May 20, 2024
By Amerie Diaz
Staff Writer
Young adult fantasy author Sabaa Tahir made her foray into contemporary fiction with her 2022 release “All My Rage,” a novel that follows two Pakistani Muslim teenagers on the brink of adulthood.
The book is divided into four parts, each containing lines from Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, “One Art,” about recovering from loss. The novel alternates between two settings, one set in Lahore, Pakistan in the past, and the other in Juniper, California, a fictional town inspired by the Mojave Desert, in the present.
With his mother likely to die soon from kidney disease and his father battling alcoholism, 18-year-old Sal’s life has become increasingly difficult. His parents can hardly keep the family business afloat, so Sal feels he must take charge. Desperate to help his parents, he starts selling drugs.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Noor reluctantly helps her uncle manage his liquor store. She would rather focus on her senior year and prepare for college. However, her uncle wants her to stay in Juniper forever and continue working for him.
When Noor was a six year old living in Pakistan, an earthquake struck her family’s neighborhood. Since she was the sole survivor, her uncle, whom she calls Chachu, rescued her. He brought her to California, sacrificing his education and internship in engineering. Consequently, Noor feels guilty about disobeying his strict rules.
To an outsider, everything appears normal between Noor and her uncle, but their relationship is far from that. What nobody else knows is that Noor’s uncle is abusive, hitting and belittling her in addition to urging her to give up her culture and religion.
Sal and Noor have been friends since kindergarten. As the only Pakistani kids in town, they have always felt like outsiders and find comfort in each other. However, in the fall, they got into an argument that caused them to stop talking to each other.
Sal and Noor’s relationship shows that friendships are rarely straightforward or perfect. At their lowest points, they realize how much they need each other and learn to forgive each other, though miscommunication persists.
Tahir does an excellent job portraying Sal and Noor as authentic and relatable teenagers. Like many teens, they struggle with family issues, school pressures and questions of identity. Yet, “All My Rage” is more than just a novel about two teenagers with friendship issues.
Tahir bravely tackles heavy topics such as abuse, addiction, drugs, Islamophobia, racism and repressed sexual assault.
The book also examines the costs of the American dream and the challenges of the immigrant experience. These topics are presented in a raw and honest way, which may not be suitable for every reader but provides necessary insight into the difficulties of the characters’ lives.
Culture and religion play a role in the novel because of the characters’ backgrounds as Pakistani Muslims. The book references Pakistani food and traditions and includes scenes where the characters go to the mosque or seek guidance from their imam.
Noor’s heritage and religion are especially important to her because, as an immigrant, they help her maintain a sense of identity and belonging. Even though her uncle dismisses her religion, it remains a source of comfort and strength.
Sal and Noor’s relationship shows that friendships are rarely straightforward or perfect.
The alternating timelines in “All My Rage” create a compelling reading experience. Through Sal’s mother Misbah’s point of view, readers are transported to her youth in Pakistan before and after her marriage. The contrast between her hopes and dreams as a young woman versus the reality her son experiences is striking.
A memorable moment from Misbah’s perspective occurs at the beginning of the book when she reflects on her prayers for a gentle husband, only to realize when she is sick and dying that she should have prayed for an “unbroken” one because of her husband’s alcoholism.
Tahir’s versatility and talent as a writer shine brightly in this timeless and moving novel. There is a reason “All My Rage” has received multiple prestigious book awards, including the 2022 National Book Award and the 2023 Printz Award.
With her fifth book, Tahir has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with in the young adult fiction genre.
