What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith
The true story of why a woman called the Canadian Embassy on the morning of her wedding day.
Sumaiya Matin was never sure if the story of the Shaytan Bride was truth or myth. However, when she moved from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Thunder Bay, Ontario, at age six, visions of the demonic bride followed her.
At first the Shaytan Bride seems to be the monster of fairy tales. However, in the weeks leading up to Sumaiya’s own unwanted wedding, she discovers the story and the bride herself are closer than they seem.
This true account of Sumaiya’s life in love and violence is a testimony to the strength of one woman’s desire to assert her humanity and the complicated fallout of her decisions.
Sumaiya Matin was never sure if the story of the Shaytan Bride was truth or myth. However, when she moved from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Thunder Bay, Ontario, at age six, visions of the demonic bride followed her.
At first the Shaytan Bride seems to be the monster of fairy tales. However, in the weeks leading up to Sumaiya’s own unwanted wedding, she discovers the story and the bride herself are closer than they seem.
This true account of Sumaiya’s life in love and violence is a testimony to the strength of one woman’s desire to assert her humanity and the complicated fallout of her decisions.
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
8 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 26, 2021
Amazing book.
The Shaytan Bride is the true account based on the author's life. The transitions made by her experiences, cultural reflections, religious regards and more. This memoir is surely written with utmost sincerity and resolution.
When Sumaiya was six years old, she moved from Dhaka to Ontario. Right from her childhood, she was familiar with the story of The Shaytan Bride who is chosen, owned or seduced by a jinni. However, as fate would have it, this story or myth hit much closer to home. She didn't anticipate this sudden intrusion of changes that life decided for her.
With stunning lyrical writing style the author surprises us with breathtaking power of words and actions. I agree when this was aptly described as not being a rescue story. This is a story of setting one's heart on the right and rising against all odds. In spite everything the author penned down the highs and the lows as well as the experiences of being an immigrant Muslim girl in abroad.
What an incredible read. The author did a commendable job by internalizing such vivid things into the book that would become an inspiration for all the readers. Themes such as religion, assimilation, faith, desire, love, mores. The Shaytan Bride is an eye opening book which shows the casting of shadows over the opinions of women and their desires. Sumaiya Matin's did I think that is absolutely impeccable. I also like the mystery revolving around the Shaytan Bride when she has shared her thoughts and feelings and how she had been through the worst of times to creating good memories for Jing her name and becoming victorious against the suppressing outcry of violence and trauma. All these were beautiful captured in the following pages.
I would recommend this book to everyone because this book deserves all the love and appreciation as it shares light on some of the most important aspects of our life that is hidden from public. The Shaytan Bride will touch the hearts of millions of readers as it would resonate sentimentally. Kudos to the author for writing this wonderfully inspiring memoir to the world.
The Shaytan Bride is the true account based on the author's life. The transitions made by her experiences, cultural reflections, religious regards and more. This memoir is surely written with utmost sincerity and resolution.
When Sumaiya was six years old, she moved from Dhaka to Ontario. Right from her childhood, she was familiar with the story of The Shaytan Bride who is chosen, owned or seduced by a jinni. However, as fate would have it, this story or myth hit much closer to home. She didn't anticipate this sudden intrusion of changes that life decided for her.
With stunning lyrical writing style the author surprises us with breathtaking power of words and actions. I agree when this was aptly described as not being a rescue story. This is a story of setting one's heart on the right and rising against all odds. In spite everything the author penned down the highs and the lows as well as the experiences of being an immigrant Muslim girl in abroad.
What an incredible read. The author did a commendable job by internalizing such vivid things into the book that would become an inspiration for all the readers. Themes such as religion, assimilation, faith, desire, love, mores. The Shaytan Bride is an eye opening book which shows the casting of shadows over the opinions of women and their desires. Sumaiya Matin's did I think that is absolutely impeccable. I also like the mystery revolving around the Shaytan Bride when she has shared her thoughts and feelings and how she had been through the worst of times to creating good memories for Jing her name and becoming victorious against the suppressing outcry of violence and trauma. All these were beautiful captured in the following pages.
I would recommend this book to everyone because this book deserves all the love and appreciation as it shares light on some of the most important aspects of our life that is hidden from public. The Shaytan Bride will touch the hearts of millions of readers as it would resonate sentimentally. Kudos to the author for writing this wonderfully inspiring memoir to the world.
October 18, 2021
Wow! What a read...
Based on the cover the reader gets a sense of - omg that's terrifying!! I went in expecting a keep the lights on kind of read. And while this wasn't at all where this story went ... it was actually so much more. Scary in the sense that when people are so caught up in doing what they've always done, in carrying out certain traditions, they don't always see the hurt and damage they are causing in the process.
Sumaiya Matin is an unbelievably strong individual. I was so blown away by her story! This is a memoir everyone needs to read.
Thank you so much to Dundurn Press for my gifted copy!
Based on the cover the reader gets a sense of - omg that's terrifying!! I went in expecting a keep the lights on kind of read. And while this wasn't at all where this story went ... it was actually so much more. Scary in the sense that when people are so caught up in doing what they've always done, in carrying out certain traditions, they don't always see the hurt and damage they are causing in the process.
Sumaiya Matin is an unbelievably strong individual. I was so blown away by her story! This is a memoir everyone needs to read.
Thank you so much to Dundurn Press for my gifted copy!
December 23, 2021
Wow. I need a minute to reflect. This entire memoir was poetic and so incredibly beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t stop reading. I don’t know whether my connection was stronger than most being also a Muslim Bangladeshi Canadian woman but this is a 5 star for me. I urge everyone to pick it up and read it.
August 17, 2021
The Shaytan Bride is a powerful and extraordinary account of a young woman's journey of finding herself as she navigates through love and violence, trauma and healing, and through faith and family. Through beautiful, lyrical language, Sumaiya invites us into some of the most personal moments of her life and the depths of her heart, sharing her experience of being forced into a marriage for falling in love with someone her family did not accept, and how she forges her path and emerges triumphant, self-assured and transformed. But as she emphasizes at the very beginning of her book, "this is not a rescue story."
Sumaiya's memoir does not present your usual narrative of the east versus west, of how an oppressed Muslim woman is saved by the White Western Hero from her violent culture. Rather, she beautifully portrays the many complexities and nuances of violence against women, the fact that it cuts across cultures and communities, and that immigrant, racialized women's experience of violence does not only entail navigating family loyalties and moral codes that seem to only apply to women, but also the racism that demonizes their entire faith and culture. As a racialized, immigrant woman of faith myself, I appreciate this the most.
Throughout the book, and through the reference to the figurative "Shaytan (devil) Bride," Sumaiya forces readers to ask themselves who Shaytan is. Is it the fallen angel from heaven who tempts humans to do wrong things, or is it the jinni from a parallel world who possess humans, or is it the monster you become in the eyes of others when you simply live life on your own terms? Most importantly, does Shaytan only haunt women? Through Sumaiya's journey of rediscovering her relationship with herself and her faith, she shows us that perhaps Shaytan is ultimately the amalgamation of our own inner demons that transcends the definition of good and bad, or innocence and monstrosity. Perhaps it is possible to fight them and live with them at the same time, and perhaps that is what makes us our own heroes and saviors.
Rich with historical, political references and concepts of Islamic spirituality, this book beautifully contextualizes the experience of one individual within the larger socio-political landscape of post-colonial South Asia and neo-colonial North America. Also, the storytelling is gripping and compelling. I could not put this book down. It is a must read!
Sumaiya's memoir does not present your usual narrative of the east versus west, of how an oppressed Muslim woman is saved by the White Western Hero from her violent culture. Rather, she beautifully portrays the many complexities and nuances of violence against women, the fact that it cuts across cultures and communities, and that immigrant, racialized women's experience of violence does not only entail navigating family loyalties and moral codes that seem to only apply to women, but also the racism that demonizes their entire faith and culture. As a racialized, immigrant woman of faith myself, I appreciate this the most.
Throughout the book, and through the reference to the figurative "Shaytan (devil) Bride," Sumaiya forces readers to ask themselves who Shaytan is. Is it the fallen angel from heaven who tempts humans to do wrong things, or is it the jinni from a parallel world who possess humans, or is it the monster you become in the eyes of others when you simply live life on your own terms? Most importantly, does Shaytan only haunt women? Through Sumaiya's journey of rediscovering her relationship with herself and her faith, she shows us that perhaps Shaytan is ultimately the amalgamation of our own inner demons that transcends the definition of good and bad, or innocence and monstrosity. Perhaps it is possible to fight them and live with them at the same time, and perhaps that is what makes us our own heroes and saviors.
Rich with historical, political references and concepts of Islamic spirituality, this book beautifully contextualizes the experience of one individual within the larger socio-political landscape of post-colonial South Asia and neo-colonial North America. Also, the storytelling is gripping and compelling. I could not put this book down. It is a must read!
November 15, 2021
This memoir was intense, to say the very least. The Shaytan Bride is the true story of how writer Sumaiya Matin shaped her own fate and escaped her forced wedding when she was just 19 years old.
I find it difficult to “review” memoirs because who am I (who is anyone?!) to pass judgment on anyone’s real lived experiences, you know?!Let alone one that deals with such an immensely traumatic experience.
But I’ll tell you this much - Sumaiya’s story is gripping and unflinching. She writes of this traumatic experience while holding tenderly and tightly her faith as a Muslim woman. She writes of this traumatic experience while calling out Islamophobia and squashing the Western gaze. She writes of this traumatic experience while holding compassion and kindness to her family, many of whom were responsible for that trauma to begin with.
And it is this latter part really that gripped me the most about this book. She writes these “characters” - many of whom could easily be turned into villains and monsters - with such a wholeness that it reveals all that they are…which is to say that they are…human. Complex, flawed, and fucked up while trying to do their best in their own fucked up ways.
I am stunned by her grace and magnanimity.
I find it difficult to “review” memoirs because who am I (who is anyone?!) to pass judgment on anyone’s real lived experiences, you know?!Let alone one that deals with such an immensely traumatic experience.
But I’ll tell you this much - Sumaiya’s story is gripping and unflinching. She writes of this traumatic experience while holding tenderly and tightly her faith as a Muslim woman. She writes of this traumatic experience while calling out Islamophobia and squashing the Western gaze. She writes of this traumatic experience while holding compassion and kindness to her family, many of whom were responsible for that trauma to begin with.
And it is this latter part really that gripped me the most about this book. She writes these “characters” - many of whom could easily be turned into villains and monsters - with such a wholeness that it reveals all that they are…which is to say that they are…human. Complex, flawed, and fucked up while trying to do their best in their own fucked up ways.
I am stunned by her grace and magnanimity.
November 12, 2021
This was an intense book, full of both women’s power and advantages taken against women set against the settings of a new world Canada and old world Bangladesh. This is a beautifully-narrated memoir, Sumaiya Matin shares her experience growing up as a Bangladeshi immigrant in Canada and the struggles and challenges she faced to assimilate into the society while also harboring her Bengali identity. But that’s not just it - faced with the prospect of forced marriage - her story reveals the resilience of humankind in the face of tremendous struggle. She crafts a tale in a way that makes it unique and relatable all at once, while also maintaining her Bengali culture while connecting readers to her journey.
Shaytan Bride is a provocative and challenging voyage into Sumaiya Matin's life and dreams as a Bangladeshi Canadian woman and I truly believe it has solidified itself as a great piece of literature.
Shaytan Bride is a provocative and challenging voyage into Sumaiya Matin's life and dreams as a Bangladeshi Canadian woman and I truly believe it has solidified itself as a great piece of literature.
April 6, 2022
4.25 stars This is a well written true story by a very intelligent, strong and brave young woman. It was infuriating to read about her treatment by her relatives and other people in her life who are supposed to love and care for her. Even at 19 she was very courageous and insightful. There were many spiritual aspects about her religion that I was not previously aware of that I found interesting; astral projection, influence of negative entities, possession. The text messages at the end could have been left out but most of this book was a page turner. I hope she tries her hand at fiction.
November 17, 2021
“...I didn’t necessarily think of him like my hero or saviour. I was now more concerned with becoming a heroine to myself. The strong instinct to protect, to live.”- The Shaytan Bride
When I came across these lines, I remember repeating them over and over. These lines might as well be my guideline and living philosophy. And it’s a philosophy that Sumaiya embraces throughout her very emotional and intense memoir.
Writing about our traumatic experiences is not easy; but to portray it in literature, and that too in such a creative way, is definitely a skill. Sumaiya’s memoir does exactly that. Her writing is vivid, descriptive, and full of passion, merged with a bit of fantasy and romanticism. At times, she connects her lived experience with wider political and historical context. This back-and-forth dialogue between the individual and society at large is something I have seen very few authors do.
What I appreciated the most is how delicately and powerfully Sumaiya handles the topic of forced marriage. This theme is often showed by Western media and popular culture in such a way, that it creates a stereotypical negative image of Muslim women. This is where Sumaiya’s narrative differs. She is strong, confident, and ready to take control of her life- whether that’s at the age of 19, or at 25, or even later on in life. She is no damsel in distress.
That is not to say she doesn’t express her pain; she does. But it’s done in such a way that you admire her resilience and her strength. You feel hurt when she feels hurt. When she expresses her pain, you feel the pain too. But you never feel sorry for her.
I especially loved her genuine and sincere love with her creator, and the empathy she comes to develop about herself. As a fellow Bangladeshi Muslim woman, her journey of navigating between her multiple identities and living in the Bangladeshi diaspora, felt so familiar.
And her questions...The many questions she throws at the other characters, at the reader, at herself. This is a memoir that will make you think deeply about societal norms, traditions, the validity of these traditions; it may even make you do some introspection yourself.
To those who may feel unsettled by the title of the book and question why the writer chose to include the Shaytan’s name in the title- to them I say: don’t be quick to judge. Because FYI, the key message of this book is exactly that: shed your judgements and assumptions.
Ending this with another of my favourite quotes from the memoir: “How could anyone know what was really in her heart or mind if they just judged based on what they heard?”
Give this a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
When I came across these lines, I remember repeating them over and over. These lines might as well be my guideline and living philosophy. And it’s a philosophy that Sumaiya embraces throughout her very emotional and intense memoir.
Writing about our traumatic experiences is not easy; but to portray it in literature, and that too in such a creative way, is definitely a skill. Sumaiya’s memoir does exactly that. Her writing is vivid, descriptive, and full of passion, merged with a bit of fantasy and romanticism. At times, she connects her lived experience with wider political and historical context. This back-and-forth dialogue between the individual and society at large is something I have seen very few authors do.
What I appreciated the most is how delicately and powerfully Sumaiya handles the topic of forced marriage. This theme is often showed by Western media and popular culture in such a way, that it creates a stereotypical negative image of Muslim women. This is where Sumaiya’s narrative differs. She is strong, confident, and ready to take control of her life- whether that’s at the age of 19, or at 25, or even later on in life. She is no damsel in distress.
That is not to say she doesn’t express her pain; she does. But it’s done in such a way that you admire her resilience and her strength. You feel hurt when she feels hurt. When she expresses her pain, you feel the pain too. But you never feel sorry for her.
I especially loved her genuine and sincere love with her creator, and the empathy she comes to develop about herself. As a fellow Bangladeshi Muslim woman, her journey of navigating between her multiple identities and living in the Bangladeshi diaspora, felt so familiar.
And her questions...The many questions she throws at the other characters, at the reader, at herself. This is a memoir that will make you think deeply about societal norms, traditions, the validity of these traditions; it may even make you do some introspection yourself.
To those who may feel unsettled by the title of the book and question why the writer chose to include the Shaytan’s name in the title- to them I say: don’t be quick to judge. Because FYI, the key message of this book is exactly that: shed your judgements and assumptions.
Ending this with another of my favourite quotes from the memoir: “How could anyone know what was really in her heart or mind if they just judged based on what they heard?”
Give this a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
September 5, 2021
**Thank you Dundurn Press & @sumaiya.matin for sending me an advanced copy to read!
Sumaiya was never sure if the tales about the #ShaytanBride was fiction or fact. The Shaytan (devil) Bride (TSB) is used to describe “eccentric women who were possessed by jinns” whose hearts were filled with disgust, who fall in love with men with no regard for whether their desires would be socially acceptable, or accepted by their families and religion. But when she moved to Canada from Bangladesh, she discovers that the story of the Bride is much closer to her than they seem. Throughout this book, Sumaiya gets personal on how her family did not accept her interracial relationship and further found herself being forced into a marriage.
TSB is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir about a woman’s search of her desires and her autonomy to pursue them. Sumaiya’s memoir is not one which illustrate the colonial binary—the West rescuing the East from its ‘oppressive’ culture—but rather owning her story through portraying the interweave of love, family, cultures, communities, faith, politics, and religion. It critically discusses the challenges of womanhood and internalised sexism that societies have created for women, even women within their own community.
This memoir is beautifully-written, it is personal, and critical. It is intersectional and it is equipped with appropriate historical, political and religious references, which further make the readers, not far too alienated from understanding the context of this memoir. Reading this memoir is actually like having the author speaking directly to you. Clear, intimate and moving.
I have personally enjoyed reading TSB. Sumaiya has shown great bravery in sharing her past, her determination to defend herself, and how she overcomes her trauma. Captivating story-telling, intelligent, thought-provoking. If you are interested in reading memoirs about love, cultures, intersectional feminism, family, resistance and persistency this one is for you! 4/5 🌟
*TSB will be available in Indigo, Amazon or your local bookstore, September 7! 😍
Follow me on Instagram @readorables for more book reviews and bookish content.
Sumaiya was never sure if the tales about the #ShaytanBride was fiction or fact. The Shaytan (devil) Bride (TSB) is used to describe “eccentric women who were possessed by jinns” whose hearts were filled with disgust, who fall in love with men with no regard for whether their desires would be socially acceptable, or accepted by their families and religion. But when she moved to Canada from Bangladesh, she discovers that the story of the Bride is much closer to her than they seem. Throughout this book, Sumaiya gets personal on how her family did not accept her interracial relationship and further found herself being forced into a marriage.
TSB is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir about a woman’s search of her desires and her autonomy to pursue them. Sumaiya’s memoir is not one which illustrate the colonial binary—the West rescuing the East from its ‘oppressive’ culture—but rather owning her story through portraying the interweave of love, family, cultures, communities, faith, politics, and religion. It critically discusses the challenges of womanhood and internalised sexism that societies have created for women, even women within their own community.
This memoir is beautifully-written, it is personal, and critical. It is intersectional and it is equipped with appropriate historical, political and religious references, which further make the readers, not far too alienated from understanding the context of this memoir. Reading this memoir is actually like having the author speaking directly to you. Clear, intimate and moving.
I have personally enjoyed reading TSB. Sumaiya has shown great bravery in sharing her past, her determination to defend herself, and how she overcomes her trauma. Captivating story-telling, intelligent, thought-provoking. If you are interested in reading memoirs about love, cultures, intersectional feminism, family, resistance and persistency this one is for you! 4/5 🌟
*TSB will be available in Indigo, Amazon or your local bookstore, September 7! 😍
Follow me on Instagram @readorables for more book reviews and bookish content.
September 6, 2021
‘The Shaytan Bride’ by Sumaiya Matin is an extraordinary tale of a woman's battle against what has been pre-written for her by her destiny against what she truly desires and what her heart and mind actually want.
From a very young age, the author was privy to and had heard about the stories of eccentric women who were possessed by Jinnis. But the question remained on whether they were really true or just myths which were circulated amongst the townsfolk.
However, soon she will learn more about what is the veracity in reality and just how close the stories which she had only heard about before resembled so closely with her own life.
As mentioned by the author in the very beginning of the book, this was not at all a rescue story, whereby the damsel in distress was saved by her Prince Charming. No, this story was about how a woman, who by her strong will and resoluteness was able to achieve a feat that was deemed impossible by many.
The book shows us about the determination of a woman, who if puts her mind to it, there is nothing that she won't be able to do or achieve.
Those who feel like life has dealt them with hardships, or if what they are going through currently is the absolute end, they should give this book a try as it not only provides the readers with a good dose of encouragement but also gives a push that might be needed in certain situations.
I really enjoyed reading the book throughout and was highly impressed by the author’s courage to show a part of her life that will undoubtedly be an uplifting to many. I am going to give this book FIVE BRIDE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From a very young age, the author was privy to and had heard about the stories of eccentric women who were possessed by Jinnis. But the question remained on whether they were really true or just myths which were circulated amongst the townsfolk.
However, soon she will learn more about what is the veracity in reality and just how close the stories which she had only heard about before resembled so closely with her own life.
As mentioned by the author in the very beginning of the book, this was not at all a rescue story, whereby the damsel in distress was saved by her Prince Charming. No, this story was about how a woman, who by her strong will and resoluteness was able to achieve a feat that was deemed impossible by many.
The book shows us about the determination of a woman, who if puts her mind to it, there is nothing that she won't be able to do or achieve.
Those who feel like life has dealt them with hardships, or if what they are going through currently is the absolute end, they should give this book a try as it not only provides the readers with a good dose of encouragement but also gives a push that might be needed in certain situations.
I really enjoyed reading the book throughout and was highly impressed by the author’s courage to show a part of her life that will undoubtedly be an uplifting to many. I am going to give this book FIVE BRIDE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 21, 2021
The Shaytan Bride was the memoir I didn't know I needed to read!
The Shaytan Bride captivated me right from the start. The story begins with Sumaiya's family preparing her for an exorcist to come and rid her of the jinns that are inhabiting her body, making her act out of character. In the second chapter, she explains the background of Shaytan in Islam, and creates the story of the "Shaytan Bride" referring "eccentric women possessed by jinns." Sumaiya recalls her childhood in Bangladesh and introduces us to each of her family members and the family dynamic.
At the age of six, her family immigrates from Bangladesh to Thunder Bay, Ontario, eventually settling in Toronto. As a teenager, Sumaiya begins a relationship that her parents strongly disapprove of. Soon after the discovery of her relationship, her family returns to Bangladesh for what was supposed to be a summer vacation. Sumaiya soon finds herself a prisoner in her uncles home and being forced to marry.
The Shaytan Bride is a brave and vulnerable story of Sumaiya Matins experiences before, during, and after this pivotal trip to Bangladesh. Her style of writing is reflective, insightful and beautiful. As a reader, we witness from growth personally and spiritually from her younger years to adulthood. The book covers multiple other themes including the immigrant experience, the experience of Muslims in Canada, family expectations, inner growth and more. There are also historical references sprinkled throughout, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn something new.
Overall, The Shaytan Bride is a stunning debut handled with care. I will be on the lookout for more of Sumaiya's work in the future!
The Shaytan Bride captivated me right from the start. The story begins with Sumaiya's family preparing her for an exorcist to come and rid her of the jinns that are inhabiting her body, making her act out of character. In the second chapter, she explains the background of Shaytan in Islam, and creates the story of the "Shaytan Bride" referring "eccentric women possessed by jinns." Sumaiya recalls her childhood in Bangladesh and introduces us to each of her family members and the family dynamic.
At the age of six, her family immigrates from Bangladesh to Thunder Bay, Ontario, eventually settling in Toronto. As a teenager, Sumaiya begins a relationship that her parents strongly disapprove of. Soon after the discovery of her relationship, her family returns to Bangladesh for what was supposed to be a summer vacation. Sumaiya soon finds herself a prisoner in her uncles home and being forced to marry.
The Shaytan Bride is a brave and vulnerable story of Sumaiya Matins experiences before, during, and after this pivotal trip to Bangladesh. Her style of writing is reflective, insightful and beautiful. As a reader, we witness from growth personally and spiritually from her younger years to adulthood. The book covers multiple other themes including the immigrant experience, the experience of Muslims in Canada, family expectations, inner growth and more. There are also historical references sprinkled throughout, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn something new.
Overall, The Shaytan Bride is a stunning debut handled with care. I will be on the lookout for more of Sumaiya's work in the future!
November 9, 2021
Must read, this book is a page turner!
This book is about a Bangladeshi-Canadian girl who emigrated to Canada with her family when she was six years old. This memoir is about her challenges she faced coming of age, trying to stay true to herself
and also respect her family while falling in love with a man who was the opposite of her beliefs. Sumaiya’s story is so original coming from her heart and so inspiring for everyone, especially for Muslim women who face different kinds of barriers, and compared to men who don’t face the same expectations, responses or backlash. Those who also have experienced forced marriage, finding themselves in a new country and getting an education will also relate to this book. I can relate so much to this story regarding the culture and traditions, and as a Muslim woman who has also emigrated to Canada at young age. This book gave me so much nostalgia for my own life. I admire Sumaiya for overcoming her challenges and being such a balanced thinker. She made some really hard choices but always tried to do what was right at the time. She stood up for herself and what she believed. I really love her writing style because it keeps you hooked and it is so poetic. I want to read her next book NOW.
This book is about a Bangladeshi-Canadian girl who emigrated to Canada with her family when she was six years old. This memoir is about her challenges she faced coming of age, trying to stay true to herself
and also respect her family while falling in love with a man who was the opposite of her beliefs. Sumaiya’s story is so original coming from her heart and so inspiring for everyone, especially for Muslim women who face different kinds of barriers, and compared to men who don’t face the same expectations, responses or backlash. Those who also have experienced forced marriage, finding themselves in a new country and getting an education will also relate to this book. I can relate so much to this story regarding the culture and traditions, and as a Muslim woman who has also emigrated to Canada at young age. This book gave me so much nostalgia for my own life. I admire Sumaiya for overcoming her challenges and being such a balanced thinker. She made some really hard choices but always tried to do what was right at the time. She stood up for herself and what she believed. I really love her writing style because it keeps you hooked and it is so poetic. I want to read her next book NOW.
October 9, 2021
Wow. I honestly did not think I was going to cry when reading this book. Sumaiya’s story is so raw & vulnerable. I truly treasure & value her openness especially being in a Muslim community that tends to shy away or omit the nitty gritty details of the experiences that shape our narratives.
Her story goes out to all of the immigrant children who follow their parents to a foreign country. Only to be living in a paradoxical state of mind, balancing two worlds, searching for love, peace, joy—but coming face to face with the reality of human beings who are living in their own belief systems. What was once her family, friends, community, lover — became a blur of belief systems & ideas. Everyone wanting their truth to be fact.
She writes, “I see the ending as the simultaneously ugly but beautiful truth that life is a revolving door” Sumaiya’s story is inspiring because she doesn’t fall into the extremes that everyone around her did at that time. She didn’t leave faith or fall into their ideas. Matin means powerful. And she lived up to every letter of her last name.
Her story goes out to all of the immigrant children who follow their parents to a foreign country. Only to be living in a paradoxical state of mind, balancing two worlds, searching for love, peace, joy—but coming face to face with the reality of human beings who are living in their own belief systems. What was once her family, friends, community, lover — became a blur of belief systems & ideas. Everyone wanting their truth to be fact.
She writes, “I see the ending as the simultaneously ugly but beautiful truth that life is a revolving door” Sumaiya’s story is inspiring because she doesn’t fall into the extremes that everyone around her did at that time. She didn’t leave faith or fall into their ideas. Matin means powerful. And she lived up to every letter of her last name.
October 28, 2021
A MUST READ 5 STARS PLUS PLUS PLUS +++
WHAT A ROLLER COASTER RIDE!!! SUMAIYA IS A TRUE WARRIOR , CANT WAIT TIL THE NEXT BOOK FANTASTIC!!!
WHAT A ROLLER COASTER RIDE!!! SUMAIYA IS A TRUE WARRIOR , CANT WAIT TIL THE NEXT BOOK FANTASTIC!!!
September 7, 2021
The author had heard about the Shaytan when she was a child living in Dhaka. She had heard about the jinnis who possess women making them do unreasonable things, she gave a name to these women - The Shaytan Bride. Little did she know that one day she herself would become one and identify herself as The Shaytan Bride.
The book follows the life of the author from her childhood to adulthood, it covers the changes both in her external environment as her family moves from Dhaka to Canada as well as internal changes as she becomes an adult realizing that there are many aspects of her personality, and above everything she is a resilient and strong woman.
The book very beautifully brings forth the struggles faced by the author and her experience as an immigrant Muslim girl in Toronto. Her perspectives, her core values and the way she lives and sees life is written immaculately.
The story is initially slow paced and by the end it becomes medium paced. This gives the reader enough time to settle into the cultural settings and author's uniquely beautiful writing style. The thing I liked about this book the most is that the author hasn't labeled anything as good and bad, she has just shared everything with utmost honesty and clarity, both her story as well as her thoughts.
A good book to read if you want to get insights into the life of a Muslim immigrant woman living in Toronto who doesn't let these tags define her and yet embraces these with utmost grace.
The book follows the life of the author from her childhood to adulthood, it covers the changes both in her external environment as her family moves from Dhaka to Canada as well as internal changes as she becomes an adult realizing that there are many aspects of her personality, and above everything she is a resilient and strong woman.
The book very beautifully brings forth the struggles faced by the author and her experience as an immigrant Muslim girl in Toronto. Her perspectives, her core values and the way she lives and sees life is written immaculately.
The story is initially slow paced and by the end it becomes medium paced. This gives the reader enough time to settle into the cultural settings and author's uniquely beautiful writing style. The thing I liked about this book the most is that the author hasn't labeled anything as good and bad, she has just shared everything with utmost honesty and clarity, both her story as well as her thoughts.
A good book to read if you want to get insights into the life of a Muslim immigrant woman living in Toronto who doesn't let these tags define her and yet embraces these with utmost grace.
October 6, 2021
The Shaytan Bride is a riveting book in the form of subtle memoir and fiction. It features the story of one young woman who migrated from Dhaka to Toronto, Canada. She comes across life not in a fairytale way but something sinister like tales of devils that she would listen to during her childhood.
The story of the protagonist is powerful, extraordinary, and inspiring. More than a quest, the female protagonist strives to find herself despite facing violence, abuse, discrimination, and so on.
It also is a story of love through thorns. But at the core of the book, you will find that the author brought ahead what churns inside her home and community. She falls in love with a white man, who does not belong to her religion and caste. Subsequently, she is forced into a marriage of her community by her people. There she not only loses her identity but also struggles to get a normal good life. She then strides ahead, takes bold decision, and makes her own story of fate.
It’s a story of acceptance and rejection. The writing style is good, the novel is initially slow burn but as it settles down with its cultural backdrop and auxiliary characters get familiar, it becomes an so engrossing that one cannot stop reading it. Unveiling core insights and shocking truth of communities, it is a novel that will open eyes for many who caught in the storm of social premises that fret the individuals in the name of religion and colour and caste. An amazing work by the author.
The story of the protagonist is powerful, extraordinary, and inspiring. More than a quest, the female protagonist strives to find herself despite facing violence, abuse, discrimination, and so on.
It also is a story of love through thorns. But at the core of the book, you will find that the author brought ahead what churns inside her home and community. She falls in love with a white man, who does not belong to her religion and caste. Subsequently, she is forced into a marriage of her community by her people. There she not only loses her identity but also struggles to get a normal good life. She then strides ahead, takes bold decision, and makes her own story of fate.
It’s a story of acceptance and rejection. The writing style is good, the novel is initially slow burn but as it settles down with its cultural backdrop and auxiliary characters get familiar, it becomes an so engrossing that one cannot stop reading it. Unveiling core insights and shocking truth of communities, it is a novel that will open eyes for many who caught in the storm of social premises that fret the individuals in the name of religion and colour and caste. An amazing work by the author.
October 6, 2021
The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith by Sumaiya Matin is a thought-provoking novel cum memoir about a female protagonist who tries to cope up with the odd lineage of culture, heritage, and social parameters.
The story spirals from the life experiences of the author, stretching a timeline of childhood and adulthood. This book explores the stance of a woman caught in the storm of racial prejudice, immigration discrimination, patriarchal society aspects, domestic violence, and abuse that shake the soul of an innocent being.
The title is mix of English and Urdu. Shaytan means evil. The author had been listening to tales of evils and Jinns pertaining to woman and bride and thus her mind is full of stories of Shaytan bride but little did she know that one day her life will also tread on a way that may bring all these stories back and relate to her. It is a powerful book about interracial marriage, and the author being from a Muslim family she faces the opposition and forced to get married with someone else, whom she does not love. She falls in love with someone out from her religion and caste and that stirs all the problems in her life.
The novel is heavy and intense with lyrical writing pieces in between. It presents a different side of being a forceful bride. A modern tale set that shuttles between Bangladesh and Canada, it surely makes up for a good read.
The story spirals from the life experiences of the author, stretching a timeline of childhood and adulthood. This book explores the stance of a woman caught in the storm of racial prejudice, immigration discrimination, patriarchal society aspects, domestic violence, and abuse that shake the soul of an innocent being.
The title is mix of English and Urdu. Shaytan means evil. The author had been listening to tales of evils and Jinns pertaining to woman and bride and thus her mind is full of stories of Shaytan bride but little did she know that one day her life will also tread on a way that may bring all these stories back and relate to her. It is a powerful book about interracial marriage, and the author being from a Muslim family she faces the opposition and forced to get married with someone else, whom she does not love. She falls in love with someone out from her religion and caste and that stirs all the problems in her life.
The novel is heavy and intense with lyrical writing pieces in between. It presents a different side of being a forceful bride. A modern tale set that shuttles between Bangladesh and Canada, it surely makes up for a good read.
October 26, 2021
This was one of those books I will read over and over again. All those cynics out there who might criticize Sumaiya for writing a "too cutesy" memoir that seems beyond belief are clearly missing the point.
The author touches so very many of her readers because in her honest, open and sincere book, she speaks for many, many, many of us. Even if some of us stay in place to find our healing and learn our life lessons, minds and hearts travel freely.
She takes her readers, along with a story that pulls us along jumping and skipping and running and gasping, not missing a moment, eating and praying and loving right along with her.
Reading about someone's story is very difficult for me, especially because I know I can get emotional easily. This book has my heart and this lady is an inspiration for many. She gave hope, dreams, positivity, and so much motivation. Her story is EXCEPTIONAL! I loved her story and marveled at her style of writing, timing, and delivery. Great job! I've enjoyed her book so much.
I eagerly rush to read more of Sumaiya’s work. She knows how to translate experience into wonderful words, and for one reason above all -- her courage to write honestly about an honest effort to live life well. Most highly and enthusiastically recommended.
The author touches so very many of her readers because in her honest, open and sincere book, she speaks for many, many, many of us. Even if some of us stay in place to find our healing and learn our life lessons, minds and hearts travel freely.
She takes her readers, along with a story that pulls us along jumping and skipping and running and gasping, not missing a moment, eating and praying and loving right along with her.
Reading about someone's story is very difficult for me, especially because I know I can get emotional easily. This book has my heart and this lady is an inspiration for many. She gave hope, dreams, positivity, and so much motivation. Her story is EXCEPTIONAL! I loved her story and marveled at her style of writing, timing, and delivery. Great job! I've enjoyed her book so much.
I eagerly rush to read more of Sumaiya’s work. She knows how to translate experience into wonderful words, and for one reason above all -- her courage to write honestly about an honest effort to live life well. Most highly and enthusiastically recommended.
October 4, 2021
Title: The Shaytan Bride
Author: Sumaiya Matin
My Rating: 5/5
My Review:
🍷The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith 🍷
First of all, I would like to thank Sumaiya for sharing her life journey with the readers. While reading Sumaiya's story, I could relate to some of the instances and her struggles. I appreciate the way the author has elaborated about jinns or Shaytan and given time to time references of them.
Sometimes, we get so haunted by our inner demons that we don't discover ourselves properly. While sharing her life story, Sumaiya has very well managed to include sensitive topics like caste and religion.
This book caught my attention from the first page. It's a rollercoaster read with so many twists and turns in Sumaiya's life. The writing style of the author is nice and is easy to understand. This story has great content thereby making it a must read book. It's an engaging read. Pick it right away. I am sure you won't regret giving your time to this book.
Author: Sumaiya Matin
My Rating: 5/5
My Review:
🍷The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith 🍷
First of all, I would like to thank Sumaiya for sharing her life journey with the readers. While reading Sumaiya's story, I could relate to some of the instances and her struggles. I appreciate the way the author has elaborated about jinns or Shaytan and given time to time references of them.
Sometimes, we get so haunted by our inner demons that we don't discover ourselves properly. While sharing her life story, Sumaiya has very well managed to include sensitive topics like caste and religion.
This book caught my attention from the first page. It's a rollercoaster read with so many twists and turns in Sumaiya's life. The writing style of the author is nice and is easy to understand. This story has great content thereby making it a must read book. It's an engaging read. Pick it right away. I am sure you won't regret giving your time to this book.
September 19, 2021
“Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work”. The line as stated above bears a poignant relationship with the overall context of the book at hand tends to be reflective of a greater meaning which includes forming an independent will that dispels anything that permeates one’s own domain of free will and thought.
Delving further, the length of the book is 348 pages and comes in the form of a memoir of the author who shares her personal insights in the book at hand. The first chapter of the book is titled “The Exorcist” which focuses a lot over the morality laced notions that a woman must abide by to conform to the societal strictures and the same is very well complemented with the elements of temptation, Purity and being one among the herd etc. In addition to the same, the folklore and its description tends to be extremely engaging and fascinating and this also brings attention to the fact that every natural impulse connoting a sense of freedom was considered as a sin and carried consequences. The second chapter of the book brings into account the personal aspect of her life with regards to the prospects of moving to Canada and how her father had a content life in Dhaka as prospects of life looked fairly bright as per him and here also the author details her father’s proclivity towards the spiritual prospects of life and what followed was a feeling of homes being destroyed by a force greater than them and that was the reason why Parakeet left the nest and flew away. As the chapters progress, a sense of journey can be traced from the presentation of the same as each chapter marks either an introduction with something or gives a perfect sense of continuation thereby engaging the reader to be attentive for what comes next for them.
The writing style of the book remains to be quite easy to comprehend and nowhere shows any signs of needless verbosity but comes with apt deal of descriptiveness and the combined effect of all the elements doesn’t make this book a rescue story but one of self identification and independence and how the same intersects with other precepts of life remains to be verily explained and presented thereby making this book a must read for anyone willing to go for a good read.
Delving further, the length of the book is 348 pages and comes in the form of a memoir of the author who shares her personal insights in the book at hand. The first chapter of the book is titled “The Exorcist” which focuses a lot over the morality laced notions that a woman must abide by to conform to the societal strictures and the same is very well complemented with the elements of temptation, Purity and being one among the herd etc. In addition to the same, the folklore and its description tends to be extremely engaging and fascinating and this also brings attention to the fact that every natural impulse connoting a sense of freedom was considered as a sin and carried consequences. The second chapter of the book brings into account the personal aspect of her life with regards to the prospects of moving to Canada and how her father had a content life in Dhaka as prospects of life looked fairly bright as per him and here also the author details her father’s proclivity towards the spiritual prospects of life and what followed was a feeling of homes being destroyed by a force greater than them and that was the reason why Parakeet left the nest and flew away. As the chapters progress, a sense of journey can be traced from the presentation of the same as each chapter marks either an introduction with something or gives a perfect sense of continuation thereby engaging the reader to be attentive for what comes next for them.
The writing style of the book remains to be quite easy to comprehend and nowhere shows any signs of needless verbosity but comes with apt deal of descriptiveness and the combined effect of all the elements doesn’t make this book a rescue story but one of self identification and independence and how the same intersects with other precepts of life remains to be verily explained and presented thereby making this book a must read for anyone willing to go for a good read.
January 28, 2022
While walking around indigo one day my aunt kind of pointed at a book with a strange cover and title, The Shaytan bride and immediately I was drawn to the cover. After glancing at other reviews I noticed others were as well. The cover was a beautiful sight especially for someone that loves gothic, horror or occult like stuff. I grabbed the book and read the back of the book and was slightly disappointed it wasn’t actually a south Asian horror story as the title misled so I put it back on the shelf. A few days later I decided to grab the book and actually give it a chance and im glad I did. The book is prob one of my favourite books I’ve read in the past two years, it’s def up there.
The story is a memoire of the author Sumaiya Matin, a Bengali Canadian who writes about her adventures leaving her homeland of Bangeldesh and immigrating to Canada and the love and loss she has to endure throughout her life.
The writing and language she uses helps paint her entire life and the reader feels for her especially when she’s going through the trials and tribulations in the second part of the book. The shaytan bride in the book is sucha interesting methaphor as well. The sad thing about South Asian society is that an unwed woman is often labeled as someone whose either suffering from some sort of mental ailment or in some cultures and religions “ possessed” by a demon or jinn. The author talks about this in her book not only describing herself but other women too. Also, her forbidden love angle and disapproving family was very Bollywood like and I’m a sucker for those kind of things but the sad thing is in this case it was real and for her it was horrific.
There were parts of the book where I couldn’t believe she would go through the stuff she went to for her partner but she said it best in a part of her book where she described as love being a fierce storm and sometimes emotions and rational thinking are thrown out the window. Another aspect that I loved about the book is when she described how changed her relationship with her partner had become after they broke up, that the love they had each other birthed a different kind of gift, a gift of friendship.
I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.
The story is a memoire of the author Sumaiya Matin, a Bengali Canadian who writes about her adventures leaving her homeland of Bangeldesh and immigrating to Canada and the love and loss she has to endure throughout her life.
The writing and language she uses helps paint her entire life and the reader feels for her especially when she’s going through the trials and tribulations in the second part of the book. The shaytan bride in the book is sucha interesting methaphor as well. The sad thing about South Asian society is that an unwed woman is often labeled as someone whose either suffering from some sort of mental ailment or in some cultures and religions “ possessed” by a demon or jinn. The author talks about this in her book not only describing herself but other women too. Also, her forbidden love angle and disapproving family was very Bollywood like and I’m a sucker for those kind of things but the sad thing is in this case it was real and for her it was horrific.
There were parts of the book where I couldn’t believe she would go through the stuff she went to for her partner but she said it best in a part of her book where she described as love being a fierce storm and sometimes emotions and rational thinking are thrown out the window. Another aspect that I loved about the book is when she described how changed her relationship with her partner had become after they broke up, that the love they had each other birthed a different kind of gift, a gift of friendship.
I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.
October 4, 2021
BOOK REVIEW: The Shaytan Bride
Sumaiya Matin's "The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith" is a must read. As a child, Sumaiya has heard many stories about the Shaytan Bride. She wasn't sure that they were true or myth. But after growing up, at the time of her own wedding, she experienced the story closely.
While living in Dhaka, Bangladesh Sumaiya has heard stories of jinns. The bad jinns are akin to the devil, the Shayṭān. Sumaiya's family in Dhaka was having a conversation about moving to Canada. Her Abbu was satisfied with the stable life in Dhaka and didn't want to go. But her Boro Mama had already convinced her mother and soon they moved to Canada. In Thunder Bay, Sumaiya fell in love with uttering English letter sounds properly.
Her father also enrolled in college to complete his degree in computer programming. Reading about references to Shayṭān Bride in different situations was amazing. This is a great story that told me a lot about immigration, culture, our inner demons, etc. This book is hard to put down. Cover photo is very attractive.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Sumaiya Matin's "The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith" is a must read. As a child, Sumaiya has heard many stories about the Shaytan Bride. She wasn't sure that they were true or myth. But after growing up, at the time of her own wedding, she experienced the story closely.
While living in Dhaka, Bangladesh Sumaiya has heard stories of jinns. The bad jinns are akin to the devil, the Shayṭān. Sumaiya's family in Dhaka was having a conversation about moving to Canada. Her Abbu was satisfied with the stable life in Dhaka and didn't want to go. But her Boro Mama had already convinced her mother and soon they moved to Canada. In Thunder Bay, Sumaiya fell in love with uttering English letter sounds properly.
Her father also enrolled in college to complete his degree in computer programming. Reading about references to Shayṭān Bride in different situations was amazing. This is a great story that told me a lot about immigration, culture, our inner demons, etc. This book is hard to put down. Cover photo is very attractive.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
September 8, 2021
Purchase Link of the Book-
https://www.bookdepository.com/Shayta...
The title & the cover of the book did stir me to read this book & I am glad I did.
The narrative or story is about the author and she does mention it's non fiction.
The story is of a little 6 year old girl who reluctantly moves along with her Abbu & Amma to Canada from Dhaka. There is has her ups and down of being a Muslim immigrants but ends up mostly empowered instead of being oppresed.
The shaytan bride is supposedly an old wives tales of women who are strong or speak their mind or rebels or anything else what the society doesn't want them to be. The little girl has been hearing the story from her Dhaka days.
Now when she has become empowered in Canada and has seen the world enough, what does her family think of her? What does she think of Dhaka which she has left far behind? Does Dhaka come calling to her?
The story is very intriguing, the writing is very engrossing and I did feel the beginning and the ending of the book were very emotional. The leaving of Dhaka, a 6 year old girl leaving her parakeet, the father and daughter bond, all these aspects were really written beautifully.
The writing style though easy to read, it also was sharp and crisp, the author has done very well with character building and event descriptions.
Overall an excellent book and one must read it for its story line and also for the cultural disbalance we have in our society or world.
https://www.bookdepository.com/Shayta...
The title & the cover of the book did stir me to read this book & I am glad I did.
The narrative or story is about the author and she does mention it's non fiction.
The story is of a little 6 year old girl who reluctantly moves along with her Abbu & Amma to Canada from Dhaka. There is has her ups and down of being a Muslim immigrants but ends up mostly empowered instead of being oppresed.
The shaytan bride is supposedly an old wives tales of women who are strong or speak their mind or rebels or anything else what the society doesn't want them to be. The little girl has been hearing the story from her Dhaka days.
Now when she has become empowered in Canada and has seen the world enough, what does her family think of her? What does she think of Dhaka which she has left far behind? Does Dhaka come calling to her?
The story is very intriguing, the writing is very engrossing and I did feel the beginning and the ending of the book were very emotional. The leaving of Dhaka, a 6 year old girl leaving her parakeet, the father and daughter bond, all these aspects were really written beautifully.
The writing style though easy to read, it also was sharp and crisp, the author has done very well with character building and event descriptions.
Overall an excellent book and one must read it for its story line and also for the cultural disbalance we have in our society or world.
December 3, 2021
This book is based on the facts of the author’s life in which she has shared some personal experiences of his life. She moved with his family from Dhaka, Bangladesh to Ontario when she was six. Through her excursion into adulthood, she fights herself and her conditions to separate among fate and freedom of thought. At a Teenager age, she falls in love with someone but her family denies her love and is forced to marriage with someone who belongs to her community. She navigates through love and violence, trauma and healing, and faith and family.
I appreciate the author as she penned down her struggle and ups and that she faced in life. She is also mention in this memoir that she had to take tough decisions for his freedom and faced many unpredictable challenges. The author has beautifully written her life moments and experiences and her writing attitude is Outstanding. This story has touched my heart and soul and I assure you will definitely love this.
This is a great memoir to have on hand whenever you need a little pick-me-up or a dose of inspiration. This inspiring memoir will make a wonderful gift for a woman at any point during her life. Overall, I found this memoir interesting and thought-provoking.
The language of this book is simple and easy to understand. If we talk about the Cover and title, it is a little bit scary but attracts the reader and increase the curiosity in readers to read this book.
I appreciate the author as she penned down her struggle and ups and that she faced in life. She is also mention in this memoir that she had to take tough decisions for his freedom and faced many unpredictable challenges. The author has beautifully written her life moments and experiences and her writing attitude is Outstanding. This story has touched my heart and soul and I assure you will definitely love this.
This is a great memoir to have on hand whenever you need a little pick-me-up or a dose of inspiration. This inspiring memoir will make a wonderful gift for a woman at any point during her life. Overall, I found this memoir interesting and thought-provoking.
The language of this book is simple and easy to understand. If we talk about the Cover and title, it is a little bit scary but attracts the reader and increase the curiosity in readers to read this book.
September 7, 2021
Title-The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith
Author- Sumaiya Matin
Review:
The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith by Sumaiya Matin is an emotional yet powerful memoir of a woman whose childhood stories of Shaytan brides replay out in her real life making for a petty solid nightmare fuel.
The book chronicles the journey of a simple Muslim girl from Bangladesh to a place so alien to her own, Canada. It captures her history, personal diary of suffering by her own family by throwing her into a forced marriage and gives a glimpse of culture, mentality and human nature of kindness and humility. Walking a tightrope and making a fine balance between desire , love and faith, it documents author’s resilience and strength to overcome difficulties and accomplish her dreams.
Peppered with history, politics and religion, the book touches the vital themes of freedom, choice, sexism, womanhood and patriarchy in our society. It challenges the control of men over women’s behaviour, body and choice.
Overall, it’s a Very moving and thought provoking story of courage, determination and survival. I found the whole package perfectly put together, balanced and fascinating. Some descriptions were beautifully and lyrically written. Wishing success, love and light to the author in her life!
Author- Sumaiya Matin
Review:
The Shaytan Bride: A Bangladeshi Canadian Memoir of Desire and Faith by Sumaiya Matin is an emotional yet powerful memoir of a woman whose childhood stories of Shaytan brides replay out in her real life making for a petty solid nightmare fuel.
The book chronicles the journey of a simple Muslim girl from Bangladesh to a place so alien to her own, Canada. It captures her history, personal diary of suffering by her own family by throwing her into a forced marriage and gives a glimpse of culture, mentality and human nature of kindness and humility. Walking a tightrope and making a fine balance between desire , love and faith, it documents author’s resilience and strength to overcome difficulties and accomplish her dreams.
Peppered with history, politics and religion, the book touches the vital themes of freedom, choice, sexism, womanhood and patriarchy in our society. It challenges the control of men over women’s behaviour, body and choice.
Overall, it’s a Very moving and thought provoking story of courage, determination and survival. I found the whole package perfectly put together, balanced and fascinating. Some descriptions were beautifully and lyrically written. Wishing success, love and light to the author in her life!
September 8, 2021
Possibly one of the most interesting aspects of this memoir is that we get to in a way witness the author's experience and inner most thoughts about all the things she went through. How her family didn't accept her interracial relationship and forced her into marriage. An intimate, vulnerable and meditative account of a long journey of author invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her, from her childhood to adulthood. All of the author's experience gave this account a realistic impression.
This is what reading should be! Turning from page to page, absolutely and completely emotionally invested in the character and feeling like you're right there, experiencing things through their eyes, their fingers and their brains even. With unerring honesty, author has told her story as she has lived it. The book is engaging and emotional with vivid descriptions of violence against women, racism, politics, love and family, immigration, different cultures and communities, and how the society binds us into shackles of expectations. I am impressed with how the author made this book authentic enough without losing me. You need to read this hard-hitting story to know more about the meaning behind the title.
This is what reading should be! Turning from page to page, absolutely and completely emotionally invested in the character and feeling like you're right there, experiencing things through their eyes, their fingers and their brains even. With unerring honesty, author has told her story as she has lived it. The book is engaging and emotional with vivid descriptions of violence against women, racism, politics, love and family, immigration, different cultures and communities, and how the society binds us into shackles of expectations. I am impressed with how the author made this book authentic enough without losing me. You need to read this hard-hitting story to know more about the meaning behind the title.
April 1, 2022
This book is a beacon of hope.
I am captivated by Sumaiya’s courageous story, but also by the power of this book to inspire, enlighten, and make a difference in the world.
Sumaiya’s story is much more than a memoir, it is brilliantly layered. She challenges stereotypes, provokes questions, and explores themes around tradition, culture, patriarchy, oppression, religion and more. I love that she weaves in Bangladeshi words and phrases, painting the culture so vividly so that it comes alive on the page.
What sticks with me most is how beautifully she embraces, and writes about, her spirituality. Despite suffering at the hands of her own family, forced to marry a stranger, she holds on to her faith, exploring what it means to her. In Sumaiya’s intimate reflections, I feel the strength of her spiritual connection, as it helps guide her through the darkness. Sharing words and prayer, she simultaneously brings light to the beauty and truths of her religion.
And through her brave battle to free herself, she carries hope to women everywhere.
Sumaiya has a way of getting to the heart of the human experience that connects us all. And connection is what we need more than ever in our world today.
Thank you Sumaiya for sharing this brave and beautiful story.
I am captivated by Sumaiya’s courageous story, but also by the power of this book to inspire, enlighten, and make a difference in the world.
Sumaiya’s story is much more than a memoir, it is brilliantly layered. She challenges stereotypes, provokes questions, and explores themes around tradition, culture, patriarchy, oppression, religion and more. I love that she weaves in Bangladeshi words and phrases, painting the culture so vividly so that it comes alive on the page.
What sticks with me most is how beautifully she embraces, and writes about, her spirituality. Despite suffering at the hands of her own family, forced to marry a stranger, she holds on to her faith, exploring what it means to her. In Sumaiya’s intimate reflections, I feel the strength of her spiritual connection, as it helps guide her through the darkness. Sharing words and prayer, she simultaneously brings light to the beauty and truths of her religion.
And through her brave battle to free herself, she carries hope to women everywhere.
Sumaiya has a way of getting to the heart of the human experience that connects us all. And connection is what we need more than ever in our world today.
Thank you Sumaiya for sharing this brave and beautiful story.
June 30, 2022
In this gripping story of love, loss, faith, family keeping and trading traditions, Sumaiya gave a reflective voice to her 19 year old self. She showed authenticity, vulnerability bravery, determination and triumph.
While this is Sumaiya own story it has resonance in different ways to our respective life journeys. The power of this novel is that it causes us to pause, rethink, reimagine and reevaluate our values, beliefs and how we demonstrate them. It has inspired us to invest the time to consider what it means to show love, support and encouragement in response to what others, not ourselves, need and when.
Further, this book established that good intentions alone are not enough. Good intentions without considering the impact on the receiver could, as was clearly demonstrated in this story, lead to hurt, harm and trauma. That is because those intentions were self centred and imposed. Regardless of who we are, what our cultural background is and where we live, this story, told from a 19 year old self, reiterated an universal truth. That is, only unconditional love leads to acceptance, respect and reconciliation.
Thank you and congratulations Sumaiya for your courage. Anxiously awaiting your next book.
While this is Sumaiya own story it has resonance in different ways to our respective life journeys. The power of this novel is that it causes us to pause, rethink, reimagine and reevaluate our values, beliefs and how we demonstrate them. It has inspired us to invest the time to consider what it means to show love, support and encouragement in response to what others, not ourselves, need and when.
Further, this book established that good intentions alone are not enough. Good intentions without considering the impact on the receiver could, as was clearly demonstrated in this story, lead to hurt, harm and trauma. That is because those intentions were self centred and imposed. Regardless of who we are, what our cultural background is and where we live, this story, told from a 19 year old self, reiterated an universal truth. That is, only unconditional love leads to acceptance, respect and reconciliation.
Thank you and congratulations Sumaiya for your courage. Anxiously awaiting your next book.
September 5, 2021
God!
Unable to find the perfect word to start with. And that's when the thought of God's presence popped up in my head.
This one's an unusual read truly. Every book I come across, have something common in other books of the same genre but this book is a kind of read which can give rise to a new category on its own. A thoroughly detailed novel with terms unheard ever before.
I can barely imagine the efforts author would have planned of placing in, for this book. It's like the author has pulled in and placed a bet by placing all of her efforts at stake. It's a well deserving read with such a powerful content which truly is rare.
Shaytan not only means evil but there's more to every single thing we come across in our daily life.
The characterization process used to bring up Manshoor, Bhav, Maryam, Shoaib and plenty more to explore by a reader which can be a thing possible only when the book is finally in the hands during a dark night ahead.
A rich book with content totally appealing right from the cover page and the title of the book which actually is horrifying to a certain extent.
Unable to find the perfect word to start with. And that's when the thought of God's presence popped up in my head.
This one's an unusual read truly. Every book I come across, have something common in other books of the same genre but this book is a kind of read which can give rise to a new category on its own. A thoroughly detailed novel with terms unheard ever before.
I can barely imagine the efforts author would have planned of placing in, for this book. It's like the author has pulled in and placed a bet by placing all of her efforts at stake. It's a well deserving read with such a powerful content which truly is rare.
Shaytan not only means evil but there's more to every single thing we come across in our daily life.
The characterization process used to bring up Manshoor, Bhav, Maryam, Shoaib and plenty more to explore by a reader which can be a thing possible only when the book is finally in the hands during a dark night ahead.
A rich book with content totally appealing right from the cover page and the title of the book which actually is horrifying to a certain extent.
September 18, 2021
What are your thoughts on the title and the cover photo of this book?
There are very few stories that have the power to catch the reader's attention from the first page. The Shaytan Bride is one such book. The story is about the author's life of finding herself. She moved from Dhaka to Canada. Then, a vacation to Dhaka had something unexpected for her. Sumaiya was forced into a marriage and was left with no choice but to run away. In childhood, she has heard stories about eccentric women that were possessed by jinns. She named those women The Shaytan Bride.
Her life wasn't easy when she fell in love with a man who wasn't accepted by her family. But their love for each other is true and deep. Sumaiya's life story is worth reading. The story is gripping. I am sure it's gonna stay in my head for a long time. After looking at the cover of this book, I was curious to read this book. Also, the title made me wonder what The Shaytan Bride could be? The story is a little lengthy but it's worth your time and money. A good book to binge read on weekends. I am excited to read the next book by the author.
There are very few stories that have the power to catch the reader's attention from the first page. The Shaytan Bride is one such book. The story is about the author's life of finding herself. She moved from Dhaka to Canada. Then, a vacation to Dhaka had something unexpected for her. Sumaiya was forced into a marriage and was left with no choice but to run away. In childhood, she has heard stories about eccentric women that were possessed by jinns. She named those women The Shaytan Bride.
Her life wasn't easy when she fell in love with a man who wasn't accepted by her family. But their love for each other is true and deep. Sumaiya's life story is worth reading. The story is gripping. I am sure it's gonna stay in my head for a long time. After looking at the cover of this book, I was curious to read this book. Also, the title made me wonder what The Shaytan Bride could be? The story is a little lengthy but it's worth your time and money. A good book to binge read on weekends. I am excited to read the next book by the author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews