Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Harper Avenue
Pages: 368
Published: April 2021
Rating: 4.5/5
Buy at: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Indigo | Alibris | Add to Goodreads
Summary and Story:
You’ve Got Mail meets Tweet Cute set in two competing halal restaurants.
Hana Khan’s family restaurant “Three Sisters Biryani Poutine” is struggling and just about everyone knows that. Now the only halal restaurant in the close-knit Golden Crescent neighbourhood faces competition from an upscale halal joint.
A part-time waitress and a radio station intern, Hana also runs a podcast where she shares her experiences as a brown Muslim woman in Toronto. But what she truly wants is to tell her stories. Not the stereotypical ones but the ones with heart.
When her mysterious aunt and her teenage cousin arrive from India, they draw Hana into a long-buried family secret. A hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana’s growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival restaurant—who might not be a complete stranger after all.
As life on the Golden Crescent unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be.
Review:
I had read the author’s debut book Ayesha At Last (a take on Pride and Prejudice) last year. I enjoyed it and had been looking forward to her next book. When Colored Pages Book Tours launched a book tour for the same, I readily signed up.
“Find your principles and see your story through to the end, no matter what.”
Hana Khan Carries On primarily revolves around the titular character, Hana. Her interaction with her family, her struggle to find her voice at work, her “all gloves are off” fight with her rival, Aydin. Aydin on the other hand comes across as a character who struggles to impress his father while trying to do the right thing. None of the main characters (or even the side characters) are perfect. That is the charm of the story.
The book is fast-paced. The writing is lucid with laugh-out-loud moments. There is a generous dose of the vernacular. And of course, there is food. How can a book based in a biryani restaurant not have food? It does change tone after the hate attack but that is expected. Something that is very well handled.
There are numerous characters in the book apart from Hana and Aydin but they all add to the story. Hana’s family, childhood friends Lily and Yusuf, and cousin Rashid who is a sweetheart, And my favorite Kawkab Khala. Her back story is a fun read. These are characters that are well etched and ones you are invested in. There is also Zulfa who isn’t stereotypical (without giving too much away).
“As my accountant parents always say, it’s better to deal with issues directly instead of cowering. Be the blade in the hand, not the snake in the grass.“
Most books with Muslim and South Asian rep tend to go with the rebel with a cause trope. Where the main character is written as a hijabi woman just to be unique. And it ends at that. The author on the other hand gives us an insight into the life of a young Muslim immigrant woman. Hana is not a stereotypical rebel. She is not one who is struggling with the archaic views of her parents. In fact, her parents are supportive of her decision to not follow in the family business. She is not perfect – she breaks rules, accepts her faults, and learns from them. A regular 24-year-old.
“My father says that trying to stop hate is like trying to stop the tides… The best thing you can do is take advantage of it. Don’t stop the tide from flowing. Build a hydroelectric dam and make electricity instead, enough to power ten thousand houses. That’s how you stop hate.”
Although it is marketed as a rom-com, this book is way more than that. Not all light and fluffy. It delves into the issues of islamophobia, xenophobia, and racial discrimination. It is about first-generation immigrants made to feel they do not belong. It is about the stereotypes anyone from a minority community has to deal with. It is about the media trying to cash in on a hate attack with utter disregard for the repercussion on the victim. It is a reflection of how social media shapes narratives and not always for the better. It is also about the grit and determination of people dealing with the aftermath of the attacks.
The book was a tad predictable at times. The “You’ve Got Mail” reference was a dead giveaway. But all in all, it is a culturally significant book packaged as a rom-com. A refreshing read and I highly recommend you pick it up.
Giveaway (Ends June 17th):
Blog Tour: Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin #BookReview @UzmaWrites @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Click To Tweet
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
About the Author
Uzma Jalaluddin is the author of AYESHA AT LAST (2018), a retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in a Toronto Muslim community. Her second novel HANA KHAN CARRIES ON (2021) is inspired by the movie ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and set in rival halal restaurants. She also writes a funny parenting column for The Toronto Star, and has written for The Atlantic. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at UzmaJalaluddin.com, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Goodreads.
Tour Schedule
May 31st: Quintessentially Bookish, @the_offbeat_human
June 1st: @bookishcornerr, For TheLoveof Fictional Worlds
June 2nd: @farrahlives, Diary of a Bookgirl
June 3rd: Emotional Medley, Read ‘n’ Dazzled
June 4th: Fatima Moosa, A Book and Chai
June 5th: Tea.Books.Magic, @inoirita
June 6th: Starry Eyed Enigma, Musing of Souls, @Booksandstrokes
June 7th: Heart’s Content, Bohemian Bibliophile, Moonchild Lexicons
June 8th: Sugar, Spice and Stories, _half.blood.reader,
June 9th: Windows to Worlds, @_theliteraryartisan
June 10th: Roving Savant, @musfira._, Chai n Books
June 11th: Melancholic Blithe, The Tsundoku Chronicles, @padaku_ladka, @lonevixen_ka
June 12th: The Keysmash Blog, It’s Just a Coffee Addicted Bibliophile, The Urban Reader
June 13th: @TahooraHashmi, Book Rambler
I would like to thank Colored Pages Book Tours and the publisher for providing a copy of the book for the blog tour. All opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small percentage of the sale at no cost to you.
June 9, 2021 @ 10:09 pm
Amazing story…. The plotting is great with all points….well written…..the efforts are reflecting with all brightness in it…..Will surely go through this as soon as possible….
June 18, 2021 @ 11:43 pm
It is a great read. Do pick it up..
June 10, 2021 @ 12:16 pm
Wow, such a detailed review of the book. I loved when the author highlighted the part of islamophobia, xenophobia, and racial discrimination. The way first-generation immigrants made to feel they do not belong to the society. I would love to read it.
June 13, 2021 @ 2:15 pm
This book looks really nice. Thank you for sharing a detailed review. Will definitely read it soon
June 18, 2021 @ 11:46 pm
Thank you Simrit 🙂
June 18, 2021 @ 11:46 pm
Thank you Pamela 🙂 Do pick it up. I love how the author wove in such important topics effortlessly.
June 10, 2021 @ 2:07 pm
This books looks like a good read. I like the advice given by Hana Khan’s father and that’s how the life is ,you cannot control others but you can definitely have control over how you feel, acre and react.
June 18, 2021 @ 11:48 pm
It indeed is. Those are actually the cousin Rashid’s words. He has some of the best quotes in the book.
June 10, 2021 @ 9:12 pm
Ritu, first of all, I really liked the plot of the book. A brown woman, dreams of sharing her stories through her voice. Wow, such a beautiful concept and so powerful at the same time. I so loved the review and really wish to read the story. There are hundreds of Hana Khan, are living in every corner of the world, waiting to be heard, someday.
June 18, 2021 @ 11:50 pm
Thank you so much, Swarnali. 🙂 Do pick it up. I loved how Hana shared her story as a podcaster. You are absolutely right. There are hundreds of Hana Khans waiting to share their story.
June 11, 2021 @ 8:59 am
That’s such a wonderful review. There should be more writings on such topics like Islamophobia. Would like to read this book as rom-com is my favourite genre.
June 18, 2021 @ 11:52 pm
Thank you Shreemayee. There are so many books that we rarely get to know about. I wish people would give the lesser-known books a chance. They are often way better than the popular ones.
June 11, 2021 @ 2:58 pm
I have told you this before and I’ll say it again, Ritu, I love your Book Reviews. They are so honest, and detailed, even as you maintain the curiosity about the plot. Reading your reviews allows the reader to make up their mind about picking up the book, or not.
Thank you for introducing me to another new Author. I think I would enjoy reading this book.
June 19, 2021 @ 12:00 am
Thank you so much, Mayuri. 🤗 It means a lot coming from you. You have always been my constant support. I am so glad to be able to introduce new authors.
June 11, 2021 @ 3:04 pm
Very thorough and intresting review. The book seems to be a good read. Will buy a copy soon.
June 19, 2021 @ 12:02 am
Thank you Smita 🙂
June 11, 2021 @ 3:53 pm
Interesting review Ritu. Seems like the book has a bit of everything romance, intrigue, action & more. Maybe I will put it on my reading list too. The writers these days have so much to offer. Stories set in India or having a reference to the culture connect with me.
June 11, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
Interesting review, would love to read this book. Adding it to my TBR
June 11, 2021 @ 10:25 pm
Sounds like a very interesting book and I loved your review. Your really good at writing reviews. Surely try to grab a copy of it.
June 11, 2021 @ 11:56 pm
this sounds like a lovely read, its quite a comprehensive review
June 12, 2021 @ 12:07 am
Great review…you have covered all aspects of the book nicely…its always interesting reading books set in different cultures…
June 12, 2021 @ 7:45 am
There words hammered
“As my accountant parents always say, it’s better to deal with issues directly instead of cowering. Be the blade in the hand, not the snake in the grass.“
This sentence is on the top..
I loved this personally…. Amazing🤩🤩
June 12, 2021 @ 1:18 pm
Your reviews are the best I have ever read, Ritu. Hana khan caries on by Uzma sounds like a great read. Will try to get my hands on it.
June 12, 2021 @ 1:26 pm
Thanks for the detailed review! I am sure it will be an interesting read.
June 12, 2021 @ 3:40 pm
Your review has got me hooked and I definitely want to read this… I like such rom-com reads and will get it on my Kindle.
June 12, 2021 @ 4:53 pm
HANA KHAN CARRIES ON seems to be a good read as your review has taken us on a 360-degree trip through the book. The struggle of an average brown Asian in the western world, racism and Islamophobia are quite relevant topics communicated at large.
June 13, 2021 @ 7:33 pm
Very very interesting lines this book is based. I love your review and I’m definitely getting my hands on this.
June 12, 2021 @ 7:25 pm
Hi Ritu….You make me want to pick up the book asap….So interested. (The Bio of the Author needs some correction: “…..She lives in Toronto with my husband and two sons” OMG!! A very cute and funny slip I guess.
June 13, 2021 @ 9:51 am
Such good concept of the book. I was into books before kids, but now, just got lost with kids and home. But now I guess I have found one to start off..
June 13, 2021 @ 3:29 pm
Nice review. The genes have passed on well 🙂 You have been after me to read the audio book of this one and I will start on it soon. I know the story though.
June 13, 2021 @ 4:09 pm
The plots are really well written and extreme good point of view I must say.
June 13, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
Hanna carries on has so much to say and the storyline is gripping . I liked the pointers in the review that make the readers curious to pick the book. Shall visit the insta page for the giveaway.
June 13, 2021 @ 6:26 pm
That’s quite an interesting review . And a very honest one too. I love a good rom- com any day. Adding it to my reading list.
June 13, 2021 @ 6:37 pm
Your book reviews are always so honest and good. This book seems so interesting after reading the summary. I will check out this one soon.
June 13, 2021 @ 7:34 pm
Very very interesting lines this book is based. I love your review and I’m definitely getting my hands on this.
June 13, 2021 @ 7:56 pm
I always love your style of detailing book reviews without spoiling. ‘Hana Khan Carries On’ seems to have a promising storyline; I would love to check this out.
June 13, 2021 @ 8:49 pm
Lovely book review. loved the way you worded it, it impossible to even imagine the struggle of an average brown Asian in the western world, racism and Islamophobia are quite relevant topics communicated at large.
and only the one who goes through can feel it