Fatima's Room

Finished October 27

Fatima's Room by Charlotte S. Gray

This short novel is intense. Fatima is a young woman, a middle daughter in a family of six girls. Her father is strict and often cruel. As the book opens we learn that Fatima is staying in a room by herself at her maternal uncle's. She is there because she has caused her father's death. We gradually learn the circumstances of this, the decision that the family will be undertaking about her fate, and how various other members of her family feel about this.

Fatima was able to be in college because her aunt and grandmother arranged it while her father was away. She longs for a future as a writer, and her uncle has given her a blank book and encouraged her to write while she is waiting. It is the time of Ramadan, and the verdict will come after this time is over.

The novel was inspired by the author's work in Sudan with the education of young women, as they told her of their lives and dreams after growing to trust her. She was aware of the limited lives these woman faced, and of punishments such as honour killings for various rebellious acts. She began to wonder what would happen to someone who struck out in anger, fear, or frustration with such a result. We see her feelings about realizing this is the first time she's had a room of her own.

We see Fatima struggle as she is offered options, and the guilt she feels along with the relief. A very interesting read. 

Three Holidays and a Wedding

Finished January 15

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marisa Stapley

This holiday novel begins in Denver as, nearing the end of December, people are travelling for the holidays. The year is 2000 and Hanukkah, Christmas, and Ramadan are all happening near the same time. This means more people are travelling, and travelling by air in the winter in North America is always taking the chance that weather will cause delays. 

Maryam Aziz is herding herding her parents and grandfather, and a vast amount of carry-on luggage toward their gate. Her younger sister, a doctor working with Doctors without Borders, has chosen this time to get married, and the group is travelling to Toronto for the wedding. Her sister Saima has just flown in, and is meeting them at the gate. Maryam is the one who is always tasked with organizing things, and, in this case, she has worked with Saima's future in-laws to organize the entire wedding, and the travel plans for her closest family members. She is tired and a little bit annoyed at feeling taken for granted.

Anna Gibson has been dating Nick, a wealthy man she met at a fundraiser for a few months, after bonding over their roots in Toronto. She is travelling to spend the Christmas with his family, but sometimes feels that he doesn't really listen to her or want to hear her thoughts and dreams.

It is the weather that foils all their plans, and they find themselves landing at a small airport outside of Ottawa instead of at their destination. It is near the town of Snow Falls, a very Christmassy, yet surprisingly diverse small town, where they find themselves welcomed. 

As they work to figure out a way to get to their planned destination, they also find things to do, a time outside of their normal busy lives to ponder what they really want, and insight into the shared traditions across all three religions. 

This is a feel-good novel of hope, friendship, and romance. It has second chances for some, a fresh start for others, and newly formed bonds made stronger through shared experiences. 

A great and uplifting read by two skilled Canadian writers.