Dhul-Hijjah 1440 / August 2019's Book Club Second Pick — The Candle and The Flame
Updated: Sep 5, 2019
Assalamu aleikum waramatulahi wabarakatuhu everyone!
For this edition of the book club, regular member and blogger Maryam.J and Papatia Feauxzar — your host and moderator will be discussing The Candle and the Flame.
Read an interview and review with the author here.
1. What did you like the most and what gave you pause?
MJ : The Candle and The Flame is another one that's hard to pinpoint what I liked the most. For this, I'll say how much I loved Fatima Ghazala. She's so bold and frank. I also love how Fatima and Fatima Ghazala's differences are so prominent but done so smoothly. The Candle and The Flame also has some amazing quotes that definitely made me stop and reflect if you will. At one point, Fatima Ghazala tells Zulfikar that she cannot handle any more loss. His reply is that death cannot be denied. And because life precedes death, life must still be lived and even one second should not be wasted. It's such an obvious sentiment but it was also a needed reminder.
PF : Very true. In my case, nothing really gave me pause. I loved the whole plot and many passages. I found them very inspiring. Also, I liked that the book was hard to put down because I found it so intriguing. In addition, The Alif Sisters were a hoot. If I have to pick a quote above all, it is, “You do not need to make friends with the walls around you to know they are there.” Sometimes, we have friends with whom we pick up wherever we left things off and carry on. And this quote was a testament of that.
2. What didn't you like?
MJ : I don't know if this would be considered a place to improve upon but for The Candle and The Flame; my only complaint regarding the story is that it's set on the silk road and no one of African descent is mentioned. But many other people and cultural backgrounds are mentioned. Also, the amount of description, in the beginning, did bring me out of the story a couple of times but Azad fixed that on her own as the story went along.
PF : The African part that you mention didn't bother me at all. I was satisfied that at least a character was named Bilal and that was African enough for me, hehe.
3. Was the story original?
MJ : Yes, I loved it. It was original and different.
PF : Oh yes, the book is very original to me.
4. What are your other thoughts?
MJ : I loved how Bhavya stepped up and did what she had to do after the betrayal that happened. I also want her to have a happy ending and I was kind of sad for her that she didn't get one but hopeful that she will.
PF : Oh yea, I really liked Bhavya. A woman controls her happiness. With the way the book ended, I was confident that she will find the light she needs at the end of the tunnel.
5. If you could talk to the author right now, what questions would you ask ?
MJ : Where did the idea for Fatima Ghazala come from?
PF : What is your next writing project?
Thank you Maryam for continuing to be a part of this endeavor. Let's keep in touch insha'Allah!
Dear readers, Muharram 1441 AH/September 2019's Book Club Pick is We Hunt the Flame.
If you read it :
1. What did you like most?
2. What gave you pause?
3. What didn't you like?
4. What are your other thoughts?
5. What question (s) do you have for the author?
We look forward to hearing from you.
G E T I N T O U C H AND CLAIM THE MUG AND THE BOOKMARK !
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Until next time, subhanaka Allahumma wa-bihamdika ash-hadu anla ilaha illa anta as-taghfiruka wa atoobu ilayka. Aaamen.
Wassalam,
The Fofky's Book Club