THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

Akeela Hayder Green was born in Manchester, England, during the 1980's.  Green, one of three siblings, lived with her father, an Iraqi national, and her English born, mother.  Akeela, named for her father’s mother, writes of her childhood, spoiled by her Westernized father, but ignored by her self-absorbed mother.

At fourteen, Akeela Green's father decides she should spend time in Iraq.  Ignoring her mother’s warnings to travel to Iraq, Akeela agrees to a visit. 

Once in Iraq, Akeela is largely ignored by her father’s family who treat her as an outsider, except for her father’s brother, who takes an overly zealous interest in her.  The family home houses several families, making privacy scarce; as water is a luxury, hygiene becomes difficult.    

Akeela learns of her father’s plans for her marriage, when told the truth by female relatives.  Akeela, admonished by her aunts that she would be blamed for her uncle’s advances, marries Firaz, a man ten years her senior whom she does not want to marry.   Some weeks later, after two years in Iraq, Akeela is told she and her husband will depart for England.  Once in England, Akeela makes drastic changes in her life.

 

The author’s story is detailed and graphic.  The book is co-authored by Michael Minkoff Jr.