Cairo in White

by Kelly Ann Jacobson

Closeted Egyptian teen Zahra finds herself in an arranged marriage to her girlfriend's brother. As Cairo swelters in the summer of 1986, spunky Egyptian teen Zahra pins on her hijab and faces the heat like a warrior, prepared to risk everything for a secret rendezvous with her lover. But after climbing the Ahmeds’ wall and sneaking into their household, Zahra's parents catch her and force her to choose between telling them the truth about her relationship with the Ahmeds’ daughter or marrying the son they think she's been sneaking there to see. Years later, Zahra's American daughter, Aisha, steps off a plane at Cairo International Airport and greets her grandparents for the first time. Who is this tall girl wearing black clothes, piercings, and a pixie cut, they wonder, and what secrets does she hold? Zahra and Aisha’s lives unfold together as they both grapple with their religious beliefs, social pressures, love, and the search for a place to call home amidst the feminist movement and the Arab Spring.

Genres: Historical, LGBT

178 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2014

About the author

Dr. Kelly Ann Jacobson is the author or editor of many published books, including her contest-winning chapbook An Inventory of Abandoned Things (Split/Lip Press), her young adult novel Tink and Wendy (Three Rooms Press), and her forthcoming young adult novel Robin and Her Misfits (Three Rooms Press).

Kelly received her PhD in fiction from Florida State University and teaches as the Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing) at the University of Lynchburg and as an Instructor of speculative fiction and short story writing for Southern New Hampshire University’s online MFA in creative writing.

Kelly’s short works have been published in such places as Best Small Fictions, Boulevard, Southern Humanities Review, Daily Science Fiction, Northern Virginia Review, Iron Horse Literary Review, New Plains Review, and Gargoyle.

Reviews

[Maria Riegger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written coming of age story, told from the protagonist's and her daughter's point of view.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
*Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Cairo in White, is a fairly short novel, but it's pages are full. Told in alternating chapters, Cairo is the story of two young women trying to find themselves and follow their hearts. In the past, Zahra is forced into a marriage she wants nothing to do with. But that is only the beginning of her story, because in the present, we have her daughter, Aisha, who travels back to the land and the family her mother left behind.

At first glance, Zahra seemed to be a bit of an idealist, living in her own world. She is in love with someone forbidden to her, and while she knows her parents will not approve, she has this hope that maybe things will be ok. Until things are not, from there it only gets worse. And yet, despite it all, she has this inner strength that keeps her going. And you really have to admire her for that.

I wasn't sure what to think of Aisha at first. She sets off on this adventure to Cairo to visit the family she's never met before. But it's more than a simple meet the relatives visit for her. This is a different world than the one she left behind in America. It's more than just culture shock, is a whole new way of life.

I think the author did a wonderful job highlighting the differences without making one viewpoint be correct while the other is wrong. Instead this book was more about following your heart and taking the path is leads you down rather than simply allowing things to happen to you. Because if you're truly happy, then what does it matter where you are or who your with.

If you are looking for a cute, quick story that will make you think, then try this one.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Ann Jacobson brilliantly weaves the coming-of-age story of a headstrong Egyptian daughter, Aisha, with the remembered regrets of the mother who raised her within narrative so smooth the reader only remembers to pause during moments when Jacobson's lyricism glints so brightly one must slow to admire. With grace and great detail, Cairo in White speaks of loneliness and love, of expectation of self versus obligation, and of cultures starkly different but, ultimately, blurred. I couldn't put it down, nor could I choose which protagonist I was most drawn to. Wholly engaging and absolutely artful.

[Aud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book full of angst and had a hard time immersing myself in the story. It's told alternately from the mother's perspective 22 years in the past and the daughter's perspective in the present. I didn't like that tactic of telling the story and found it to be disjointed and distracting. My biggest issue with the story was how an adoption was portrayed. As an adoptive mother I found the author's romanticism of the birth parent bond to be unrealistic and offensive. Spoiler: a child is adopted as an infant. Six years later his birth mother walks into a room and an instant magical connection ensues, resulting in the child being returned to his birth mother. Just no.

[~ * K E L L I E * ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars