Brick Lane by Monica Ali

Brick Lane

Monica Ali

A striking debut novel filled with humour and humility. A tale of two Muslim sisters told with acute observation of cultural and emotional tensions. One based in an East End London community following the aftermath of 9/11, and the other in a traditional Bangladeshi village. Believe the hype!

Extract
If he had a Lion Hearts leaflet in his hand, he wanted his daughters covered. He would not be cowed by these Muslim-hating peasants.
If he saw some girls go by in hijab he became agitated at this display of peasant ignorance. Then the girls went out in their skirts.
Sometimes he saw both sides of it. 'The poor whites, you see, are the ones that feel most threatened ....' On these days it was left to Nazneen or the girls to decide what they should wear.
Parallels
  • White Teeth by Zadie Smith
  • Salman Rushdie by Midnight's Children
  • East is East - the film