What Was Never Said

by Emma Craigie

15-year-old Zahra has lived in England most of her life, but she is haunted by memories of her early childhood in Africa: the warm sun, the loud gunfire, and happy days playing with her older sister before "the visitors" came. It is hard for Zahra to make sense of everything that happened, and the terrible events are impossible to talk about, but when three familiar women arrive unexpectedly for tea, Zahra realises that the dangers of the past could still destroy her.

What Was Never Said is the powerful story of a girl navigating the demands of two very different and conflicting worlds; a tale of surviving loss and overcoming fears.

Genres: Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2015

Reviews

[Ana Salote · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes skilful use of what isn’t said. The story alternates past and present, Somerset and Somali, war and peace (if not safety). What is consistent is Zahra’s ignorance. Facts are sieved by her family and culture. The reader shares her sense of what is not being said. The writer avoids graphic scenes of war and the act of female genital mutilation. Instead we are given a description of a tomato being sliced which genuinely made me wince.
There is little explanation of the tradition behind the practice of FGM, beyond the Imam’s dismissal. But this is not an anthropological discourse and our sympathy is more effectively engaged by a simplicity of voice that only reveals those shadowy impressions allowed to the fifteen year old Zahra.
While Zahra has experienced many things, she retains an innocence compared to her school mates Annie and Krysta. The less welcome effects of liberal parenting are shown alongside repressive control, a necessary balance when our own culture routinely impels women to pay to be sexually ‘enhanced’ (distorted?). One culture incubates precocity and promiscuity, one enforces modesty. What this book does very effectively is engage our sympathies for the victims of practices which feed on ignorance and shrivel in the light of rationalism and debate. It also highlights the importance of solidarity and communication between women.
I hope this book will cause young people to consider all ideologies which distort women’s sexuality. What is threatening about natural cycles, appetite and appearance? Why must these be used or defused and who is served by it?

[Rebekah May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good little book dealing with the very real and important topic of female genital mutilation. It's not something I know much about, and I actually went into What Was Never Said not knowing that is was even about FGM. It follows a Muslim family from Somalia who have emigrated to England to be safe. We read from the point of view of Zahra, who addresses her older sister, Rahma. This jumps between present day Bristol, and two pasts in a town Somalia - when there was peace and when war started. Her train of thought in the present day is as if Zahra is telling Rahma a story she wasn't there for (which is essentially true), and the past is like recalling a memory that the other can't quite remember. The chapters are all short, some less than a page long. I actually really enjoyed the writing and format of the novel. It worked really well, especially for such a short book.

Speaking of which, I would have quite liked it to be longer. This is mostly taking place while Zahra runs away from home with her little sister, Samsam, because 'the cutter' has turned up at her house. Zahra recognises her because she cut Rahma and her best friend Yas back in Somalia. So to keep them both safe she quietly leaves the house with Samsam and bounces around a couple of friends' houses where her family won't be able to find her. Then we have flashbacks to her life in Somalia in between chapters of her running away. This was all done really well, the short chapters emphasised the sense of urgency and panic Zahra felt, of the short amount of time she had to convince her mother to send the women away, to not cut her. But there was no real information on why FGM happens. At one point Yas tells Zahra her experience and the Imam explains that it's tradition to 'keep girls pure' but it's not actually part of Islam. That's literally it, that's all we actually get told. I would have loved to know more, I knew most of what I was told already. I totally got Zahra's confusion because I was confused too.

The only other thing is that I don't feel like What Was Never Said was a particularly memorable book. There's not really anything wrong with it, apart from one instance when Zahra is telling someone about FGM and she gives two examples of countries it still happens in and she uses Africa as an example. Zahra is from Africa. She would know it's not a country. And even if she was just saying Africa as in other African countries, surely the author could have put in one other country instead of just putting Africa there. That's really the only things that bothered me, though. It's a good book, I'd recommend it, I just don't think it's going to stick in my mind.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. This has just jumped straight into my Carnegie 2016 shortlist.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes hard to follow and remember who's who
Very hard hitting story about Muslim culture and traditions. FGM
Very real to today's world
Important read
Beautiful ending









Spoiler
My only issue with this was why wasn't the mother in trouble with the police? surely after what happened with Rahma she would of known what uncle and noor were going to do?

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

About the important subject of female genital mutilation (FGM), What Was Never Said by Emma Craigie is a book I just had to read. A very shocking and eye-opening read.

Zahra moved with her family to England from Somalia when she was five, to escape the civil war. Now 15, she is troubled by memories of life back in Somalia and struggles to move forward from the events she witnessed. Then one day visitors arrive to her home, visitors from Somalia. Zahra recognises these women, and is filled with fear. All she knows is she and her little sister Samsam have to get away, to escape the same fate as her older sister, Rahma.

FGM is something I know very little about, but something I've always been horrified by. I know it can go wrong. I know girls who have this done can experience pain for the rest of their lives, more so when having sex. But I didn't know too much about why certain cultures performed FGM on their girls. What Was Never Said covers all these things through Zarha's experiences. The story focuses on Zahra trying to keep her and her little sister same, away from the cutter.

What Was Never said is quite a short novel, only 200 pages long, so not only did I fly through it, but it's quite a tight, compact story. You learn about what happened in Somalia, what happened to Zahra's older sister, and all that led to the move to England. However, because of how short it is, and the focus on staying same, we don't learn as much about the Muslim culture in general, or about the specific beliefs some Muslims - in the case of this story (though it does point out that this isn't the case for all Muslims) - have about FGM. We learn why they perform FGM, but not the why behind their beliefs so much. Even so, what we are told is unbelievably shocking. This from a flashback to when they were in Somalia:

'Aunty Noor was speaking, "You need to face up to it. Look at her. It won't be long. How are you going to protect her? You need to think of the future."
"Anyone can steal from an open purse," said Grandma.' (p96)

And when Zahra explains to a friend, Krysty, her fears about the women who turned up at her house:

'"Women who carry out this practice, of... Well," I pause. I don't know how to sound real. I can't help talking like an information leaflet. "In my culture there is a tradition of, um, performing... of cutting young girls. You know, like circumcision, but for girls. Sometimes it's called FGM."
"Oh my God. What are you saying? That you think they had come to cut you and your sister?"
"I don't know. I was scared that they would."
"Come on. Surely people don't really do that nowadays?"
"They do. In lots of countries. Egypt, Africa... It's a very old tradition. People think it's good, keeps women clean and pure. You know."
[...]
"So, what, it's like women can't enjoy sex or anything?"
"It's not just cutting, usually they stitch you up... stitch up the vagina. It's so you can't have sex. Not easily. To keep you pure."' (p79)

It's terrifying to imagine, even more so when you think that this is a very real thing facing, or experienced by, many girls around the world. So when Zahra is faced with this fear, she is so brilliantly brave to get her and her sister out as soon as possible. She doesn't know if she's done the right thing, if maybe she's misunderstood, or what she's going to do now she's out of there. She's scared about what might be waiting at home, but worried about where she's going to go, how she can get out of this rather than just stall it. But she knows she can't let it happen. She won't. She has so much courage, and I am filled with so much admiration and love for this young girl who is trying to keep herself, but mostly her six-year-old sister, Samsam, safe and whole. It's a hard-hitting novel, and really gets you thinking. In her Acknowledgements, Craigie tells us, "According to the World Health Organisation between 100 and 140 million women and girls worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM." And yet this is something we hear so little about. It makes me so angry. Why aren't we hearing more? Why aren't we being told how we can help?

Amazingly, there are a few other issues touched upon in this novel. They don't get developed very much, but there is enough to make us uncomfortable and think about things like cultural stereotypes, pressure to conform to (other) cultural traditions, racism and treatment of black people by police, and child grooming/abuse. As well as treatment of women within culture, it also touches on other aspects of sexism.

'"Why do you want it all in the living-room? Isn't it easier if everyone helps themselves in here?"
Noor untied her apron. "If we have it in the living-room the men can easily help themselves in seconds."
"Oh sorry of course. We've got to make sure the men are happy. Can't have them making any effort to feed themselves." [sic]' (p28)

What Was Never Said is a brilliant book. Without being too graphic or heavy-handed, it doesn't shy away from the truth, but forces you to sit up and listen. FGM is still being forced on girls, a fact that's almost too horrific to comprehend - but there is help out there. This doesn't have to happen. A really amazing story, and one that should be read and discussed.

Thank you to Short Books for the review copy.

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

A discussion on what is not said in the face of grief and loss. This also deals with FGM, so though the book is approachable it really needs to be read at the senior secondary level. I loved the bravery of the main character, and the book is now a favourite for daring to explore the impact of FGM and loss on families.

[Sue Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful little story, good read

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating and unbelievably sad, tells the story of FGM through the lens of a teenager losing her sister to the practice and doing what she has to in order to avoid the same fate.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out this review on my blog here!



Before going into this novel, I really did not know what to expect. I knew a little about FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and the consequences it can have on the individual but after reading this novel, I realised just how much of an invasive, torturous procedure it is and the life long effect it has on the girl. This novel made me think good and hard about culture, practises, feminism and society's expectations of women.

What Was Never Said has a unique way of playing on the idea of saying something without saying it, of talking about something without talking about it. Zahra's flashbacks to life in Somlia offer great insights into her life there and her villages practises which I found both interesting and somewhat difficult to read. Zahra often down-plays the FGM practise by calling it "cutting" or using throw away phrases, one of which struck me hard - "anyone can steal from an open purse". Although the author does not go into any graphic details, the reader is aware of what occurs with this practise.


Another aspect of the novel I really enjoyed was the way the innocence of Zahra is portrayed. She is a young teenager, who has experienced a lot of shocking things such as war, grief, yet still retains this sense of innocence and hope. The other characters, such as Annie and Yas, were all wonderfully and equally compelling. School friends Annie and Krystal are a stark contrast to Zahra, they drink, smoke, are sexually active. The novel focuses a lot on the opposites, war and peace, Somalia and England, Zahra's culture and Annies culture.

I think the novel also does a good job of portraying the fact that FGM is a cultural practise and is in no way a religious practise. Zahra's interaction with the Iman show and educate the reader that this is a practise that has been going on for so long that it has become the "norm" which is such a horrific thing.

This novel is not an easy read. For such a short novel, it packs an almighty punch. Although the subject matter of FGM is uncomfortable to read about, it is something we should be more and more aware of as an estimated 2,500 girls in Ireland and 60,000 in the UK could be living with the effects of FGM right now or are currently at risk. I think this is something that everyone needs to be aware of and I think that there should be more education on the subject. I think this novel would be great for informing school girls and boys about the subject and opening up a debate.

A harrowing, important and though provoking novel about such a cruel and excruciating practise. If you are looking for more info on FGM, I would highly recommend the documentary The Cruel Cut by Leyla Hussein (2013).

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Flew through this in a day! Although the writing wasn't the best, I really enjoyed this book.
It's diverse, tackling religion and the important issue of FGM, which I have to say, is a rarity for a YA novel. Short and sweet, it's a good book to just quickly pick up.

[Beth Bonini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slim novel deals with truly troubling subject matter: the problem of FGM (female genital mutilation) as it relates to an immigrant Somalian family living in the UK. The story is told from the POV of 15 year-old Zahra, and alternates between the present-day in London and her childhood memories of life in Somalia. The storyline moves back and forth between the two rather too frequently; at times it is distracting (and perhaps even confusing for less able readers), but it definitely serves a purpose in the story. When three women appear in her home, Zahra remembers a tragedy which has been long repressed in her family: the death of her older sister from a "cutting" which had gone wrong. Fearing the worst, Zahra runs away from home -- taking her 6 year old sister with her. It is a brave act, particularly as Zahra has been raised to be obedient to her parents and religion above all else. Many UK teenagers will be unfamiliar with the subject of FGM, but it is estimated to affect more than 125 million girls and women worldwide. Despite the fact that it has been an illegal practice in the UK since 1985, and was recently banned in Nigeria, it is still a widespread practice in Islamic and African communities. Although the author tries to be sensitive when portraying Zahra's religious and cultural background -- and does indeed portray some aspects of it in a flattering light compared to some of Zahra's English schoolmates -- a reader will come away feeling appropriately appalled that this barbaric and inhumane practice still goes on in the modern world.

[Bookread2day · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel for young adults with a hugley controversial, important and global subject matter at its heart the practise of female genital mutilation FGM, piognantly and honestly told in the words of 15 year old Zahra.
The author was exploring the idea of writing a novel about teenage girls from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Emma approched City Academy Bristol as it has a lot of Somali students.

What Was Never Said does not tell the story of any of the girls Emma met, rather it imagines the situation of a girl who doesn't have the support of their campaign. And there are many. UNICEF estimates that 133 millon women have undergone FGM worldwide. In Britan, mandatory recording of FGM cases started on 1 September 2011.

[Amanda Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was s difficult book, not in terms of the way it's written but for the viewpoint that FGM still goes on, in this country and other countries.
The story is told through the eyes of 15 year old Zahra. Zahra remembers her sisters FGM and recalls the screams from their home in Somalia. Fast forward a few years and Zahra and her family have moved to the UK. Then one night the cutters arrive and so the story of how Zahra runs away with her sister to avoid this barbaric act.
A well written story which leaves you desperately sad for those girls who have been mutilated and those for whom one day it will be there turn!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book deals with troubling subject matter, not often written about - FGM - it isn't a wonderfully written book. However, the horror of the subject - which is so understated that I am not sure teen readers who are not aware of the subject would pick it up - certainly grips the reader. There are flashbacks to life in Somalia, and a portrayal of a society which fails to understand the horror of what they are doing. A good and sobering read.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this novel was very descriptive through the emotive language used and the expressive adjectives. This novel, provoked emotion, I believe this is becuase the theme/subject of the novel is so sensitive and conflicting. I wasn't really able to connect with the charcater Zahara as she embarked on such an incredible adventure, one girls my age aren't thought to go on. I also loved the setting of the novel, again the detail and depth this novel is written in.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting depiction of the reality of FGM here in the UK, as well as being a window into the difficult world of young immigrants struggling to find their place between their various, conflicting cultures. Good short read.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, interesting and easy to read. Difficult subject: respect to Emma for even attempting to tackle it, let alone succeeding.