Book Review: What Will People Think? by Sadia Hamdan
When I first stumbled upon What Will People Think?, I felt an immediate connection to its premise. As someone who has always admired the courage it takes to step into the spotlight, the idea of a character like Mia, who balances her professional life with a hidden passion for stand-up comedy, resonated deeply. Author Sadia Hamdan intricately weaves a narrative that brilliantly tackles both identity and the often heavy chains of expectation, making this book not just a story, but an experience.
Mia, our protagonist, leads a life framed by her traditional Arab grandparents’ values. By day, she’s entrenched in the seriousness of her job as a fact-checker for a New York City publication, a role that garners admiration from her family. However, once night falls, she sheds her conventional skin and takes to the stage, letting her humor flow free as a stand-up comedian. This duality in her life beautifully encapsulates the inner conflicts many of us face—who we are under societal expectations versus who we truly are when no one is watching.
What struck me most is how Hamdan navigates the themes of immigration, racism, and self-discovery in a narrative that balances both humor and profound heartache. The story does take its time to unfold, which I initially found a bit slow, but once Mia’s worlds started colliding, I was captivated. Hamdan exhibits a masterful touch in creating vivid portraits of Mia’s life, complete with the warmth and richness of her grandparents’ legacy. Their tender love and protective instincts resonate throughout the pages, grounding Mia’s more daring aspirations.
A particularly touching aspect of the novel is the dual timeline that Hamdan employs, intertwining Mia’s present with excerpts from her grandmother’s journal set in 1940s Palestine. This narrative technique not only enriches the story but also emphasizes the unbreakable bonds of family and the weight of history. As the pages turned, I found myself reflecting on my own values and what it means to embrace one’s heritage.
Hamdan’s prose is nothing short of breathtaking. Whether it’s depicting the tumultuous landscape of 1940s Palestine or the bustling streets of modern-day New York, she crafts imagery that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. Quotes like Mia’s realization, “The stage is my heart laid bare, unfiltered,” left an indelible mark on me and encapsulated the very essence of her journey.
I would wholeheartedly recommend What Will People Think? to anyone who enjoys richly layered stories about personal growth against the backdrop of cultural heritage. If you appreciate novels that embrace the nuances of identity while retaining a hopeful outlook, this book is a must-read. It is as much a narrative about finding one’s voice as it is about the enduring ties that bind families together.
Having spent time with Mia and her family, I emerged with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of self-identity and the bonds that mold us. This novel reminded me of the bravery it takes to stand up—not just on stage, but in life—and the importance of embracing all facets of who we are. What a ride it was, indeed!