Any muslim mners who have read "Brick Lane"?

[Verytiredmum]

Hi Are there any muslim mumsnetters who have read Brick Lane? I have just finished reading it and loved it. I felt that it gave an amusing and very sympathetic picture of some of the stresses and peculiarities of life in the UK, and I really appreciated being able to see recent world events through the eyes of someone in the muslim community (thought that the ending was pretty unrealistic, but good literature!)

I'd just love to hear what anyone from the muslim community - particularly from that area of London - thought of the novel.

[saadia]

I'm a muslim and I have read it. I thought parts of it were slightly unbelievable (the affair) but as a novel it was compelling. Thought the descriptions of Channu were very funny and convincing particularly when they all turned up at the doctor's house uninvited.

[Verytiredmum]

Thanks Saadia. I loved Channu too - it was great the way that his character developed, and the way that we saw him changed too, as the novel developed.

[Nightynight]

I also found the affair unbelievable, I must say. a. that it would have raised her self-esteem, and b. that she would have dared to return to her home country when her dh was there and knew that she had been unfaithful

[stitch]

i thought the whole thing was very believable. especially the bit about the affair.
i think that its more a portrayal of the bengali community in tower hamlets than that of a typical muslim community, [if that exists]

[Hanifah]

Salams guys,i LOVED the book,im a revert myself but hubby is bengali(although he grew up in black area not asian)I also thought SOME parts were believable but i dont necessarily think she was talking from experience&some of the things she had the characters thinking I think were unrealistic,she was projecting her doubts/thoughts on islam on those who DO believe in islam which didnt work so much, even the portrayal of the black revert was ridiculous BUT it was a REALLY enjoyable book, Channu was hilarious,Kareem(was dat his name)was what kept me interested...ididnt really like the ending or find it realistic but its DEFINITELY a good read. I see why people might have a problem with it tho as it mightnt represent what its suppose to and she was very clever calling it "Brick Lane" certainly helped her sell copies. Theres another book "Ayeshas rainbow" written by a bengali sister who grew up & works in Tower Hamlets,shes a hijabi and from what i can gather the book is in response to Brick Lane. Havnt read enough yet to have an opinion on it yet but will keep yall posted

[ameli]

I thoughtthis was a great read, agree that the afair bit was a tad unrealistic. Although all the imagery and detailed description of life in the east end was brilliant.

[Babadoo]

I'm 3/4 way through at the moment, Nazneen is out for a few days with nervous exhaustion. I keep reading parts of the book to my husband, who's Bengali (I'm not). He thinks that the book is trying to portray Bengali's as illiterate and ignorant "peasants". I disagree, I think that it's just Channu's point of view, which is completely hypocritical anyway. Apparently they burnt the book in Brick Lane. I love the real Brick Lane, I work around the corner at The Royal London Hospital and so it all feels special to me. I'm really enjoying the book.