The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf: A Novel (Paperback)

by Mohja Kahf (Author)
Key Phrases: candy corn, Dawah Center, Aunt Khadija, Aunt Ayesha (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In comp lit professor Kahf's fiction debut, Khadra Shamy recalls growing up in an immigrant Syrian family in 1970s Indianapolis. Khadra's devout parents raise Khadra and her older brother, Eyad, to be observant of Islamic customs. The inevitable culture clashes ensue, from taunts of "raghead" and "go back where you came from" to the varying interpretations of Islamic code among the community's other Muslims. The mutability of ordinary cultural crossroads—along with the shock of violent ones, such as the rape and murder of one of Khadra's friends—force Khadra to continually question what it means to be "Muslim" or "American." After a short and disastrous marriage to an overbearing husband (he forbids her to ride a bike; she has an abortion), Khadra travels to Syria—now mired in political and religious strife—and returns to the United States in the late '80s to continue searching for her own way in the world. Khadra is a compelling protagonist, and the supporting cast is varied and believable, but Kahf's authorial incursions—critiques of religion and society—are heavy-handed. However, Khadra's ever-evolving view of herself and her religion resonate and provide a valuable portrayal of an oft-misunderstood faith. (Oct. 10)
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Review
" A sensitive, passionate and occasionally lyrical book."--Dr. A Yemisi Jimoh -- Dr. A Yemisi Jimoh

"A refreshingly human look at growing up Muslim in America…. clean American prose that shows brilliance."--Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore -- Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore

"Mohja Kahf is a clear-eyed, nervy, and passionate writer…. This is a bright, vivid, and important book."--Molly Giles -- Molly Giles

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs (September 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786715197
• ISBN-13: 978-0786715190
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #256,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish everyone would read this one!, February 3, 2007

By	SpikesMom "reader" (Atlanta, GA USZ) - See all my reviews

The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf is an amazingly balanced book, presenting a 3-dimensional representation of growing up in Islam in America. The author is very honest and even-handed. I was surprised at how much I could identify with Khadra and how much I could identify with those who angered and hurt her. This book should be read by everyone. Very thought-provoking and perspective-changing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An illuminating book - addressing some of the central issues of our times, August 13, 2007

By	John P. Jones III (Albuquerque, NM, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A book that yields rich insights on several dimensions. The dominant one is what it is like to grow up as a minority within the American culture - and not just any old minority, but as a Muslim, which parts of American society are actively trying to demonize. It was the "flip-side" of my own experience, living as a non-Muslim in the very heartland of Islam, Saudi Arabia, for a quarter century. While I was never forced to deal with issues of assimilation, Ms. Kahf's character, Khadra, must wrestle with the parts of her heritage that are essential, and those that can be jettisoned. How many religious injunctions are merely codified fetishes, illustrated by the refusal to eat any meat from the deli because of the meat-cutter?

There are numerous important sub-themes. The timeless subject of male-female relations, with that "Islamic twist" is shown in a realistic light, covering a spectrum of possibilities. Through her characters, Blu and Bitsy, who were Khadra's roommates at various periods, Ms. Kafh is able to illustrate nuances in beliefs that are all too often generalized. Blu is Jewish, and there is much agreement between these "daughters of Abraham," except on that haram subject of Israel and Palestine. Bitsy is Iranian, and leaves notes around the apartment blaming "the Arabs" for all of Iran's problems.

Khadra's trip to Saudi Arabia, to complete the Haj, was more uneven. There is no question that cocaine exists in the Kingdom, but I found the particular scene in which it was depicted playing heavily towards that stereotypical view of rich, decadent Saudis. More realistic, and more insightful are her dealings with the mutawaa (the religious police), and in particular how various Saudi males refuse to confront their arrogance and inappropriate behavior.

Ms. Kafh is clearly erudite, in a most important trans-cultural way. Her epigraphs ground her novel in the wider world of ideas, and these selections range from Rumi and Al-Arabi to James Baldwin and Leonard Cohen.

A strong book, which addresses some of the central issues of our times.... And is strongly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous, humanizing coming of age story., January 15, 2007

By	A parent (Michigan) - See all my reviews

You'll be happy to know that I've actually read this novel, and I can't say enough good things about it. I read it in an attempt to understand more about the lives and motivations of Muslim women, and I wasn't disappointed. What I didn't anticipate was how much I would enjoy this book as a universal "coming of age" story. It isn't a story for and about Muslim women, it is for and about ALL women. Truly wonderful. Thank you for sharing your veil with us Mohja.