Dangerous to know? Lemme explain.
Characters
Khayyam , named after the famous Persian poet , Omar Khayyam .
She is:
French.
Indian.
Muslim.
American.
Biracial.
Interfaith.
Child of immigrants.
She’s the best Indian American portrayal in a book, I’ve seen so far (granted not many, but still) , and Khayyam is amazingggg! Khayyam is rightfully angry about women’s voices being silenced all the time.
Meet the French très charmant guy, Alexandre Dumas.
Hot
Cute
Tall
French
Descendant of “The Alexandre Dumas”
Alexandre’s complexity surpasses my description. I can assure you, he’s nothing like Étienne St. Clair from “Anna and the French Kiss.” (If you’ve not read that book I’d say it’s an alright book. Maybe I’ll write a review on it. And If you have read it, you know what I’m talking about) He’s not just a typical French guy — there’s so much more to discover about him. But know for when you read the book, don’t judge him too harshly.
The Plot
Khayyam is invested in digging through Paris to find the voice that was lost in too many men’s narratives. (The) Alexander Dumas. Eugène Delacroix. Lord Byron.
Leila is determined to embrace life on her own terms, despite the relentless challenges fate throws her way. She fights to carve out her own path, even as fate seems intent on thwarting her at every turn. Behind her struggles lies a story that the men around her have failed to acknowledge.
Khayyam’s unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth forms the crux of the plot. As Khayyam delves into Leila’s life and connects the dots, she finds herself reflected in Leila’s narrative.
Feminism
Feminism , #TellHerStory is the theme of this book. Women get to tell their stories. They can’t just be muffled around all the time or seen through a male perspective.
This is not the male-hate type that people often associate with feminism. I want to emphasize this point in my review because it’s the powerful message I’ve taken away from Samira.
Writing
Her writing is mesmerising. The switching of POV is so easy to navigate. Not just because of the font difference or the timeline difference.
Khayyam and Leila’s voices are so different but majestic in their own way. I love Samira Ahmed’s writing. Even if this is one of the first book I’ve read that are written by her.
The direction the plot was taking is laid out in the first page. And the journey was so amazing. The pacing was even and .. if you haven’t noticed , I like this book. So. Damn. Much.
I absolutely adore the author’s note at the end! Typically, I’m not a fan of reading author’s notes, but this one really captivated me. In all honesty, it might just be the first author’s note I’ve ever read! I truly love how Samira emphasizes that Khayyam isn’t just fighting for Leila’s story, but she’s also fighting for her own story. Khayyam and Leila are the champions of their own narratives. When people say that history is written by the victors, what they really mean is that it’s written by the patriarchy. The problem isn’t necessarily that it’s written by men, but rather that there are so few female voices. (No offense intended to any male readers out there!)
So many unsung women out there don’t get the recognition they deserve. Like Samira said, “I felt a profound sadness for all the real geniuses we failed to celebrate. For all the art we will never see and the stories we will never read because their creator were not history’s conquerors, because their lives were deemed unworthy.” But now, we’re not gonna let those voices be silenced. They’re gonna be heard, loud and clear!
Gotta say, I’m totally into this book. And I hope you guys will love it too! Alright, I think I’ve rambled on enough. Time to wrap up this review. Catch you in the next one, guys! Bye!
“Smash the patriarchy. Eat all the pastries.”
XOXO,
Aaradhyaa
#WriteHerStory
Aaradhyaa.blog 