The Beauty of Your Face begins as Afaf Rahman walks away from her office at the Nurrideen Schoolofor Girls, a Muslim school. She slips away to a small room that years ago was a confessional when the building was originally a nunnery. This is where Afaf goes to do her morning prayers in private, but on this day, her prayers are interrupted by the terrifying sound of gunfire. This opening might lead you to believe that this is a story about a school shooting, but really it’s not. There is a school shooting and that plays a role in Afaf’s story, but The Beauty of Your Face is just that. Afaf’s story.

Afaf was born the second child of Palestinian immigrants. Her parents, much older sister and younger brother lived in a small apartment in the Chicago area. Their’s was not a happy family, nor were they a religious family. Their father was a drunk who cheated on their mother. Their mother was a deeply unhappy woman who desperately wanted to return to Palestine. The three kids got by, supporting each other, until that fell apart, too. At 10-years old, Afaf’s older sister vanished, just vanished.

“Afaf squeezes in and out of spaces, trying not to make noise around the apartment and at school. But Nada is bold and fearless. So different from her. So different from Mama.”

Now, you might think I’ve told you the whole story, but you’d be wrong. All I’ve shared is really just the set up for this beautiful character-driven story about Afaf, the life she led inside her very damaged family, and the journey that finally took her off the sad path her parents had put her on.

“Still her mother pines for the ones who are gone – Nada, Majeed – denying her and Baba, the ones who have stayed.”

The Beauty of Your Face has been one of my favorite books this year, but I know it won’t be for everyone. It started off a little slowly, but the further I read the more I cared about Afaf and the more I wanted to know how she could have ended up in that closet. Within the writing, you’ll find quite a bit of Arabic, often not translated. In the beginning this bothered me, but soon I realized I didn’t need an official translation. I could interpret the sentiment on my own. If those two small facts won’t bother you then this is a book well worth your time. Debut author Sahar Mustafah told a wonderful story and I loved the structure, each chapter ending with just a glimpse of what was happening back at the school. The Beauty of Your Face was the second book on this year’s Spring Preview and it was my second A book. Let’s hope the rest can live up to this high bar! Grade: A

Note: I received a copy of this book from W.W. Norton Company (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.

Mustafah does a wonderful job in showing the ways in which teenage girls seek identity (or identities) in ways that remain opaque to those around them. She also tells a nuanced story of a family in which the members remain unknown to each other, even to the end. The novel itself creates the very empathetic experience its own characters are seeking.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton and Company for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available April 7th!

Whew, Sahar Mustafah's "The Beauty of Your Face" is definitely a heavy piece. The story begins as Afaf Rahman, a second generation Palestinian American, finds herself at the mercy of a school shooter at her all girls Muslim American school in Chicago. It is a situation that is all too real for the millions of Muslim Americans today and Mustafah did a brilliant job of describing the large and small ways Islamophobia seeps through American life. I absolutely adored her writing, just tense enough to keep the reader always wanting a little bit more! The only thing that was slightly confusing was the way the story seemed to flip back and forth between the protagonist's current moment and her past life.

Definitely worth the hype!

The Beauty of Your Face is a timely novel that touches on some "hot button" issues. But are so important and this novel presents it from a side that I think many people don't get to hear from very often. I had a difficult time putting this book down. Sahar Mustafah has written a beautiful masterpiece that is sure to receive high praise when it is released.

This is a haunting and beautiful book about so many things -- family, faith, prejudice, community and what they mean to each of us. It tells the story of Afaf, the second daughter in a Muslim family over the course of her life, including her eventual role as principal of an all-girls Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. I love reading about the experiences of women from different cultures and of different faiths than my own. I visited Saudi Arabia for work several years ago and more recently visited a mosque as part of a community foundation's civic engagement project. In both cases, I found the Muslim women to be devout, strong, articulate and confident -- and not at all constrained by their faith as so many perceive. I really recommend this book -- even if the themes do not appeal to you, it is so well-written and thoughtful. Highly recommended.

I had the delight of being introduced to this book by one of my blogger friends. I also love to read books by author's with different ethnic backgrounds. I think it gives a unique voice to a culture that would otherwise go untold. I believe it is extremely important to read books by a wide, diverse range of authors.. I think as a reader, it gives me a broader view and makes me more well-read. I also am better able to recommend books to my customers who are looking for books told from a unique viewpoint or culturally diverse books.

This book tells the story of a Palestinian-American woman who faces a startling and all-too-real challenge we are facing in this country: school shootings. This book reminded me of Quicksand by Malin Persson Giolitto. If you like books that unravel as the pages turn, The Beauty of Your Face is definitely up your alley.

This is a chilling novel and one that I highly recommend.

Beautifully written! So haunting and desolate, but tinged with hope and resilience. This #ownvoices book tackles some emotionally-heavy and vastly important topics - so relevant in our world today. Religion, family, prejudice, community, racism, loyalty, forgiveness, identity. They're all woven together so well!

The flashbacks carry the majority of the story, and build the basis for how Afaf reacts to coming face to face with a shooter at the school where she works. Her past is full of both disappointment and growth, both balanced so beautifully.

I had trouble putting this book down, and hope that other people feel the same and share this story and its lessons with others. I can see this book being in my top 5 of the year!

While this book is powerful and important, it is intensely traumatic and won't be for every reader because of that.

A quick summary of the plot: Afaf is a principal at an all-girls private school for Muslims in Chicago. A shooter enters the building. The story shifts back and forth from present time in the school to Afaf's past as her past is explored through an omniscient narrator's perspective.

Afaf and her family endure hardship after hardship. Some of her family find comfort in their renewed faith. Others reject it.

Themes of faith, family, identity are explored throughout the book.

Instances of racism and mistreatment are really important for non-Arab and non-Muslim readers to understand.

I struggled to connect with Afaf for some reason. I was sympathetic, but I think I just had so much dread throughout the book (since I knew from the beginning there was an active shooter situation going on throughout the book), it caused a disconnect. I wasn't satisfied with the conclusion.

Perhaps this was just the wrong time for me to read it. Right time would be in a healthier head space, probably.

Caution: gun violence, missing child, death of loved one(s), mental illness, suicide attempt, racism & bigotry, alcoholism, drunk driving...possibly missing a few.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for my review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Palestinian girl grows up bearing the loss of her older sister, an alcoholic father, and a mother who suffered from crippling depression. Afaf finds her faith and a passion for educating young women. The book centers on her feelings of inferiority as a girl and the strength she finds as a woman. When a tragedy occurs in the form of an attack of terror in the school where she serves as the principal, Afaf comes face to face with a murderous white supremacist.

Sahar Mustafah has managed to write a novel that resonates deeply with readers. Her characters are all at once complex and deeply flawed. <i>The Beauty of Your Face<i/> takes readers along on Principal Afaf Rahman's life journey in a series of flashbacks as she grapples with the reality that her Muslim school for girls is under attack by an active shooter. The author paints a poignant picture of tragedy and heartache in a tribute to all Americans who are targeted for the color of their skin or the manner of their worship. Weaved into the story is the hardship and frustration that immigrant parents face upon arrival into the United States. It is a story with a resounding nod to religious freedom and acceptance of all human beings regardless of their beliefs. I personally learned a lot about the Islamic religion, and their traditions, and have a deeper appreciation for their plight. This novel also shed light on the difficulty faced during the aftermath of 9/11 because of the blithe disregard for the rights of Americans who were determined to be "terrorists" by ignorant individuals.

I struggled with the story of Nada's disappearance, and though I appreciated why Mustafah included her story, I would've preferred it to be further fleshed out. There just wasn't enough substance throughout the story to predicate her actions both in the beginning of the novel, and toward the end.

Despite that one small grievance, I highly recommend this gripping novel which will be released on April 7th. The author certainly has an easy way with words and her persuasive writing highlights the delicate human spirit and all its nuances.

Many thanks to W. W. Norton and Company and NetGalley for gifting me with this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

See more of my reviews at mamasgottaread.blogspot.com

This book, while an interesting story, was not what I expected. The book centers around the life of Afaf, a Palestinian American woman, and the struggles she and her family endure throughout her life. The story of the shooting at a Muslim school for girls felt largely disconnected from the overall narrative. It seemed almost like two different stories. For some reason I also found it difficult to connect with the characters, which made this novel less strong than other family sagas in a similar vein, like A Place for Us and A Woman is No Man, that I enjoyed.

I think this is a hugely important story to tell, but I struggled a bit with the writing style and did not realize how much of an extended back-story there would be and how much it would focus on family dynamics. For some reason I struggle to find those stories interesting. I would have liked a bit more of the modern day story with less of the back-piece (perhaps because I can relate more to the modern day story seeing what goes on in the world these days?).

But this is absolutely one will be recommending and one that will resonate with many readers who do enjoy those sweeping family sagas.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a sobering look into anti-Muslim bigotry. Afaf, the principal of an all-girls Muslim school, listens in horror as a shooter storms the building. As this transpires, we are taken on a journey through Afaf’s memories.

We learn about her early upbringing that included deep loss and profound racism, and as she finds her faith, we see her transform into a woman with conviction and self-worth.

This is a painful and beautiful account of human connection and forgiveness.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

Complex and gorgeously written, THE BEAUTY OF YOUR FACE by Sahar Mustafah follows Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants and principal of a Muslim school for girls in the suburbs of Chicago, as she grapples with the terrifying reality of a radicalized school shooter. The novel switches between Afaf’s present and past, facing prejudice, racism, and xenophobia as a child amidst her sister’s devastating disappearance.

I think it’s pretty clear from the synopsis that there’s a lot going on this book, but the author does a great job of balancing everything out in a very seamless, organic way. Both the flashbacks and flash-forwards were equally compelling, and overall the entire book is just incredibly moving. Thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and an absolute must-read in the world we live today.

This review will be posted to my main platform, www.intagram.com/inquisitivebookworm, in April closer to the release date.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This book took me totally by surprise. When I first read the description, I was wary, but I am so glad I stuck it out. While most who read the description may focus on the words such as “Muslim” and “school shooting,” this book is so much more than that. It is a nuanced, heart-breaking and beautiful coming-of-age story that will give readers of all ages and backgrounds something to relate to.

So what is this book really about?

Afaf is a Palestinian American who has been shaped by her heritage, her family, and tragedy. When she was young, her oldest sister Nada disappeared without a trace, tearing her family apart and leaving her unstable. Growing up in suburban Chicago in the 70’s and 80’s, life already wasn’t easy for a poor arabiyyat, but the affects that Nada’s disappearance has on Afaf’s family leaves Afaf with a distant Mom, an alcoholic Dad, and a hole in her heart. Fast forward to the present day and Afaf is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school that soon becomes the site of a school shooting. This story follows the events in the present day while we jump back in time to see all of the events that led to this day and made Afaf to be the woman that she is when she ultimately confronts the shooter face-to-face.

Beginning this book, I was ultimately terrified to be confronted with the details of a school shooting. While the “present day” of this book takes place in 2002, we all know that these events are so much more common today and is likely a trigger for many people out there. Thankfully, this book focuses more on Afaf’s life growing up and her personal journey than the shooting itself, thought it does play an important role in the story. In many ways, this book and Afaf’s story is about contrast. The author juxtaposes many different themes in this book, from the “amarakan” culture and the Middle Eastern culture, the affects of pain and the hope of healing, and the hate that is bred from pain and ignorance to the light that is brought from peace and understanding.

One aspect of Afaf’s story that stayed with me after I finished this book was her relationship with her mother as it was so different from the relationship that I have with my own mother. Here, we see how Afaf’s mom is deeply emotionally and mentally affected by the loss of her oldest daughter, Nada, when she disappears. In the years that come, she is distant and often cruel to her children, sinking deeper into her pain. The affects that this relationship has on Afaf is profound and it truly speaks to the importance of a healthy family structure.

“‘Inshallah’ Afaf says. It’s such a simple word that seems full of promise, yet without the pressure of failure. A word conceding to a power that might ultimately decide all of their fates, lifting get burden from themselves”

In the end, this book is about hope. Later in the book, Afaf finds a new kind of healing through her faith, and this transformation is one that brings new hope and joy into her life, despite her difficult relationship with her mom. It is uplifting to see how this helps Afaf and pushes her to love herself and others. It also speaks to her bravery, as she enters this faith journey while being scorned for her mother for it at home, discriminated for it outside of her home, and ultimately bringing her face to face with a school shooter. This drastic escalation is one that needs to happen to show not only the realities of life for Muslims in the U.S. today, but also to echo what Muslims around the world have been saying since 2001: our faith is a peaceful one, these terrorists don’t represent us, we are not very different from you. It’s true, many instances in this book, from the shooting to Nada disappearing and Afaf’s home life follow a sad and difficult theme. But it is in the darkness that the stars can truly shine, and the strong character that we encounter in Afaf is a testament to all that one can overcome when faced with adversity.

I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages, genders, religions, races, etc. This book isn’t trying to teach you to be a Muslim, but rather to understand their lives, and through the trials that Afaf faces in her life, everyone will find some hope to move forward with their own.

Afaf, the principal of a Muslim school for girls, is shocked and frozen when she hears gunfire and the screams of her students. As she listens, the book alternates to a young Afaf and her experiences growing up in America. A daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Afaf feels as if she is torn between two worlds, unable to fit into either of them. When her older sister goes missing, things quickly unravel with her parents.

This was a compelling and well written book. The alternating story lines worked very well together. It was interesting reading about Afaf's experiences growing up and the turmoil her family faced. I would love to read more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

The Beauty of Your Face is an absolute masterpiece, alternating between real time in which Afaf is faced with a shooter, and her past as the child of Palestinian immigrants in Chicago. The author writes with a kind of nearness and intimacy. Afaf felt so alive and I loved spending time with her, through her triumphs and challenges. The novel also avoids the common pitfalls of the genre: the "model citizen" trope, the inspirational immigrant story. The storytelling is nuanced and complicated. I adored this book and can't wait to share it with others.

This amazing book follows Afaf, who is an American born child of Palestinian immigrants along with an older sister, Nada and a brother Majeed. She grows up through much adversity. Her mother has undiagnosed mental health issues and has not adjusted to life in America, therefore, has difficulty balancing the demands of every day life. She grieves for her home in Palestine and her husband does not know how to support her. Afaf’s father, in feeling loss himself, goes through a bout with alcoholism and a serious automobile accident. Afaf never feels that she belongs anywhere and gets no support from her tattered family life. When Afaf finds peace and belonging in the mosque, that makes some matters better and some worse, but she grows through it all becoming a successful adult in a world that ridicules her. Her faith in Allah gets her through many difficulties and trials.
I enjoyed Sahar Mustafah’s writing style. It is very easy to read and flows along with the primary characters having depth and feeling. The descriptions are well written and I could melt into the book. At times I had to stop reading and remember that I was not actually living in that world. It is an eye opening view of the struggles of immigrants and Muslims in America and I recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton and Company for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Beauty of Your Face.
My favorite quote from the book is…”It’s never too late. Every day we can be better. There’s no limit. No end. You only have to believe.” 1985-chapter 10

#TheBeautyofYourFace. #NetGalley

Afaf Rahman grew up as the second-best daughter in her family of immigrants from Palestine. Nada was the favorite oldest daughter and shattered the family when, as a teenager, she ran away from home. I fell quickly into the rhythm of the plot and the depiction of each of the family members. Afaf, after much struggle, becomes a teacher, and the novel opens with a scene of carnage in the Islamic school for girls where she is a principal. Leaving us in that moment of impending tragedy, Sahar Mustafah tells the story of the Rahman family.

The family is not religious, but Afaf and her brother Majeed are still the objects of jeers and remarks from their classmates and people in the community, outside of Chicago.One of the significant issues in the family is that Afaf's mother finds it impossible to adjust to life in the USA. She hates everything about the culture, refuses to learn the language, and spends much time thinking about going home to Palestine.

Afaf is a curious and joyful child when she is in her room listening to music on the record player her father bought at a yard sale. She and her brother dance on their beds to ABBA and Aquarius. They have their happy little world until they have to make a phone call or perform some other chore. Mother is never pleased or satisfied.

Afaf gets into a fair amount of trouble at school. She finds it hard not to respond to the mean remarks or deeds of her classmates. Majeed has perfected a way to get around it by getting into baseball. Boys focus on the game, and girls focus on each other.

Sahar Mustafah's novel is a thorough story of one immigrant's family replete with tragedy, joy, separations, love, and fear. I couldn't think of a better book to read for more understanding of how families from the Middle East survive and flourish in this harsh culture we offer them.

Thank you to the author, W. W. Norton & Company, and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this excellent new novel.