The Loophole, a novel by Naz Kutub published in June, 2022, is a surprisingly original retelling of the Aladdin story with compelling characters who deal with issues like islamophobia and homophobia. Its protagonist, Sayyed, is an Indian Muslim teenager whose boyfriend left Los Angeles (and the North American continent) three months ago, to teach English in far-off countries. Sayyed works at a coffee shop with his friend, Dzakir, until the rich, powerful, and ever-drunk Reggie offers to grant him three wishes in exchange for his lunch. Once his father realizes that Sayyed is gay and has had a boyfriend behind his back for nearly two years, he kicks him out, and Sy uses his second of three wishes (as his first one was the standard $1 million) to find his ex-boyfriend, Farouk, and win him back with Reggie’s help. Over the course of the book, he and Reggie travel the world, break a few laws, and learn more about each other and themselves. Sayyed is a very interesting character, stuck between his love for his traditional family and his ex. He cares so much about his sister and his Umi, but his Baba makes it very hard for him to live his life comfortably. He wants to spend the rest of his days with Farouk, but his own fears hold him back. With every cab ride, flight, or adrenaline-fueled sprint, he has to choose between his past and his future, his love or his family, and whether or not he should give up hope entirely. Unfortunately, Sy is demonized by many, not just his father. As he wanders the world in search of Farouk, he realizes just how hard life is for people who are Muslim, South Asian, or Middle Eastern—not just in LA, but everywhere. He witnesses riots condemning people like him, faces government officials who see everyone who looks like him as a threat, and experiences internal doubts about what it means to be gay and Muslim. The plot is captivating, the characters are worth cheering for, and the ending blows readers away. If you enjoy fantasy novels with a twist, The Loophole should be on your reading list. The Loophole by Naz Kutub. Bloomsbury YA, 2022. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Book Reviews
Book Review: The Book Thief
The Book Thief was an intriguing read from start to finish. The minute I opened the cover and saw the words “Death and Chocolate” at the top of the first page, I was curious. The Book Thief is about a girl, Leisel Meminger, growing up in Germany during World War Two. When I say that, you probably are thinking “she was Jewish” or “she stood up to the Nazis, and fought bravely, but was killed.” But Leisel is a regular German girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes, with nothing that directly sets her apart as a Nazi target. But just because she’s not a target of the Nazis doesn’t mean that her life is perfect, or even normal. But still, growing up during World War Two, especially under the watchful eye of Adolf Hitler, was never easy. And Leisel’s life has its own share of troubles aside from the war. In the very beginning of the book, she witnesses the death of her younger brother, Werner Memminger. This is of course a horrific thing for a young girl to watch, but what comes after is just as heartbreaking. Leisel’s mother abandons her, and allows her to be adopted by another German family. Leisel is sent to the Hubbermans, who live on Himmel Street. They are to be her new family, but even from the beginning, she keeps an important secret. She is a book thief. She stole a book right after her brother’s funeral. It is called A Gravedigger’s Handbook. Thus starts Leisel’s book-thieving journey, and with it the journey of a little girl, growing into a young woman, surrounded by Adolf Hitler’s men. Her and Herr Hubberman, who she calls Papa, are very close, and she loves him dearly. Rosa Hubberman, who she calls Mama, often calls her pig or other language, but she loves Liesel, she just has a funny way of showing it. Then, there’s Leisel’s best friend, Rudy. Rudy wants to be an Olympic athlete, like Jesse Owens, but he’ll settle for a book-thievery or two with Leisel. The Book Thief is told from the perspective of Death. But it is as if Death is like a Greek god, a sentient being, not just a thing that happens. And most people think the book will be horribly violent, and Death will gloat over the bodies of the deceased. War and death always go hand in hand, don’t they? But Death is exhausted by the war. He’s angry at the people fighting for causing him so much work. He does not rejoice when someone dies. He is not evil. This book’s unique perspective gives it a whole new feel that I have never found in any other book. It is different and exciting. And Markus Zusak writes in a way that keeps you hooked from the first word to the last. Zusak is also a master at interesting characters. From the main character, Leisel, to Rudy to Rosa Hubberman to Max, Liesel’s other best friend, each character has complex personalities and layers, and the combination of the select characters is part of what makes the book so good. There are some parts of the book that get a bit dark, considering the time period. But overall, the good parts definitely outweighed the bad, and made The Book Thief a unique and memorable read. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Alfred A. Knopf, 2007. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Amulet: The Stonekeeper (Book One), Reviewed by Pragnya, 13
Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibushi is the gripping first installment of an eight-part graphic novel series about Emily and Navin Hayes, who, after the death of their father, move into a new house, which soon turns into a house full of secrets after Emily discovers a sentient amulet in the library. Soon after, her mother is captured by a creature beyond the realms of realism and the siblings embark on an adventure to save their mother, and with the help of robots like Cogsley, Miskit, Morrie and Theodor, uncover a legacy far more mystical than they could ever imagine. I especially enjoyed how Amulet managed to subvert popular fantasy tropes like that of “the chosen one,” while not drawing away from their core themes. Every character has their own quirks and I particularly enjoyed Miskit’s characterization as the alluded-to most faithful member of Charon House. Amulet also does a masterful job of using “show not tell,” while also having a world that is easy to understand. Using elements of drama, suspense, dialogue and character expressions, I found myself getting rapidly attached to the premise, as well as everything inside it. The twins’ personalities found me rereading the book constantly finding more of myself and people I know, their dynamic with each other very relatable and refreshing. With vibrant character design, succinct world-building, and a fascinating narrative, Amulet is a graphic novel that is easy to latch onto but very hard to let go of. Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibushi. Graphix, 2008. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
