A Simple "Loving" Story
So when I first read the first impression, I was under the impression that the author would explore the intercultural/interracial relationship that defines the book. Instead, the author explores the internal conflict of those left behind after all the shunning and shaming takes place for said relationship. Normally, I would lose interest (after all, there is only so many pages of cognitive dissonance that one can take), but Hiranandi's protagonist, Ariel, is so likable that you can't help but fall in love with her.
The prose is immersive, and the second-person perspective, while jarring at first, actually grew on me as the story went on. We got to see how Ariel came to terms with realizing that how she sees the world is not how others see it, and that love can come in many shades, religions, and forms that are not always apparent. I devoured this story in one sitting, and I have a feeling that a lot of other young readers will do the same.
The prose is immersive, and the second-person perspective, while jarring at first, actually grew on me as the story went on. We got to see how Ariel came to terms with realizing that how she sees the world is not how others see it, and that love can come in many shades, religions, and forms that are not always apparent. I devoured this story in one sitting, and I have a feeling that a lot of other young readers will do the same.