Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalauddin

This past month, I read “Ayesha at Last” by Uzma Jalaluddin.

I discovered this book through Tiktok. For this reason, I showed slight hesitation about reading it because I was afraid it would be “overhyped.” I avoided having high hopes before beginning this novel, so I wouldn’t be disappointed. However, I shouldn’t have worried because my expectations were exceeded.

This book is a tale about discovering oneself, navigating romantic and familial relationships, and finding joy in life’s small treasures. It followed to main characters - a Muslim woman named Ayesha and a Muslim man named Khalid - as they try to navigate through life, while slowly falling in love with each other. I loved that this was written by a Muslim author because Jalaluddin managed to perfectly capture Islamic culture in a positive manner.

This is extremely important to

me, since the majority of Muslim appearances in mainstream shows and books are stereotypical. They are often inaccurate representations that highlight outside biases of Islam, instead of simply focusing on its inherent beauty. Jalaluddin paves a new path for Muslim depictions by creating a plotline that tackles various adversities experienced by POC residing in predominately white communities.

As a Muslim-American myself, I can relate to the struggles endured by Ayesha and Khalid. These struggles were internal and external, as both main characters experienced judgment from their own families, alongside outsiders. I thought the methods they used to navigate these tough situations was highly admirable.

One of my favorite moments was when Khalid finally acknowledged and condemned the racism he was experiencing at work because of his preference for wearing religious attire. I loved how vividly his displeasure and anger were captured in this situation. This shows that Jalaluddin manages to convey the characters’ raw emotions in an authentic manner, which leads to readers forming personal connections with each character.

I appreciated how no one in the book was described as “perfect”; each individual had his/her own flaws that were openly discussed. These imperfections made the characters seem more “real” and allowed me to resonate with their actions. I truly believe these characters can serve as role models for POC readers who may be facing similar struggles.

On a lighter note, I loved Jalaluddin’s writing style. The words seem to flow together on the pages, making this story fun and easy to read. I haven’t read many romantic comedies that centered around brown culture, so it was pleasing to see my cultural traditions mentioned throughout the book.

Another one of my favorite moments was when the characters went to Jummah prayer at the Masjid, which is a common occurrence in the Islamic faith. Furthermore, I loved the ethnic food and clothing mentioned throughout the book because it allowed me to form a bond with the characters. It truly felt refreshing when Jalaluddin incorporated universal experiences undergone by (most) brown young adults living outside of their home countries.

I would also like to mention that this book is perfect for non-Muslim readers as well. As previously stated, this novel discusses many important topics and strives to educate others about Islamic culture. It’s a fun read if you want to learn about a lifestyle that differs from yours. Overall, I would give this book 4.5 stars. My only complaint was that I wish the perspectives of all the characters were included, instead of merely switching between Ayesha and Khalid’s point of views. However, I really liked the storyline, which contained many plot twists, so I would encourage everyone to read it.

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Would you read this book?

• Yes
• No