'26 January - theme: finish an abandoned book
Brick Lane by Monica Ali
Another year, another abandoned book.
Finally an update from last year: last month I visited Wilby and did indeed go and visit the "pig-ones" as promised last January when I read MaddAdam.
I started this book when I was working in Bethnal Green in the East End of London around 10 years ago. A true abandoned book. I thought it might help me gain an insight into the community I was working in, and it would have if I had finished it.
An insightful and honest look at London from a little seen perspective of a Muslim woman, this book was at times funny but what a slow burn. I am glad I (eventually) made it through the more monotonous parts to the end as it was a fascinating study of people, personality, religion, culture, duty and freedom.
As the two daughters in the story aged, I could see them in my memories of the primary school girls I taught in London. I wish I could go back and tell myself to just read it now! To tell myself that this book could inform me on the private lives of my students and give me insight into how they understand the world and their place in. Which is so very different from my own, despite living in the same place, and even more different still to that of my childhood.