Saffron Dreams (Reflections of America)

Saffron Dreams had been on my to-read list , and somehow, coincidentally I managed to get to it on September 11. It is the story of Arissa Ilahi, a Pakistani girl who deals with the shocking loss of her husband on the morning of 9/11. Arissa's character, (although unconventionally modern for a Muslim girl raised in Pakistan) is so real, I felt as though she was a close friend suffering through pain of great intensity. Volumes of books have been written about losing the love of one's life, but this is so articulately written, it feels much more like a memoir than fiction. Some readers have questioned this style of writing, oscillating between the present and flashback, but I actually found it uniquely absorbing, and it worked very well for me. The way she allows her thoughts to drift into different parts of her past, not only brings reality to her grief, but also brings an occasional smile to the reader's lips despite the tragedy engraved in the story, as the blissful moments are recounted. The marriage was heavenly, but it wasn't perfect, inundated with arguments between husband and wife, which made it all the more believable.Being a Pakistani Muslim in America myself, the 9/11 tragedy and its aftermath has had a profound effect on me, and I really admire Shaila's portrayal of those sentiments that terror has no religion. The challenges she faces raising her special needs child without his father is heartbreaking and well depicted. The selflessness of her mother-in-law is truly inspiring.Shaila has used language that has the soft and abstract quality of poetry, while preserving the clarity of prose.It is the kind of book that is not only hard to put down, but one that stays with you after you have done so. After reading Saffron Dreams, I will be more grateful to have the blessings which one tends to take for granted:the companionship of my husband, and the health and well-being of my two-year old son.

Had to read it for school, but ended up enjoying the book actually. Not a bad read.

The writing is very good, as is the story, but the structure is a hindrance. she switches topics and time periods within the same paragraph, at times, and without any warning. It is distracting and aggravating. Had I not enjoyed her writing and the subject so much, I would have put this book down within the first 50 pages.

I felt like I was part of the family - I cared about all of these characters. My experience has been one of every dozen books or so that I read is truly satisfying. Saffron Dreams is that winner that satisifes and was worth every minute of my time reading. Thank you Shaila Abdullah! You restore my hope for good literature written by modern writers.

Saffron Dreams reads like an autobiography. Actually, I was convinced it WAS an autobiography until I read the Author Page. Arissa's family is so fascinating, I thought they couldn't be anything but real. The glimpses of her life in Pakistan are informative glimpses into a society we know little about, and the grief is real. I do not really feel qualified to comment on the grief.

The delivery was quick and before the time indicated. I bought this book to read for my local book club. I have not read it at this time, but I hope that it will be interesting.

9/11. I remember it well.We've heard all of the stories. Friend. Family. Co-workers. Children. Police. Fire Fighters. EMT. Other rescue units. Someone knew someone who knew someone.But can you imagine what it must have been like to be an American Muslim in this time?Not only an American Muslim, but a woman at that.Shaila Abdulla tells the story of her character loosing her husband on the terrible attack on American on Septermber 11. She shares not only the wonderful relationship she and her husband shared, but what it was like for her to deal with her loss.We live in a world of anger and blame. We live in a world where we cannot coexist. We try. We make due. But we are quick to pass judgement and even quicker to lay blame. We stereotype. We judge.Shaila puts it all out there, telling readers what has been like for her, as a Muslim woman to have to deal with the meanness of others after the terrorist attacks. She was judged. She was ridiculed. And through it all, she had to stay strong. To me her tale is somewhat fictional, somewhat non.I don't know how she did it. I don't know how any Muslim American handled their selves after that. I watched the series American Muslim on TLC last year. I never knew Dearborn, MI (right in my backyard) had the highest population of Muslim in the United States. I have done research papers for my undgergrad and grad degree on various aspects of the Muslim culture and religion. When I went to college on-campus at Oklahoma State, it was not uncommon for me to share the classroom with students from all over the world. We were one of the largest international student exchange hosts and programs in the United States. So, when I see hate crimes based on religion, it really makes me angry.I wish everyone would take the time to understand we are ALL human. We all hurt and feel pain. And just because we share the same beliefs as someone who has done terrible acts, we are NOT the same as them.

Shaila Abdullah’s words, phrases, are shear poetry. Through your descriptive words, I have a deeper appreciation of the pain inflicted on all of our citizens, including Muslim citizens, on that day, on 9/11, the blow to my country, the United States, that I love. Thank you for the words, the beads you strung to together. Please write more. Your words are powerful, visual, emotional.

I am an American Muslim, who used to live In Jackson Heights, NY and I also have a child with Charge Syndrome, which is why I bought this book. I found it inaccurate in so many places that I am not going to list all of them. I felt insulted about how Muslims were portrayed in this novel, and I could not relate to the protagonist's experience where the grief over her late husband made the incomprehensibly traumatic experience of having a child with CHARGE sound like a piece of cake. I dont know many single mothers of severly disabled children who worry about finishing a novel. Believe me, there are life and death decisions to worry about, let alone total exhaustion from providing nursing care 24/7. I wish the author had spoken to more parents of people with CHARGE before choosing such a rare condition as an element in her story and I also wish she had not portrayed veiled Muslim women the way she did. It's not the worst book to read on a rainy sunday if you are really bored, but it surely does not give you true insights into the lives of Muslims in NY, or parents of severely disabled children.