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A review by melodys_library
Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber
4.0
I needed the soft, lyrical prose of Diana Abu Jaber right now. Food and love come alive in this story, as with every Abu Jaber story. You can smell the notes of roasted lamb and onion in the cafe, and feel the vibrations of new love beginning between Han and Sirine. Amid the romance, Abu Jaber also adds dashes of pre-9/11 politics, religion, and cultural clashes to the mix.
As the secrets of Han’s past are slowly unveiled, Sirine journeys into self-reflection. Growing up Iraqi-American without religious practice or affinity for politics, she begins to explore what it means to be Muslim in the West. She stumbles along the way through self-doubt and self-awareness, and it’s difficult to get through, but you must, because hope lies at the end.
As the secrets of Han’s past are slowly unveiled, Sirine journeys into self-reflection. Growing up Iraqi-American without religious practice or affinity for politics, she begins to explore what it means to be Muslim in the West. She stumbles along the way through self-doubt and self-awareness, and it’s difficult to get through, but you must, because hope lies at the end.