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Painted Hands
Muslim bad girl Zainab Mir has just landed a job working for a post-feminist, Republican Senate candidate. Her best friend Amra Abbas is about to make partner at a top Boston law firm. Together they’ve thwarted proposal-slinging aunties, cultural expectations, and the occasional bigot to succeed in their careers. What they didn’t count on? Unlikely men and geopolitical firestorms.
When a handsome childhood friend reappears, Amra makes choices that Zainab considers so 1950s—choices that involve the perfect Banarasi silk dress and a four-bedroom house in the suburbs. After hiding her long work hours during their courtship, Amra struggles to balance her demanding job and her unexpectedly traditional new husband.
Zainab has her own problems. She generates controversy in the Muslim community with a suggestive magazine spread and friendship with a gay reporter. Her rising profile also inflames neocons like Chase Holland, the talk radio host who attacks her religion publicly but privately falls for her hard. When the political fallout from a terrorist attempt jeopardizes Zainab's job and protests surrounding a woman-led Muslim prayer service lead to violence, Amra and Zainab must decide what they’re willing to risk for their principles, their friendship, and love.
When a handsome childhood friend reappears, Amra makes choices that Zainab considers so 1950s—choices that involve the perfect Banarasi silk dress and a four-bedroom house in the suburbs. After hiding her long work hours during their courtship, Amra struggles to balance her demanding job and her unexpectedly traditional new husband.
Zainab has her own problems. She generates controversy in the Muslim community with a suggestive magazine spread and friendship with a gay reporter. Her rising profile also inflames neocons like Chase Holland, the talk radio host who attacks her religion publicly but privately falls for her hard. When the political fallout from a terrorist attempt jeopardizes Zainab's job and protests surrounding a woman-led Muslim prayer service lead to violence, Amra and Zainab must decide what they’re willing to risk for their principles, their friendship, and love.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2013
12 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Zobair
2 books35 followersAfter growing up in the Midwest, Jennifer Zobair headed east to attend Smith College and Georgetown Law School. She has practiced corporate and immigration law in New York and Michigan, and has been a strong advocate for Muslim women’s rights. She is married to a fellow Georgetown Law graduate who happens to be Pakistani-American, which means she knows her cumin from her coriander and that the dry cleaner is lying when he says he can remove that big blob of henna from your favorite white pants. She lives with her husband and three children in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 10, 2013
I'm not gonna lie. Despite having an online connection to the author, and a sense of duty as a fellow author and cyber friend to read PAINTED HANDS, I wasn't really looking forward to it. I couldn't imagine myself connecting with the characters or the plot. The struggles of American Muslim women simply was not on my radar as a big hairy Texan. I certainly do not consider myself bigoted or narrow minded but WOW did this novel open my eyes. I held far more stereo types that I care to admit, not out of any type of prejudice but by sheer ignorance. Ms. Zobair painted the characters and their world in such vivid detail I easily related to the characters. I should know by know people are people. We all have the same emotions, motivations, and desires regardless of religion, skin color, and economic background, and yet this novel engrossed me and took me by surprise. The writing and pacing is flawless and the character development and growth spot on. The multi POVS lent me as the reader a variety of angles and painted a complete and varied picture. I'm ashamed at my reluctance to start this book but ever so happy I read PAINTED HANDS as it is the best thing I've read in a long while.
June 20, 2013
I gulped up this page turner of a book which grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go until the very end. There is really just not enough literature out there that lets you into the world and thinking of Muslim-American people. This is the kind of book that starts conversations and dialogues which is why I call it literature. It touches all the button points of the fear and and hate issues that rise from Islamic faith and terrorism in America, and what it is like to be a Muslim-American living in a culture that is so whooped up by these fears. But it doesn't do so in a nail driving the point home kind of manner, it does it through personal relationships with highly compelling and 3 dimensional characters that I found very easy to relate to. I found the writing style to be flawless and wonderfully entertaining, and I found myself emotionally involved in a gripping manner. You can read other reviews to get a more thorough gist of the plot, but I don't think an explanation of the plot does justice to the deeper zeitgeist this work embodies. You just have to read it, and then have someone else read it so you can talk about it with them.
July 18, 2021
One of the stories in the Good Immigrant was about how POC children in the writer’s class could not even imagine making stories with their own names and background, even though stories are just as wild as our imagination can go and they could be about anything or anyone but it was drilled into their childish brains that only johns and bills and Mary Janes can have a voice, not just as heroes but even as day to day characters going about their lives.
I think about my own experience as a wanna be writer and as an avid reader, how every book I pick up whether it be romance or comedy, history or politics, is inundated with Roman or European names, and none of my own. How it is hard for me to write MY story one day, thinking no one will ever be interested in POC personas. This is almost the nightmare of women not having a voice all through the history, so much so that most heroines are written by men.
This was an intra library loan and I was so happy to pick up my copy, a few days after I requested it, albeit sad that my own library did not even hold one copy of this book.
And oh my! The sizzling romance, the “exotic” names (sarcasm intended), the different backgrounds and all of real people with real lives and real jobs. Living in their world facing real life challenges, experiencing real relationships, and not some “other” and “othered” version of life that is seen in so many of the publications, always seen through the lens of the normal people.
I couldn’t put it down. It was flowing page after page and I could feel the weight of every decision and every let down or joy, for characters, which made me yell out in frustration on more than one occasion: “why, why is she doing that?”
More of this please!
I think about my own experience as a wanna be writer and as an avid reader, how every book I pick up whether it be romance or comedy, history or politics, is inundated with Roman or European names, and none of my own. How it is hard for me to write MY story one day, thinking no one will ever be interested in POC personas. This is almost the nightmare of women not having a voice all through the history, so much so that most heroines are written by men.
This was an intra library loan and I was so happy to pick up my copy, a few days after I requested it, albeit sad that my own library did not even hold one copy of this book.
And oh my! The sizzling romance, the “exotic” names (sarcasm intended), the different backgrounds and all of real people with real lives and real jobs. Living in their world facing real life challenges, experiencing real relationships, and not some “other” and “othered” version of life that is seen in so many of the publications, always seen through the lens of the normal people.
I couldn’t put it down. It was flowing page after page and I could feel the weight of every decision and every let down or joy, for characters, which made me yell out in frustration on more than one occasion: “why, why is she doing that?”
More of this please!
June 21, 2013
Kat's Review
Let's cut to the chase: I Loved This Book. Period.
What? You want more? FINE.
This author wrote a novel that should be a simple story depicting the lives of several women who struggle to make the choices that are right for them despite the cultural and religious expectations of family and friends. However, with the tense relations between many Muslim and non-Muslim Americans still so prevalent today, this really is a brave story showing the struggles that Muslim women face both from within the Muslim community and from society at large. I love that this isn't a one size fits all approach, or an attempt to paint all Muslims with a single brush.
At first I was concerned that the women were going to be one dimensional in their differences. Zainab, who is for the most part a secular American woman, working in politics and eschewing any talk of domesticity, and Amra, who is a high powered lawyer but falls for a childhood crush and trades everything in for domesticity and a house in the suburbs. Instead, the novel delves into the nuances of each woman's choices, showing in unflinching detail the conflict and compromise each makes along the way. Although Zainab and Amra are the two main characters, there is a strong supporting cast of characters, from the white female office worker who falls for a Muslim man and then coverts to a particularly strict form of Islam when he leaves her, to Amra's new husband, struggling to understand Amra's dedication to her job and questioning her dedication to him, to Chase Holland, who vilifies Muslims for a living but finds himself in love with one against all odds.
I'm sure there will be people who will criticize the portrayal of Islam in this book, claiming that the author simplified this or glossed over that, but I disagree. There's not one face of Islam, not one way that people worship, for right or for wrong. Within every culture and every religion people live their lives in a multitude of ways, reconciling their faith (or lack thereof) with their day to day choices. That, for me, is what this book is really about. Recognizing that there is that diversity within the Muslim community, and that each path followed has its own set of outcomes. Hopefully, people can approach this as what it is- a wonderful work of fiction with well-drawn characters and a realistic plot that gets people thinking, regardless of where their beliefs lie.
Rating: All-Consuming
Did I mention that I loved this book? No? Go get it. It's worth every cent you'll pay. I got an advanced ebook copy of it, but with that gorgeous cover, I'll be buying a hardcover copy to keep.
I received a copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
Let's cut to the chase: I Loved This Book. Period.
What? You want more? FINE.
This author wrote a novel that should be a simple story depicting the lives of several women who struggle to make the choices that are right for them despite the cultural and religious expectations of family and friends. However, with the tense relations between many Muslim and non-Muslim Americans still so prevalent today, this really is a brave story showing the struggles that Muslim women face both from within the Muslim community and from society at large. I love that this isn't a one size fits all approach, or an attempt to paint all Muslims with a single brush.
At first I was concerned that the women were going to be one dimensional in their differences. Zainab, who is for the most part a secular American woman, working in politics and eschewing any talk of domesticity, and Amra, who is a high powered lawyer but falls for a childhood crush and trades everything in for domesticity and a house in the suburbs. Instead, the novel delves into the nuances of each woman's choices, showing in unflinching detail the conflict and compromise each makes along the way. Although Zainab and Amra are the two main characters, there is a strong supporting cast of characters, from the white female office worker who falls for a Muslim man and then coverts to a particularly strict form of Islam when he leaves her, to Amra's new husband, struggling to understand Amra's dedication to her job and questioning her dedication to him, to Chase Holland, who vilifies Muslims for a living but finds himself in love with one against all odds.
I'm sure there will be people who will criticize the portrayal of Islam in this book, claiming that the author simplified this or glossed over that, but I disagree. There's not one face of Islam, not one way that people worship, for right or for wrong. Within every culture and every religion people live their lives in a multitude of ways, reconciling their faith (or lack thereof) with their day to day choices. That, for me, is what this book is really about. Recognizing that there is that diversity within the Muslim community, and that each path followed has its own set of outcomes. Hopefully, people can approach this as what it is- a wonderful work of fiction with well-drawn characters and a realistic plot that gets people thinking, regardless of where their beliefs lie.
Rating: All-Consuming
Did I mention that I loved this book? No? Go get it. It's worth every cent you'll pay. I got an advanced ebook copy of it, but with that gorgeous cover, I'll be buying a hardcover copy to keep.
I received a copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
September 19, 2013
"Painted Hands" is the story of two very different women. Both are Muslim Americans and although Amna and Zainab have grown up as best friends but now they are on very different paths. This is a fascinating story of friendship and culture and trying to find one's place in the world. I really enjoyed this book!
I was drawn into this story of friendship from the very beginning. Amna and Zainab were so fascinating to me. They both came from similar environments but they change into such different people. I really liked the unique voice that the author created for each of them. I thought the author did a really good job of showing us where each character was coming from. The writing was great and really drew me in.
I absolutely love books that can introduce me to new places and new cultures. In "Painted Hands," it's a new culture that had me riveted. I love reading about people who have very different lives than my own. The cool thing about people with different lives is that we are still all human and therefore, we can still find some common ground. You get an intimate glimpse into the worlds of the characters.
Overall, this was a great story!
I was drawn into this story of friendship from the very beginning. Amna and Zainab were so fascinating to me. They both came from similar environments but they change into such different people. I really liked the unique voice that the author created for each of them. I thought the author did a really good job of showing us where each character was coming from. The writing was great and really drew me in.
I absolutely love books that can introduce me to new places and new cultures. In "Painted Hands," it's a new culture that had me riveted. I love reading about people who have very different lives than my own. The cool thing about people with different lives is that we are still all human and therefore, we can still find some common ground. You get an intimate glimpse into the worlds of the characters.
Overall, this was a great story!
September 25, 2013
When I was in high school I read everything Allen Drury had written up to that point. Many of them had written before I was even born, so they were a bit dated, but they gave me a love of political fiction that remains to this day, and probably explains my lingering obsession with The West Wing as well. It is this love that was the main reason I accepted TLC’s offer to read and review Jennifer Zobair’s first novel Painted Hands.
I started reading the book a few days ago, and I’ll confess to being a bit worried that I’d have to read a ton of neo-con propaganda when I noticed the bit about the lead character, Zainab, working for a Republican politician. My fears were quickly quelled, but I didn’t have a chance to really absorb the book until yesterday, when I planted myself at my kitchen table with a pot of coffee, one too many English muffins, and NPR playing on the radio. (In fact it was a program featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talking about why having a single story is a bad thing – and it was the perfect complement to Zobair’s book.)
The practical upshot of all this: Painted Hands is one of the best books I’ve read all year. All of the women – Zainab, and her best friend Amra, especially, but also Rukan – feel like the sort of women you might run into if you live and work in a major city. They are three-dimensional, and may share common religious roots, but are distinctly different women, as they should be. Amra’s anglo friend/colleague Hayden is as well-developed as the others, and her story, too, is compelling. Likewise, the men in the story are all fully-formed. Chase, the right-wing radio personality and Mateen, the childhood crush turned potential love interest are complex, each with their own desires and flaws.
On the NPR show this morning, the creators of Toy Story said that one of the first rules of storytelling is to make the reader/viewer care. Jennifer Zobair did this with every character she created. Even with the characters I didn’t like, I still wanted to know what their story was, and whether it would end well.
More than just making me care about her characters, however, Zobair’s writing let me glimpse a culture other than my own. Spending my formative years with just my mother, and growing up in a liberal family where the ultimate dinner table whining would be an accusatory, “But MOM! He made a Sexist Statement!!!” the whole notion of HAVING to get married is as foreign to me as putting cheddar cheese on pizza was the first time I encountered it in California, and I’ve never had to live with proscriptions against any kind of clothing or makeup (except blue eyeshadow, but that really should be illegal in most cases anyway).
In Painted Hands, however, we get to see the way Islam is practiced in a variety of American families, and what it means to have one foot in the modern world and another in a conservative religious tradition. As someone who wasn’t raised in any particular religion (we are culturally Catholic, attended the UU church on and off, and, as an adult, my Baptist husband met me half-way and we’re Episcopalian), getting a peek into any spiritual practice is fascinating to me.
I’m very fortunate to have a circle of friends and acquaintances from many countries, cultures, and religions; for those who don’t, or even if they do, Painted Hands is an excellent introduction to Muslim-American culture, wrapped in a great story.
Goes well with… a really good korma (I like chicken, but vegetarian is good) and iced mint tea.
I started reading the book a few days ago, and I’ll confess to being a bit worried that I’d have to read a ton of neo-con propaganda when I noticed the bit about the lead character, Zainab, working for a Republican politician. My fears were quickly quelled, but I didn’t have a chance to really absorb the book until yesterday, when I planted myself at my kitchen table with a pot of coffee, one too many English muffins, and NPR playing on the radio. (In fact it was a program featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talking about why having a single story is a bad thing – and it was the perfect complement to Zobair’s book.)
The practical upshot of all this: Painted Hands is one of the best books I’ve read all year. All of the women – Zainab, and her best friend Amra, especially, but also Rukan – feel like the sort of women you might run into if you live and work in a major city. They are three-dimensional, and may share common religious roots, but are distinctly different women, as they should be. Amra’s anglo friend/colleague Hayden is as well-developed as the others, and her story, too, is compelling. Likewise, the men in the story are all fully-formed. Chase, the right-wing radio personality and Mateen, the childhood crush turned potential love interest are complex, each with their own desires and flaws.
On the NPR show this morning, the creators of Toy Story said that one of the first rules of storytelling is to make the reader/viewer care. Jennifer Zobair did this with every character she created. Even with the characters I didn’t like, I still wanted to know what their story was, and whether it would end well.
More than just making me care about her characters, however, Zobair’s writing let me glimpse a culture other than my own. Spending my formative years with just my mother, and growing up in a liberal family where the ultimate dinner table whining would be an accusatory, “But MOM! He made a Sexist Statement!!!” the whole notion of HAVING to get married is as foreign to me as putting cheddar cheese on pizza was the first time I encountered it in California, and I’ve never had to live with proscriptions against any kind of clothing or makeup (except blue eyeshadow, but that really should be illegal in most cases anyway).
In Painted Hands, however, we get to see the way Islam is practiced in a variety of American families, and what it means to have one foot in the modern world and another in a conservative religious tradition. As someone who wasn’t raised in any particular religion (we are culturally Catholic, attended the UU church on and off, and, as an adult, my Baptist husband met me half-way and we’re Episcopalian), getting a peek into any spiritual practice is fascinating to me.
I’m very fortunate to have a circle of friends and acquaintances from many countries, cultures, and religions; for those who don’t, or even if they do, Painted Hands is an excellent introduction to Muslim-American culture, wrapped in a great story.
Goes well with… a really good korma (I like chicken, but vegetarian is good) and iced mint tea.
February 21, 2016
I want to quote the whole book. Jennifer Zobair's Painted Hands, as well as a squee-worthy, page-turning chick-lit about two Pakistani-American women managing love and careers, Painted Hands is also an incisive, honest, but compassionate look at the lives of modern Muslim men and women. In Amra, Zainab, and their friends, Zobair manages to convey a myriad of viewpoints and issues in the Muslim community.
It requires a specific type of author to approach this subject, an author quite self-aware and socially intelligent in order to examine her own biases and see Muslims as fully-fleshed, heterogeneous people, as well as familiarity with- no, love for Muslims. I say this because some Muslims make it easy to generalize and almost match certain stereotypes. Zobair doesn't jump on the self-hating, jingoistic, 'Merica! bandwagon, but neither does she abide the cowardly, finger-pointing lack of self-examination where some prefer to blame "the West" and plunge their heads into the sand rather than care about women or entertain any questions about tradition or the status quo.
But this is not a textbook. Zobair avoids the land mines in these discussions by letting her characters' stories and lives speak for themselves. There's no debating reality. Zainab and Amra could be real women, they're that realistic, and in them we see the outcome, the effects, of certain, unquestioned beliefs when they're played to their natural conclusion, where many don't think that far. If the effect is unquestionably wrong, can the belief still be justified? Zobair lets audiences draw their own conclusions with characters across a religious spectrum, liberal, conservative, etc. She doesn't dehumanize any of them. I'm very abstract here, but Zobair demonstrates many times, without her characters spewing sound bytes, where religion and the realities of life conflict or don't. (I'll try and add them to this review later.) Zobair actually knows their lives, as opposed to the many Muslim men and non-Muslim men and women who've written about Muslim women- or chosen to ignore them except as justification for violence, apparently. I was nodding my head so often.
She does much better justice to this subject than many Muslim or non-Muslim novelists and screenwriters, where Muslims are written as they are "supposed" to be, according to the ideals of some Muslims or according to the lessons in a World Religions 101 course, rather than a reflection of actual people and investigating relevant questions, as literature or art does. (Except for Quantico. Watch it!) Questions like, what's a Muslim woman supposed to be?
So, in sum, if you want to see the dilemmas relevant to modern Muslim women that aren't caricatures and are actually approaching reality, if you like a mishmash of social issues, chick-lit and politics -because Zainab is a campaign staffer- read this now.
It requires a specific type of author to approach this subject, an author quite self-aware and socially intelligent in order to examine her own biases and see Muslims as fully-fleshed, heterogeneous people, as well as familiarity with- no, love for Muslims. I say this because some Muslims make it easy to generalize and almost match certain stereotypes. Zobair doesn't jump on the self-hating, jingoistic, 'Merica! bandwagon, but neither does she abide the cowardly, finger-pointing lack of self-examination where some prefer to blame "the West" and plunge their heads into the sand rather than care about women or entertain any questions about tradition or the status quo.
But this is not a textbook. Zobair avoids the land mines in these discussions by letting her characters' stories and lives speak for themselves. There's no debating reality. Zainab and Amra could be real women, they're that realistic, and in them we see the outcome, the effects, of certain, unquestioned beliefs when they're played to their natural conclusion, where many don't think that far. If the effect is unquestionably wrong, can the belief still be justified? Zobair lets audiences draw their own conclusions with characters across a religious spectrum, liberal, conservative, etc. She doesn't dehumanize any of them. I'm very abstract here, but Zobair demonstrates many times, without her characters spewing sound bytes, where religion and the realities of life conflict or don't. (I'll try and add them to this review later.) Zobair actually knows their lives, as opposed to the many Muslim men and non-Muslim men and women who've written about Muslim women- or chosen to ignore them except as justification for violence, apparently. I was nodding my head so often.
She does much better justice to this subject than many Muslim or non-Muslim novelists and screenwriters, where Muslims are written as they are "supposed" to be, according to the ideals of some Muslims or according to the lessons in a World Religions 101 course, rather than a reflection of actual people and investigating relevant questions, as literature or art does. (Except for Quantico. Watch it!) Questions like, what's a Muslim woman supposed to be?
So, in sum, if you want to see the dilemmas relevant to modern Muslim women that aren't caricatures and are actually approaching reality, if you like a mishmash of social issues, chick-lit and politics -because Zainab is a campaign staffer- read this now.
June 2, 2013
Jennifer Zobair, in PAINTED HANDS, creates a cast of characters that give a fascinating look at Muslim-American culture. Within her story about navigating love and life while balancing Muslim religious and cultural beliefs with an American way of life, Zobair provides an array of characters covering the spectrum between devout followers of Islam and those who reject the beliefs of family and childhood.
The story follows a group of friends for more than a year as they juggle careers, political differences, the trials and tribulations of love and prejudice. Setting aside for a moment that the characters are Muslim, Zobair easily captures the conflict all women face between the desire to be true to themselves and their own beliefs and the pain we feel when we reject the desires and expectations of family and friends. Layered on top of that is the heavy blanket of cultural responsibility and the judgment of a community that expects you to support its long-standing traditions whether they are good for you or not. Or good for society as a whole.
PAINTED HANDS can be read simply as a story about women facing these issues, or it can be read on a deeper level with an exploration of Muslim-American culture and the politics of being Muslim in America. I enjoyed getting insights into a world I’ve had little exposure to and also think Zobair does a fantastic job of illustrating how, when you strip everything else away, we are all just human beings, the same as each other, trying to find our own happy place in the world.
(To enhance your reading experience, check out the book club questions at Ms. Zobair's site. Some great thought-provoking questions!)
The story follows a group of friends for more than a year as they juggle careers, political differences, the trials and tribulations of love and prejudice. Setting aside for a moment that the characters are Muslim, Zobair easily captures the conflict all women face between the desire to be true to themselves and their own beliefs and the pain we feel when we reject the desires and expectations of family and friends. Layered on top of that is the heavy blanket of cultural responsibility and the judgment of a community that expects you to support its long-standing traditions whether they are good for you or not. Or good for society as a whole.
PAINTED HANDS can be read simply as a story about women facing these issues, or it can be read on a deeper level with an exploration of Muslim-American culture and the politics of being Muslim in America. I enjoyed getting insights into a world I’ve had little exposure to and also think Zobair does a fantastic job of illustrating how, when you strip everything else away, we are all just human beings, the same as each other, trying to find our own happy place in the world.
(To enhance your reading experience, check out the book club questions at Ms. Zobair's site. Some great thought-provoking questions!)
March 25, 2014
Painted Hands by Jennifer Zobair is the engaging, twisting narrative of an unlikely set of characters: Zainab Mir, the high-powered glamorous head of a Republican political campaign; Amra Abbas, workaholic lawyer who puts in brutal hours in the hopes that she’ll make it to partner of the firm; Hayden Palmer, fellow lawyer, party girl and unlucky in love; and Chase Holland, radio show host and golden boy for bigoted neo-cons.
Painted Hands falls somewhere between the categories of ethnic fiction and Muslim chick-lit; yet such a characterisation does not give justice to the story’s ability to draw the reader in and impart lessons so subtly that it takes a moment to even realise it.
There’s something for everyone in the narrative– Zainab is unabashedly secular, yet her brief brush with members of a local masjid reveals the hurt she feels at having herself, her work and even her sexuality openly judged and condemned by those who know nothing about her. Amra is both relieved and afraid to get married, in love with her fiancé but unable to confess the extent of her obsession with work; and, later, when she becomes a mother, struggles to know what she wants in comparison to the pressures of those around her. Chase Holland makes his living bashing Islam and Muslims, but finds that his bluster is harder to keep up around Zainab’s fiery challenges. Hayden takes her shahadah (declaration of faith) and is drawn into a circle of conservative immigrants, who briskly arrange her marriage and prod her into their own type of activism.
The series of events that brings them together in the most unlikely of conflicts is a fascinating journey that culminates in an intriguing, unexpected crescendo that is as poetic as it is dramatic.
The weaving of every thread of the narrative echoes the complexity and beauty of the henna patterns that the book is named after. Politics, culture, religion and romance are entwined and explored; the relationships between the characters and their struggles link to each other subtly yet meaningfully. No conflict is over-simplified or glossed over and although the book – and its main characters – are distinctly liberal, there is enough nuance and honesty in it that it can truly appeal to a wide and varied audience.
Although the characters are fictional, their stories are reflections of reality. Muslim women come from backgrounds as varied as
those of Zainab, Amra and Hayden and have lives that are just as complex and rich as theirs. Painted Hands is both an acknowledgement and appreciation of what it means to be a Muslim woman in the modern Western world.
Reviewed by AnonyMouse (Zainab bint Younus)for Issue #52 of SISTERS Magazine.
Painted Hands falls somewhere between the categories of ethnic fiction and Muslim chick-lit; yet such a characterisation does not give justice to the story’s ability to draw the reader in and impart lessons so subtly that it takes a moment to even realise it.
There’s something for everyone in the narrative– Zainab is unabashedly secular, yet her brief brush with members of a local masjid reveals the hurt she feels at having herself, her work and even her sexuality openly judged and condemned by those who know nothing about her. Amra is both relieved and afraid to get married, in love with her fiancé but unable to confess the extent of her obsession with work; and, later, when she becomes a mother, struggles to know what she wants in comparison to the pressures of those around her. Chase Holland makes his living bashing Islam and Muslims, but finds that his bluster is harder to keep up around Zainab’s fiery challenges. Hayden takes her shahadah (declaration of faith) and is drawn into a circle of conservative immigrants, who briskly arrange her marriage and prod her into their own type of activism.
The series of events that brings them together in the most unlikely of conflicts is a fascinating journey that culminates in an intriguing, unexpected crescendo that is as poetic as it is dramatic.
The weaving of every thread of the narrative echoes the complexity and beauty of the henna patterns that the book is named after. Politics, culture, religion and romance are entwined and explored; the relationships between the characters and their struggles link to each other subtly yet meaningfully. No conflict is over-simplified or glossed over and although the book – and its main characters – are distinctly liberal, there is enough nuance and honesty in it that it can truly appeal to a wide and varied audience.
Although the characters are fictional, their stories are reflections of reality. Muslim women come from backgrounds as varied as
those of Zainab, Amra and Hayden and have lives that are just as complex and rich as theirs. Painted Hands is both an acknowledgement and appreciation of what it means to be a Muslim woman in the modern Western world.
Reviewed by AnonyMouse (Zainab bint Younus)for Issue #52 of SISTERS Magazine.
April 23, 2015
As a white, atheist, Irish-American feminist, I am having a hard time analyzing this book. I'm certainly going to try, but what do I do know about Painted Hands is that it is exceedingly well-written, gripping, and thoughtful.
Review to come.
Review to come.
September 7, 2014
I have to be honest and say I hated, absolutely hated the first 100 pages of this book. I with this close to putting in down and writing a negative, truncated review. I thought the first 100 pages of the book relied heavily on prejudiced characters and overwhelming stereotypes. Mostly of westerners/Americans: highly promiscuous women made unhappy by such behavior; sex-obsessed American men focused only on conquering women and not interested in real, deep relationships; and other types it's not necessary to keep listing. I was totally and completely confused about what audience the author was targeting, or attempting to write the story for... since even I, a convert to Islam (and a fellow Georgetown alum, was offended and turned off by the stereotypes she was promoting (i.e. be religious, modest and chaste and it'll solve ALL of your problems).
With that said, the book completely redeems itself in the second half, and especially the last 50 pages. All of the main characters grow more in depth and complexity. They grow more human, more likable and more realistic (although my criticism remains in the first 100 pages, why the author could not have made surrounding/secondary characters less extreme, less stereotypical, I don't know). The author, Jennifer, does a beautiful job showing the complexity of the female Muslim experience --feminist Muslims, Muslim-American women trying to juggle work and family just like American women of all faiths, more traditional Muslims, and yes, even giving voice to extremist fundamentalist Muslims (and their rather warped views). She "unveils" the Muslim community very accurately, showing many of the community's dominating cultural characteristics (i.e. women often being treated as second class citizens in mosques in the US, while outside the mosques they are equal and free and strong). But not just the bad characteristics, the good as well (i.e. beautiful, diverse language, food and clothing; the Rahmah/r-h-m -or sensitivity/embracing traits of women, the kindness of so many Muslim men). She also does a wonderful job of community the Catch-22 of the Muslim community's relationship with terrorism... where the world demands that Muslims constantly denounce Islamic terrorism, despite the fact the Muslims do constantly denounce it, and loudly (such statements simply don't get covered by the news). How Muslims are supposed to "prove" that terrorism is not of Islam, and not of individual Muslims, but that other communities do (and always have) committed similar violence and are not asked to make the same protestations (as a Christian, are you asked to denounce Timothy McVeigh's attack in Oklahoma? Or Christian terrorists in India? Or Christian terrorists in Indonesia? Or the widescale Christian violence/silence of the Holocaust?). How, on an individual level, terrorism has nothing to do with 98% of individual Muslims, and by demanding such protests, it inherently tries to link these individual humans to a violent movement that has NO tie to them.
The best part of the whole book takes place on page 293, when a main character, Zainab, talks about the lonely, isolated position of being a feminist Muslim. Reviled by much of the non-Muslim American community, but also reviled by her own religious community. How non-Muslims connect her to terrorism, of which she has no part, but then Muslims demand she speak up for Islam, when they revile her as not being traditional enough, covered enough, and they, themselves, treat her as a second class citizen. And then the author beautifully answers these criticisms for calling the situation what it is --change, a revolution. And revolutions are always fought by those they aim to upend, by the larger majority, but those that find their power and hegemony challenged. The whole conversation between two women in this part of the book clearly and succinctly sums up the position of many strong, educated, powerful Muslim women and the battle they fight often on a daily basis in their jobs, their communities, their relationships with their neighbors, and yes, in the Muslim community.
My one remaining criticism of the book is that there was not more in the story for one character, May Al-Ansari. She is a hijab-wearing Muslim feminist who is brilliant, compassionate, and yes, for many American (and worldwide) Muslim women, the s-called "ideal." She juggles family and professional success. She is uncompromising a Muslim, unapologetic, and yet unforgiving of the Muslim community's often large-scale backwardness, ignorance, lack of progressive thinking, etc. The book spends a lot of time showing how strong and forward thinking non-hijab (i.e. "westernized Muslims") the three main characters are.. and only introduces May at the end, and as an exception. She's not an exception. I know so many similar such women, women wearing scarves with masters degrees from MIT and Harvard, women traveling the world as international consultants, women doing development agricultural work in Africa and Asia and the Middle East. Having the book's main characters surprised by such a woman, enthralled by such a woman, makes her seem like a "Muslim unicorn," and that's not an accurate portrayal of the fact that such women ARE active in the American Muslim community. With that said, I DO appreciate how the author shows that Muslim women come in all shapes and sizes (i.e. professional, traditional, liberal, conservative, western clothes wearing, scarf wearing, etc., etc.). And that these variations are not an indication of how religious they are, or the levels of their faith, it's simply various descriptions of the women as human beings.
One other critical note: I DO think the author's overall mindset is less writing an enjoyable novel than a structuring a story that attempts to make arguments. I felt like each character was created with a specific stereotype in mind (good and bad), and did specific actions to try and get across the author's various political, religious and philosophical beliefs. The book is rather like a fable, meant as a teaching tool. I think OVERALL this does not detract from the fact that the novel is good, the characters and the story well developed, but it's quite obvious earlier in the book.
With all of this said, I HIGHLY recommend the book (just grit your teeth those first 100 pages) for non-Muslims and Muslims alike. For non-Muslims, it's a great window into the Muslim community in the US, with a focus on Muslim women. And for Muslim women it provides some great characters to enjoy and some good answers to questions regarding the above-mentioned religious Catch-22. I enjoyed it, and will look forward to the author's next book.
With that said, the book completely redeems itself in the second half, and especially the last 50 pages. All of the main characters grow more in depth and complexity. They grow more human, more likable and more realistic (although my criticism remains in the first 100 pages, why the author could not have made surrounding/secondary characters less extreme, less stereotypical, I don't know). The author, Jennifer, does a beautiful job showing the complexity of the female Muslim experience --feminist Muslims, Muslim-American women trying to juggle work and family just like American women of all faiths, more traditional Muslims, and yes, even giving voice to extremist fundamentalist Muslims (and their rather warped views). She "unveils" the Muslim community very accurately, showing many of the community's dominating cultural characteristics (i.e. women often being treated as second class citizens in mosques in the US, while outside the mosques they are equal and free and strong). But not just the bad characteristics, the good as well (i.e. beautiful, diverse language, food and clothing; the Rahmah/r-h-m -or sensitivity/embracing traits of women, the kindness of so many Muslim men). She also does a wonderful job of community the Catch-22 of the Muslim community's relationship with terrorism... where the world demands that Muslims constantly denounce Islamic terrorism, despite the fact the Muslims do constantly denounce it, and loudly (such statements simply don't get covered by the news). How Muslims are supposed to "prove" that terrorism is not of Islam, and not of individual Muslims, but that other communities do (and always have) committed similar violence and are not asked to make the same protestations (as a Christian, are you asked to denounce Timothy McVeigh's attack in Oklahoma? Or Christian terrorists in India? Or Christian terrorists in Indonesia? Or the widescale Christian violence/silence of the Holocaust?). How, on an individual level, terrorism has nothing to do with 98% of individual Muslims, and by demanding such protests, it inherently tries to link these individual humans to a violent movement that has NO tie to them.
The best part of the whole book takes place on page 293, when a main character, Zainab, talks about the lonely, isolated position of being a feminist Muslim. Reviled by much of the non-Muslim American community, but also reviled by her own religious community. How non-Muslims connect her to terrorism, of which she has no part, but then Muslims demand she speak up for Islam, when they revile her as not being traditional enough, covered enough, and they, themselves, treat her as a second class citizen. And then the author beautifully answers these criticisms for calling the situation what it is --change, a revolution. And revolutions are always fought by those they aim to upend, by the larger majority, but those that find their power and hegemony challenged. The whole conversation between two women in this part of the book clearly and succinctly sums up the position of many strong, educated, powerful Muslim women and the battle they fight often on a daily basis in their jobs, their communities, their relationships with their neighbors, and yes, in the Muslim community.
My one remaining criticism of the book is that there was not more in the story for one character, May Al-Ansari. She is a hijab-wearing Muslim feminist who is brilliant, compassionate, and yes, for many American (and worldwide) Muslim women, the s-called "ideal." She juggles family and professional success. She is uncompromising a Muslim, unapologetic, and yet unforgiving of the Muslim community's often large-scale backwardness, ignorance, lack of progressive thinking, etc. The book spends a lot of time showing how strong and forward thinking non-hijab (i.e. "westernized Muslims") the three main characters are.. and only introduces May at the end, and as an exception. She's not an exception. I know so many similar such women, women wearing scarves with masters degrees from MIT and Harvard, women traveling the world as international consultants, women doing development agricultural work in Africa and Asia and the Middle East. Having the book's main characters surprised by such a woman, enthralled by such a woman, makes her seem like a "Muslim unicorn," and that's not an accurate portrayal of the fact that such women ARE active in the American Muslim community. With that said, I DO appreciate how the author shows that Muslim women come in all shapes and sizes (i.e. professional, traditional, liberal, conservative, western clothes wearing, scarf wearing, etc., etc.). And that these variations are not an indication of how religious they are, or the levels of their faith, it's simply various descriptions of the women as human beings.
One other critical note: I DO think the author's overall mindset is less writing an enjoyable novel than a structuring a story that attempts to make arguments. I felt like each character was created with a specific stereotype in mind (good and bad), and did specific actions to try and get across the author's various political, religious and philosophical beliefs. The book is rather like a fable, meant as a teaching tool. I think OVERALL this does not detract from the fact that the novel is good, the characters and the story well developed, but it's quite obvious earlier in the book.
With all of this said, I HIGHLY recommend the book (just grit your teeth those first 100 pages) for non-Muslims and Muslims alike. For non-Muslims, it's a great window into the Muslim community in the US, with a focus on Muslim women. And for Muslim women it provides some great characters to enjoy and some good answers to questions regarding the above-mentioned religious Catch-22. I enjoyed it, and will look forward to the author's next book.
July 17, 2016
Chick-lit Muslim style.
Having suggested this for a multi-cultural book group that I attend, I was initially concerned that it was too much of a chick-lit read. However, as I got more involved in the story, the significance of the Muslim angle became more apparent and the resulting discussion was fascinating.
Two of the main characters, Amra and Mateen, are Muslims from American Pakistani families. Their meeting is orchestrated by their parents, although they had known each other as children. Amra's best friend, also since childhood, is Zainab, assistant to a Republican election candidate, she works long hours like Amra, who is hoping to become the partner in a law firm. Amra's colleague, Hayden, a native American, does not have a Muslim background but decides that Islam will give her the security and support that she feels her life lacks.
This is a story of young people working high powered jobs and trying to juggle work, play and relationships alongside one another. It has added interest in that the issue of their religous upbringing creates additional problems. The backlash of bigoted comments from Chase, a right wing radio broadcaster, and a Muslim led bombing, sends the community spinning off in different directions and Muslims are forced to feel the need to defend themselves against unjust accusations.
One of the members of our discussion group had lived as a Muslim in America and she could vouch for the accuracy of the sentiments expressed in the novel. Living in Dubai, we are used to the various types of arranged marriages and versions thereof, so that came as no surprise, but I was shocked by the extreme anti- Muslim sentiments expressed at times.
The author is herself a convert to Islam, with a Pakistani husband, and I suspect that the character of Hayden might be somewhat autobiographical.
In some ways this book was a bit unconvincing, particularly around the marriage that Hayden embarks on and her ultimate reaction to it. The ending was a bit open, leaving the reader to surmise how each relationship might progress into the future, which was mildly frustrating but did provide another point for discussion.
As the first book for this author, it was well worth the read. Hopefully her future novels will be even better and I shall be looking out for her next publication.
Having suggested this for a multi-cultural book group that I attend, I was initially concerned that it was too much of a chick-lit read. However, as I got more involved in the story, the significance of the Muslim angle became more apparent and the resulting discussion was fascinating.
Two of the main characters, Amra and Mateen, are Muslims from American Pakistani families. Their meeting is orchestrated by their parents, although they had known each other as children. Amra's best friend, also since childhood, is Zainab, assistant to a Republican election candidate, she works long hours like Amra, who is hoping to become the partner in a law firm. Amra's colleague, Hayden, a native American, does not have a Muslim background but decides that Islam will give her the security and support that she feels her life lacks.
This is a story of young people working high powered jobs and trying to juggle work, play and relationships alongside one another. It has added interest in that the issue of their religous upbringing creates additional problems. The backlash of bigoted comments from Chase, a right wing radio broadcaster, and a Muslim led bombing, sends the community spinning off in different directions and Muslims are forced to feel the need to defend themselves against unjust accusations.
One of the members of our discussion group had lived as a Muslim in America and she could vouch for the accuracy of the sentiments expressed in the novel. Living in Dubai, we are used to the various types of arranged marriages and versions thereof, so that came as no surprise, but I was shocked by the extreme anti- Muslim sentiments expressed at times.
The author is herself a convert to Islam, with a Pakistani husband, and I suspect that the character of Hayden might be somewhat autobiographical.
In some ways this book was a bit unconvincing, particularly around the marriage that Hayden embarks on and her ultimate reaction to it. The ending was a bit open, leaving the reader to surmise how each relationship might progress into the future, which was mildly frustrating but did provide another point for discussion.
As the first book for this author, it was well worth the read. Hopefully her future novels will be even better and I shall be looking out for her next publication.
May 30, 2013
In this groundbreaking debut novel, Jennifer Zobair weaves together the friendships, careers, and romantic relationships of three Muslim women, illuminating the points of intersection with nuance, empathy, and a writing voice that shines. PAINTED HANDS is a book for people who love richly drawn characters and tight, riveting storytelling.
As the novel’s heart and soul, Amra has worked years of grueling hours toward achieving her goal of making partner at a prestigious Boston law firm, only to fall hard for Mateen, a childhood acquaintance who may have more traditional expectations for the woman he marries than Amra wants to acknowledge.
Amra’s best friend Zainab is a gorgeous, suffer-no-fools politico spearheading a Massachusetts Senate campaign, whose Islamic faith becomes a convenient target for Chase, the up-and-coming, conservative radio host whose lifelong ambition is checked by his growing attraction to the strangely familiar, and magnetic, Zainab.
Amra’s law firm colleague, Hayden, has become an unlikely convert to Islam after years of being marginalized by men. While her new religion grants her a temporary reprieve from loneliness, Hayden has drifted into a more fundamentalist sect of Islam led by Fareeda, a woman who abhors Muslim feminists like Zainab and is all too eager to shape Hayden’s interpretation of what a “true” Muslim woman should be.
Throughout the novel, Ms. Zobair highlights the Pakistani and Indian practice of women dyeing their hands with henna before the wedding of a family member or friend. Amra and Zainab have maintained a lifelong tradition of embedding their dearest, secret wish somewhere inside this intricate pattern of loops and swirls.
And that’s how reading this book felt: like a beautiful secret unfurling across the pages, drawing me nearer to these smart, vulnerable and very human characters in a story as original as the women it paints, and as universal as the heart’s desires.
With PAINTED HANDS, Ms. Zobair has lit another light for hope and understanding in a fractured world. I highly recommend it.
As the novel’s heart and soul, Amra has worked years of grueling hours toward achieving her goal of making partner at a prestigious Boston law firm, only to fall hard for Mateen, a childhood acquaintance who may have more traditional expectations for the woman he marries than Amra wants to acknowledge.
Amra’s best friend Zainab is a gorgeous, suffer-no-fools politico spearheading a Massachusetts Senate campaign, whose Islamic faith becomes a convenient target for Chase, the up-and-coming, conservative radio host whose lifelong ambition is checked by his growing attraction to the strangely familiar, and magnetic, Zainab.
Amra’s law firm colleague, Hayden, has become an unlikely convert to Islam after years of being marginalized by men. While her new religion grants her a temporary reprieve from loneliness, Hayden has drifted into a more fundamentalist sect of Islam led by Fareeda, a woman who abhors Muslim feminists like Zainab and is all too eager to shape Hayden’s interpretation of what a “true” Muslim woman should be.
Throughout the novel, Ms. Zobair highlights the Pakistani and Indian practice of women dyeing their hands with henna before the wedding of a family member or friend. Amra and Zainab have maintained a lifelong tradition of embedding their dearest, secret wish somewhere inside this intricate pattern of loops and swirls.
And that’s how reading this book felt: like a beautiful secret unfurling across the pages, drawing me nearer to these smart, vulnerable and very human characters in a story as original as the women it paints, and as universal as the heart’s desires.
With PAINTED HANDS, Ms. Zobair has lit another light for hope and understanding in a fractured world. I highly recommend it.
August 18, 2013
This was a beautifully written book about American Muslim women. I was hesitant at the beginning but as the book began to pick up steam I was hooked. She really illustrated the horrible stereotypes of Muslim women and also dispelled them wonderfully in this novel. There was also great character development of the three friends and I loved how each of their stories ended. I learned a lot and look forward to more of the author's writing. Job well done.
P.S. I received the book recommendation from the Smithian tumblr blog.
P.S. I received the book recommendation from the Smithian tumblr blog.
July 28, 2017
This is a flat romance novel dressed up with pretense and a political agenda. For example, you can immediately tell what is going to happen to each female character by the way her looks are initially described. All of the non-Muslim white people are portrayed as jerks.
January 30, 2019
Honestly, I read as an escape from politics and I can't stand feminism. It's too bad since I was looking forward to reading about a different culture but the feminist politics are too much.
September 19, 2022
Such a good book. The author Jennifer Zubair portrayed few human beings struggles. Two struggles i can relate to: the second generation Muslim American kids struggle between religion and the American culture and the struggle of women to choose or compromise career and motherhood. Very well written book and so descriptive. Enjoyed reading it.
April 16, 2017
As seen on my blog:
I began this book under the pretense that the author was a woman of East Indian descent. I was enormously surprised, and in awe, to find out that she is actually an American woman, who chose to convert to Islam in her later years. I am endlessly fascinated by an individual's decision to convert to any one religion, and will have to get an interview with her up here soon. The synopsis boldly compares Painted Hands to The Namesake, and Sex in the City, which are two of my favourite, no, not books, but tv shows/movies. I was seriously interested to read how the two would be married in this book, and what I found was nothing short of spectacular, and spot on in it's comparison.
Painted Hands was a smart, modern, take on age-old religious and political issues. The stigma surrounding Islam, and it's core beliefs, has been one that has affected me personally. I was raised in a Catholic home, but the majority of my extended family, and future in-laws, are of Islamic faith, and I'm constantly baring witness to ignorant comments, and outrageously horrid assumptions about the religion. Painted Hands approached the lifestyle of Islamic families, and individuals, at an interesting, and refreshing, angle. Jennifer Zobair showcased American-Muslims in a modern voice, with highly successful female leads. I loved every, single, second of the fast pace narrative. I have never experienced anything like it, having grown so accostumed to books like The Kite Runner, The Secret Daughter, or The Space Between Us-all narratives that lean heavily on the more strict aspects of Islam, and all take place in countries like India, and Pakistan.
Amra, Zainab, and Rukan grew up in traditional Muslim families, but are living modern, and career driven lives in New York City. As the story line unfolds, the three women are faced with issues of race, family and religious expectations, and at the core, figuring out who they are as people. Their lives were endlessly entertaining, Jennifer Zobair has a talent for making the small moments count. The chapters were short in length, but packed so much detail, it was damn near impossible to put the book down.
I recommend this book for everyone, of every religion, of every belief. If you're curious about Islam, but feel intimidated by the opinions surrounding it, pick up this book. If you enjoy "chick-lit," this book is definitely up your alley as well. Too often religion creates this barrier that people find impossible to break through, or cross, or are just plain scared to venture past, but this book was beautiful in the way it wove a religion in with life, our lives, YOUR life, the life of characters that are INSANELY easy to relate to. I want to thank Jennifer Zobair a million times for this book!
Recommended for Fans of: Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Candace Bushnell, Sophie Kinsella
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*DISCLAIMER* I received this book as a print copy from the publisher, in order to participate in the blog tour
I began this book under the pretense that the author was a woman of East Indian descent. I was enormously surprised, and in awe, to find out that she is actually an American woman, who chose to convert to Islam in her later years. I am endlessly fascinated by an individual's decision to convert to any one religion, and will have to get an interview with her up here soon. The synopsis boldly compares Painted Hands to The Namesake, and Sex in the City, which are two of my favourite, no, not books, but tv shows/movies. I was seriously interested to read how the two would be married in this book, and what I found was nothing short of spectacular, and spot on in it's comparison.
Painted Hands was a smart, modern, take on age-old religious and political issues. The stigma surrounding Islam, and it's core beliefs, has been one that has affected me personally. I was raised in a Catholic home, but the majority of my extended family, and future in-laws, are of Islamic faith, and I'm constantly baring witness to ignorant comments, and outrageously horrid assumptions about the religion. Painted Hands approached the lifestyle of Islamic families, and individuals, at an interesting, and refreshing, angle. Jennifer Zobair showcased American-Muslims in a modern voice, with highly successful female leads. I loved every, single, second of the fast pace narrative. I have never experienced anything like it, having grown so accostumed to books like The Kite Runner, The Secret Daughter, or The Space Between Us-all narratives that lean heavily on the more strict aspects of Islam, and all take place in countries like India, and Pakistan.
Amra, Zainab, and Rukan grew up in traditional Muslim families, but are living modern, and career driven lives in New York City. As the story line unfolds, the three women are faced with issues of race, family and religious expectations, and at the core, figuring out who they are as people. Their lives were endlessly entertaining, Jennifer Zobair has a talent for making the small moments count. The chapters were short in length, but packed so much detail, it was damn near impossible to put the book down.
I recommend this book for everyone, of every religion, of every belief. If you're curious about Islam, but feel intimidated by the opinions surrounding it, pick up this book. If you enjoy "chick-lit," this book is definitely up your alley as well. Too often religion creates this barrier that people find impossible to break through, or cross, or are just plain scared to venture past, but this book was beautiful in the way it wove a religion in with life, our lives, YOUR life, the life of characters that are INSANELY easy to relate to. I want to thank Jennifer Zobair a million times for this book!
Recommended for Fans of: Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Candace Bushnell, Sophie Kinsella
----------
*DISCLAIMER* I received this book as a print copy from the publisher, in order to participate in the blog tour
June 9, 2013
Can I admit that I was dubious?
I read the first chapter of Painted Hands with skepticism fully engaged. Second chapter, too. But somewhere around the third or fourth chapters, Jennifer Zobair’s Painted Hands transformed my doubt into something akin to astonishment. I was reading a book about attractive, accomplished women juggling careers and families and husbands and lovers, and enjoying that book immensely.
I didn’t expect to do so. Sure, Jennifer Zobair’s a friend, and I admire her way with words, but I started Painted Hands hoping — at best — to maybe enjoy a book that was outside my comfort zone.
I ended up loving it — and wondering how in the hell that happened.
It begins with a tight storyline and accomplished storytelling, and then combines several imaginative characters, and a deep, yet gentle immersion into a lovely, colorful and occasionally opaque culture that most of us know too little about.
The plotting in Painted Hands is intricate, but not to worry, for the author keeps the pace brisk and fluid. The story follows the lives of three Muslim women -- Amra, Zainab, and Hayden – during a volatile time in their lives. The stories weave together gracefully, like the gorgeous henna designs lovingly painted on a South Asian bride’s hands on the day she is to marry.
Amra, the book’s sweet center, has worked for years to garner success, and now sits on the cusp of partnership at a prestigious Boston law firm. But when a childhood friend returns to her inner circle as a successful and handsome businessman, she’s not ready for the waves of emotion that engulf her. That he finds her charming, but doesn’t know about the sacrifices she’s made to have a career, is just the beginning of their story. He also carries secrets, including a more traditional view of Islam than she expects.
If Amra is the novel’s sweet center, Zainab brings fire and spice. She’s the book’s most complicated character, and her scenes spark with electricity. She’s working a Massachusett’s election campaign for a smart, but incautious, post-feminist businesswoman who actually answers questions from the media. Zainab must be brilliant and occasionally ruthless to keep pace, and she’s constantly switching play books to keep her candidate in the race. At one point, she turns to a highly-educated — and occasionally racist — right-wing radio host for a favor, and finds that Chase Holland is far more complicated and intriguing than he appeared at first blush.
Hayden is the book’s lost soul, the woman who makes many wrong decisions, and through whose eyes we see a vision of religion as filtered through a fundamentalist prism.
I found so many things to like in Painted Hands. The story is smart and topical, and the characters are richly, and lovingly drawn. I loved seeing Islam through Jennifer’s eyes, and learning more about what it means to be a Muslim in America today. It all works seamlessly because Zobair’s prose is subtle and refined, and so many scenes are touched by nuance that you might very well want to read it again.
April 30, 2018
Painted Hands by Jennifer Zobair is the engaging, twisting narrative of an unlikely set of characters: Zainab Mir, the high-powered glamorous head of a Republican political campaign; Amra Abbas, workaholic lawyer who puts in brutal hours in the hopes that she’ll make it to partner of the firm; Hayden Palmer, fellow lawyer, party girl and unlucky in love; and Chase Holland, radio show host and golden boy for bigoted neo-cons.
Painted Hands falls somewhere between the categories of ethnic fiction and Muslim chick-lit; yet such a characterisation does not give justice to the story’s ability to draw the reader in and impart lessons so subtly that it takes a moment to even realise it.
There’s something for everyone in the narrative– Zainab is unabashedly secular, yet her brief brush with members of a local masjid reveals the hurt she feels at having herself, her work and even her sexuality openly judged and condemned by those who know nothing about her. Amra is both relieved and afraid to get married, in love with her fiancé but unable to confess the extent of her obsession with work; and, later, when she becomes a mother, struggles to know what she wants in comparison to the pressures of those around her. Chase Holland makes his living bashing Islam and Muslims, but finds that his bluster is harder to keep up around Zainab’s fiery challenges. Hayden takes her shahadah (declaration of faith) and is drawn into a circle of conservative immigrants, who briskly arrange her marriage and prod her into their own type of activism.
The series of events that brings them together in the most unlikely of conflicts is a fascinating journey that culminates in an intriguing, unexpected crescendo that is as poetic as it is dramatic.
The weaving of every thread of the narrative echoes the complexity and beauty of the henna patterns that the book is named after. Politics, culture, religion and romance are entwined and explored; the relationships between the characters and their struggles link to each other subtly yet meaningfully. No conflict is over-simplified or glossed over and although the book – and its main characters – are distinctly liberal, there is enough nuance and honesty in it that it can truly appeal to a wide and varied audience.
Although the characters are fictional, their stories are reflections of reality. Muslim women come from backgrounds as varied as those of Zainab, Amra and Hayden and have lives that are just as complex and rich as theirs. Painted Hands is both an acknowledgement and appreciation of what it means to be a Muslim woman in the modern Western world.
Painted Hands falls somewhere between the categories of ethnic fiction and Muslim chick-lit; yet such a characterisation does not give justice to the story’s ability to draw the reader in and impart lessons so subtly that it takes a moment to even realise it.
There’s something for everyone in the narrative– Zainab is unabashedly secular, yet her brief brush with members of a local masjid reveals the hurt she feels at having herself, her work and even her sexuality openly judged and condemned by those who know nothing about her. Amra is both relieved and afraid to get married, in love with her fiancé but unable to confess the extent of her obsession with work; and, later, when she becomes a mother, struggles to know what she wants in comparison to the pressures of those around her. Chase Holland makes his living bashing Islam and Muslims, but finds that his bluster is harder to keep up around Zainab’s fiery challenges. Hayden takes her shahadah (declaration of faith) and is drawn into a circle of conservative immigrants, who briskly arrange her marriage and prod her into their own type of activism.
The series of events that brings them together in the most unlikely of conflicts is a fascinating journey that culminates in an intriguing, unexpected crescendo that is as poetic as it is dramatic.
The weaving of every thread of the narrative echoes the complexity and beauty of the henna patterns that the book is named after. Politics, culture, religion and romance are entwined and explored; the relationships between the characters and their struggles link to each other subtly yet meaningfully. No conflict is over-simplified or glossed over and although the book – and its main characters – are distinctly liberal, there is enough nuance and honesty in it that it can truly appeal to a wide and varied audience.
Although the characters are fictional, their stories are reflections of reality. Muslim women come from backgrounds as varied as those of Zainab, Amra and Hayden and have lives that are just as complex and rich as theirs. Painted Hands is both an acknowledgement and appreciation of what it means to be a Muslim woman in the modern Western world.
Read
August 24, 2016"Muslim bad girl Zainab Mir has just landed a job working for a post-feminist, Republican Senate candidate. Her best friend Amra Abbas is about to make partner at a top Boston law firm. Together they’ve thwarted proposal-slinging aunties, cultural expectations, and the occasional bigot to succeed in their careers. What they didn’t count on? Unlikely men and geopolitical firestorms."
Zainab is getting a lot of attention as the very stylish spokeswoman for a candidate known for speaking her mind without checking with her advisors first. This makes her a perfect target for a rising star in conservative talk radio. A Republican's advisor is Muslim? Chase Holland doesn't even have to think hard to turn his audience's outrage on. He doesn't count on liking Zainab when he meets her though.
Amra works long hours to secure her promised partnership at a law firm. When her family surprises her with a reintroduction to a family friend's son, she is outraged. However they hit it off. She hides her workaholic tendencies from him and this leads to difficulties as the relationship gets serious.
This book also features Hayden, a white woman who converts to Islam and is convinced that the South Asian Muslim women she knows aren't following the religion correctly. She is influenced by a very conservative Muslim woman and enters into an arranged marriage with that woman's son. The author is a convert too so it is interesting to get that perspective.
An attempted terrorist attack brings these women's carefully balanced lives to the brink of chaos. Zainab is feeling the political pressure of being forced to apologize for something she had nothing to do with. Amra's conflicted desires for her job and her family lead her to the breaking point. Hayden realizes that she may have been lead astray by those who she has been modeling her new life on.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
Zainab is getting a lot of attention as the very stylish spokeswoman for a candidate known for speaking her mind without checking with her advisors first. This makes her a perfect target for a rising star in conservative talk radio. A Republican's advisor is Muslim? Chase Holland doesn't even have to think hard to turn his audience's outrage on. He doesn't count on liking Zainab when he meets her though.
Amra works long hours to secure her promised partnership at a law firm. When her family surprises her with a reintroduction to a family friend's son, she is outraged. However they hit it off. She hides her workaholic tendencies from him and this leads to difficulties as the relationship gets serious.
This book also features Hayden, a white woman who converts to Islam and is convinced that the South Asian Muslim women she knows aren't following the religion correctly. She is influenced by a very conservative Muslim woman and enters into an arranged marriage with that woman's son. The author is a convert too so it is interesting to get that perspective.
An attempted terrorist attack brings these women's carefully balanced lives to the brink of chaos. Zainab is feeling the political pressure of being forced to apologize for something she had nothing to do with. Amra's conflicted desires for her job and her family lead her to the breaking point. Hayden realizes that she may have been lead astray by those who she has been modeling her new life on.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
September 27, 2013
Full review here.
This is a very well-written book. The characters are believable. Zobair treads the fine line of making them appear modern and progressive Muslims, rejecting fundamentalist, regressive notions, but still maintaining love and respect for their culture and heritage. We do not generally get to read of such moderates, so it was quite a breath of fresh air to hear the views of these feminists. Apart from the religious aspect, the women in this novel struggle for basic equality, because that is what it boils down to – the idea that one’s life is one’s own and not subject to expectations – cultural or otherwise. We can call gild it, give it the superficial once-over and declare ourselves progressives, but are we really? In real life there is no absolute black and white, but a lot of grey. Zainab, Amra and Hayden find that out once they step into the system, Amra by marrying into it, Zainab by thwarting it and Hayden by idolizing a religion she does not understand.
The women in this book are Muslim feminists, a term so rarely heard in mainstream media, it might as well not exist. Zainab, Amra, Rukan and Hayden wanting no more than to live their lives as they see fit, are buffeted by unreasonable demands; society and family send out subliminal diktats on their duties as “good” women – how to look pleasing and non-threatening, appear ready to obey, and drop all their aspirations and worked-for-goals when told to do so. Feminism is often thought to be “outside” the system, but there must be a middle ground, or so Amra believes – a way to be true to oneself and one’s dignity, while maintaining familial and personal relationships. It is a hard question to tackle and there are no easy answers, which makes this book even more worthwhile to read.
“Painted Hands” was an interesting read, a look-see into the other, little-known side of Islam, from the female point of view. Recommended.
This is a very well-written book. The characters are believable. Zobair treads the fine line of making them appear modern and progressive Muslims, rejecting fundamentalist, regressive notions, but still maintaining love and respect for their culture and heritage. We do not generally get to read of such moderates, so it was quite a breath of fresh air to hear the views of these feminists. Apart from the religious aspect, the women in this novel struggle for basic equality, because that is what it boils down to – the idea that one’s life is one’s own and not subject to expectations – cultural or otherwise. We can call gild it, give it the superficial once-over and declare ourselves progressives, but are we really? In real life there is no absolute black and white, but a lot of grey. Zainab, Amra and Hayden find that out once they step into the system, Amra by marrying into it, Zainab by thwarting it and Hayden by idolizing a religion she does not understand.
The women in this book are Muslim feminists, a term so rarely heard in mainstream media, it might as well not exist. Zainab, Amra, Rukan and Hayden wanting no more than to live their lives as they see fit, are buffeted by unreasonable demands; society and family send out subliminal diktats on their duties as “good” women – how to look pleasing and non-threatening, appear ready to obey, and drop all their aspirations and worked-for-goals when told to do so. Feminism is often thought to be “outside” the system, but there must be a middle ground, or so Amra believes – a way to be true to oneself and one’s dignity, while maintaining familial and personal relationships. It is a hard question to tackle and there are no easy answers, which makes this book even more worthwhile to read.
“Painted Hands” was an interesting read, a look-see into the other, little-known side of Islam, from the female point of view. Recommended.
November 8, 2013
Zainab Mir is already pushing against cultural expectations by working for a Republican senator and things only get more complicated as she befriends a gay reporter; is featured in a suggestive magazine article; and falls for a Muslim-bashing member of the opposition. Amra Abbas also has a high powered career, dreaming of becoming a partner in a law firm. When she reconnects with a childhood crush she conceals her career ambitions until the point at which reconciliation might not be possible.
I was drawn to this book because of the ways the main characters were different from me. Learning about new cultures is one of the many reasons I enjoy reading and from the use of Hindi words to the inclusion of many Muslim cultural norms, this book definitely delivered on that front. However, what impressed me most was actually how relatable the main characters were. I feel like a lot of chick lit focuses entirely on relationships and is too fluffy to spark a conversation about any serious issues. Women’s fiction on the other hand often focuses on issues that interest me, but aren’t relevant to my life yet. This book filled that gap.
Both Zainab and Amra care about guys and spend a lot of time thinking about relationships. However, they also both have serious careers which they care about at least as much as they care about the men in their lives. Although I personally don’t have to deal with the cultural struggles they face, making my life much less complex than theirs, I still empathized deeply with their struggles balancing careers and romance. I might be biased since this being part of a dual-career couple thing is directly relevant to me, but I suspect this is an issue more and more women will be facing in the future. As that happens, I hope Jennifer Zobair and others like her keep writing these complex women who will help real women think about and discuss their own priorities.
This review first published on Doing Dewey.
I was drawn to this book because of the ways the main characters were different from me. Learning about new cultures is one of the many reasons I enjoy reading and from the use of Hindi words to the inclusion of many Muslim cultural norms, this book definitely delivered on that front. However, what impressed me most was actually how relatable the main characters were. I feel like a lot of chick lit focuses entirely on relationships and is too fluffy to spark a conversation about any serious issues. Women’s fiction on the other hand often focuses on issues that interest me, but aren’t relevant to my life yet. This book filled that gap.
Both Zainab and Amra care about guys and spend a lot of time thinking about relationships. However, they also both have serious careers which they care about at least as much as they care about the men in their lives. Although I personally don’t have to deal with the cultural struggles they face, making my life much less complex than theirs, I still empathized deeply with their struggles balancing careers and romance. I might be biased since this being part of a dual-career couple thing is directly relevant to me, but I suspect this is an issue more and more women will be facing in the future. As that happens, I hope Jennifer Zobair and others like her keep writing these complex women who will help real women think about and discuss their own priorities.
This review first published on Doing Dewey.
September 20, 2013
As a person of Indian origin who has raised two daughters in the United States, I really enjoyed the perspective provided by Ms. Zobair, which is quite accurate and balanced. It sheds light on the Pakistani and Indian Muslim diaspora with its amazing diversity on politics, religion, culture, and so forth. It is also interesting to see how this diaspora is enriching our lives and in many ways they share the same values and aspirations for freedom and fairness we do. Having just published a novel myself, I also appreciate how much time and effort it took for the author to take time out of her busy work and family life to commit to this cause. She, obviously, walks the talk.
What is also interesting is the life of not just three Muslim women but one Caucasian one as well, who is pulled into Islam for the wrong reasons and finds herself in a bit of a tangle. The one feedback I have is that Painted Hands reads a bit more like a TV serial with short narrative of various characters. This is done well, and it is not jarring, but I felt that I was getting into some really good scenes when they end too quickly. A case in point is one of the threesome invites her white boyfriend to come make a marriage proposal to her father. That scene is well done, but left me wanting more. Again, wanting to read more is not necessarily a negative thing. I do wish there were some more tension in the story as conflicts get resolved. But there are also a few nice touches such as relationship between Mateen and Amra.
Great job overall with the first novel, and I hope to read Ms. Zobair's next novel too.
What is also interesting is the life of not just three Muslim women but one Caucasian one as well, who is pulled into Islam for the wrong reasons and finds herself in a bit of a tangle. The one feedback I have is that Painted Hands reads a bit more like a TV serial with short narrative of various characters. This is done well, and it is not jarring, but I felt that I was getting into some really good scenes when they end too quickly. A case in point is one of the threesome invites her white boyfriend to come make a marriage proposal to her father. That scene is well done, but left me wanting more. Again, wanting to read more is not necessarily a negative thing. I do wish there were some more tension in the story as conflicts get resolved. But there are also a few nice touches such as relationship between Mateen and Amra.
Great job overall with the first novel, and I hope to read Ms. Zobair's next novel too.
July 17, 2017
okay so let's start with what this story is not about
this is not a story about a hijabi who is deeply connected to her religious community, draws strength from that connection, and who finds value in consulting the quran and religious writing when wrestling with their opinions on culture and ethics
i am specifying this because as much as i enjoyed this book -- jennifer zobair is a great writer! i am totally gonna keep an eye out for her next work! -- there was definitely a part of me disgruntled to not be getting that story. that feeling of disgruntlement subsided the further i got into the story as zobair added increasing complexity and depth to the characters. this is not fundamentally a story that looks down on more 'conservative' muslim women, it is just one that has chosen to put it's focus elsewhere. which is fine! hurray for the particular vision of muslim feminists zobair writes about here! any and all complex representation of muslim women in the west is sorely needed! this is a really good book!
tl;dr: this book was good enough that i was able to get past my kneejerk disappointment of 'but why isn't it about meeeee, why can't i get representation exactly to my liking anywhere, when will somebody write a book about an eritrean hijabi with a number of positions that could be characterized as liberal or feminist but who feels ambivalent about both terms because surprise, surprise, broad ideologies always contain at least a few positions to take issue with' so like. if you don't have my particular issues you'll probably like it EVEN BETTER
4 stars
this is not a story about a hijabi who is deeply connected to her religious community, draws strength from that connection, and who finds value in consulting the quran and religious writing when wrestling with their opinions on culture and ethics
i am specifying this because as much as i enjoyed this book -- jennifer zobair is a great writer! i am totally gonna keep an eye out for her next work! -- there was definitely a part of me disgruntled to not be getting that story. that feeling of disgruntlement subsided the further i got into the story as zobair added increasing complexity and depth to the characters. this is not fundamentally a story that looks down on more 'conservative' muslim women, it is just one that has chosen to put it's focus elsewhere. which is fine! hurray for the particular vision of muslim feminists zobair writes about here! any and all complex representation of muslim women in the west is sorely needed! this is a really good book!
tl;dr: this book was good enough that i was able to get past my kneejerk disappointment of 'but why isn't it about meeeee, why can't i get representation exactly to my liking anywhere, when will somebody write a book about an eritrean hijabi with a number of positions that could be characterized as liberal or feminist but who feels ambivalent about both terms because surprise, surprise, broad ideologies always contain at least a few positions to take issue with' so like. if you don't have my particular issues you'll probably like it EVEN BETTER
4 stars
July 3, 2016
Three best friends are living in the city and learning how to cope as Muslim women in a modern day America. Each of them take steps that turn them towards a more modern view of their lifestyle and religion. But when hard situations come calling, which ones will return to their heritage and embrace the traditions they were raised with.
I was a little apprehensive about reading this book. I've had some bad experiences with "Indian" books before. But I was not only pleasantly surprised, I was impressed. On the surface, this is a love story about three girls and some of their friends. But on a deeper level it's about how our traditions affect our lifestyle decisions. It's about making choices that affect everyone around us. It is about not letting our preconceived ideas color our view of the world. I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story, but I also enjoyed the parts that got me to thinking about what and why I believed the way I do. If you want a light romantic read, you could probably read this book. But don't be surprised to find yourself re-thinking issues and pondering thoughts presented in the book. I'm looking forward to another book by this author.
I received this book free of charge from St. Martin's Press Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
I was a little apprehensive about reading this book. I've had some bad experiences with "Indian" books before. But I was not only pleasantly surprised, I was impressed. On the surface, this is a love story about three girls and some of their friends. But on a deeper level it's about how our traditions affect our lifestyle decisions. It's about making choices that affect everyone around us. It is about not letting our preconceived ideas color our view of the world. I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story, but I also enjoyed the parts that got me to thinking about what and why I believed the way I do. If you want a light romantic read, you could probably read this book. But don't be surprised to find yourself re-thinking issues and pondering thoughts presented in the book. I'm looking forward to another book by this author.
I received this book free of charge from St. Martin's Press Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
February 23, 2017
A window into a culture different than my own, Painted Hands revealed the subtle and not so subtle prejudices people tend to have against those they do not know or understand. Zobair creates situations for her characters to respond to stereotypes and assumptions toward them and allows readers to not only see the effects of racism and sexism but also to see how to educate others and combat those preconceived notions. The friendship between Amra and Zainab reminds readers that no matter what religion a person may practice, s/he will, at some point, question the meaning of tradition and sometimes struggle to follow and understand the fundamental teachings within that religion. The characters model the importance of facing the truth and starting conversations while the story starts conversations of its own.
June 26, 2013
Wow!
I don't recall feeling so deeply invested emotionally in a cast of characters as in Painted Hands. Maybe it's me, but there's a point in a good book (thus earning the good part) when the characters stop being "them" in my mind, becoming "us." With Painted Hands, that's no easy thing for a guy raised in the culturally homogenous suburbs of the Florida "I-4 corridor," even one who likes to think of himself as liberal in mind and spirit.
I think it elevates Painted Hands beyond merely good - to important.
I'd like to offer my congratulations to Ms Zobair for what I believe is a wonderful achievement. Painted Hands is a great book. I hope a lot of people read it and many minds are opened.
I don't recall feeling so deeply invested emotionally in a cast of characters as in Painted Hands. Maybe it's me, but there's a point in a good book (thus earning the good part) when the characters stop being "them" in my mind, becoming "us." With Painted Hands, that's no easy thing for a guy raised in the culturally homogenous suburbs of the Florida "I-4 corridor," even one who likes to think of himself as liberal in mind and spirit.
I think it elevates Painted Hands beyond merely good - to important.
I'd like to offer my congratulations to Ms Zobair for what I believe is a wonderful achievement. Painted Hands is a great book. I hope a lot of people read it and many minds are opened.
March 5, 2015
A wonderful book that showed so many different types of Islam and brought up the kinds of debates and inner struggles with how each person interprets their faith. Rather than monolithic, it was heterogeneous and varied.
I wish there had been less ambiguity over what happens with Chase and Zainab, as well as with Hayden. I felt in the latter, there wasn't much resolution in her story. I really didn't like how judgmental Mateen was regarding Zainab considering his own shortcomings, or how he seemed to be trying to slowly move Amra to be a conservative Muslim housewife. But the author seemed to reconcile that in his talk with Zaibab towards the end. It goes to show how masterfully Zobair made such complex characters and plots in her work.
This was a wonderful and enlightening read.
I wish there had been less ambiguity over what happens with Chase and Zainab, as well as with Hayden. I felt in the latter, there wasn't much resolution in her story. I really didn't like how judgmental Mateen was regarding Zainab considering his own shortcomings, or how he seemed to be trying to slowly move Amra to be a conservative Muslim housewife. But the author seemed to reconcile that in his talk with Zaibab towards the end. It goes to show how masterfully Zobair made such complex characters and plots in her work.
This was a wonderful and enlightening read.
April 19, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and my only area of disappointment is that I've finished it. It was a story of friends - Zainab and Amra are life long friends who attended Smith together and are now in high powered careers in Boston. It is also a story of relationships, love and motherhood.
But it's much more because the women are Desi Muslims (Google explained that means non-Arabic) born in the United States but raised with Pakistani traditions. Their relationship with their religion, its responsibilities and requirements are part of the story. Islam is also part of the story because of many Americans' view of Islam. The novel presents many aspects of Islam including different interpretations of Islam. It shows people ranging from conservatives to non-practicing to converts.
But it's much more because the women are Desi Muslims (Google explained that means non-Arabic) born in the United States but raised with Pakistani traditions. Their relationship with their religion, its responsibilities and requirements are part of the story. Islam is also part of the story because of many Americans' view of Islam. The novel presents many aspects of Islam including different interpretations of Islam. It shows people ranging from conservatives to non-practicing to converts.
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