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Saffron Dreams

Shaila Abdullah
Loving Healing Press (2009)
ISBN 978774549980
Reviewed by Sandie Kirkland for RebeccasReads (11/08)

Shaila Abdullah's “Saffron Dreams” is a fascinating look at how events can quickly change a life forever.  Arissa Illahi, the book's main character, is a Muslim woman caught between ancient traditions and the modern world.  She comes from a wealthy family.  Her father is a surgeon who believes in education for his daughters, so Arissa is able to get a college education.   Yet, opposed to this modern outlook is the pull of ancient traditions.  A matchmaker arranges Arissa’s marriage, and she marries her husband having only talked to him twice.  After the wedding, she finds that her marriage becomes the focus of her life, and she loves her husband deeply. 

In 2001, she is content.  Her marriage is stable, and she is pregnant with her first child.  The only problem is that her husband, a writer, has not found success yet and must work as a waiter.  His work is in the World Trade Center, and he is there when the planes hit in the 9-11 attack.  In an instance, Arissa loses her husband and the life she has known.  She must now decide how to live the rest of her life, and how to raise the child that will never know his father.  She discovers a manuscript her husband had written, and while reading it, begins to create the new life she will lead.

Saffron Dreams is a compelling look into another culture and into how we each can build the life we were meant to live.  The writing is lyrical and pulls the reader along quickly.  One focus I found interesting was looking at the tragedy of 9-11 through the eyes of an American immigrant.  The days after the attack were filled with hate and suffering, and some of this was focused at any Muslim available.  Many never considered how horrifying it would be to be a Muslim, ashamed of what the fanatics of their religion had done, and terrified about whether the prejudice and anger on display would be targeted against them.  The thread of Muslim beliefs in a modern world, and how women especially balance ancient and modern traditions, is a fresh, different viewpoint.  Finally, the self-affirmation that we can handle whatever life throws at us is valuable.  I enjoyed this book and will recommend it to others.

  

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