Today I am sharing an extract from Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik. I bought this novel on Amazon about three years ago because I was intrigued by the blurb. At that time, I had not read any diverse novels and I was curious about a story based on the dating experience of a Muslim woman wearing a hijab.
In this novel Sofia Khan is ready to renounce men when her sort-of boyfriend/possible-marriage-partner-to-be proves to be a little too close to his parents – until her boss persuades her to write a tell-all exposé on the Muslim dating scene and she makes a foray into online dating.
I am sharing an extract from when she is describing her first experience of dating on the internet.
“You know what the problem is?” I continued. “There are the men who’ll marry a hijabi – but then expect her to move in with a hole-in-the-wall, or think she’s going to be this weird paragon of traditional values.” I sighed. “And then there are the men who are all, “You’re living in the west – what’s with the hijab?’”(p43)
(2015, Twenty7 Books, UK)
Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged by Ayesha Malik is a story that had me chuckling throughout. This diverse rom-com was published in 2015 and was my first diverse read.
Would you read this diverse rom-com?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2016
(This post is linked to Ambrosia’s Teaser Tuesdays at The Purple Booker)
This sounds like such a great diverse read. I love learning more about cultural norms and perspectives. Thank you for sharing an excerpt! 😀
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I learned quite a lot of the Muslim’s dating experience in this one – things I would never have thought of. Also it is such a fun read.
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I love learning cultural aspects like that. I just finished a book that taught me more about Vietnamese dating, which I adored. So i’ll definitely give this one a try 🙂 Thanks for the reply!
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That sounds interesting! What is the title of the novel?
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It’s The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. It deals with Vietnamese cultural expectations of dating, antiquated notions of arranged marriage, the culture shock of immigration as well as the stigma and difficulties of autism and dating. It was quite an emotional, yet still sweet and funny read. I’ve just posted a review of it on my blog, so you’re welcome to have a look at that if you’d like more info 🙂
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That one is already on the TBR pile next to my bed 😄
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I really hope you enjoy it then! I look forward to reading your review on it 😀
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Thank you.
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Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog. This book sounds good.
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I enjoyed it when I read it – and I am sure I will re-read it some time in the future.
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