Contrarily, I can see exactly why this got published. It was riding on a wave of interest in Arab-Americans and terrorism. The biggest *risk* it took was addressing those issues. Everything else seems designed specifically for political-correctness.
I wish authors would realize that being PC does not mean making all minority individuals perfect to make up for years of stereotyping. Perfect is also a stereotype. (And, erm, so is the traditional character seem in Fatma). I think I also would have been frustrated, not just with this book as a story, but with the shallow way in which it deals with people and issues.
You have a point about both why it got published and about political correctness. I think for one, we go overabundant with the concept of political correctness. I think that's one reason why I have never been a big fan of political correctness. With literature for example, we can lose really good characterization, because of wanting to look political correct. This is not to say that I agree with be bigoted, either. I just believe in being realistic.
The cover of this book is gorgeous and the tagline intriguing - I probably would have picked it up thinking that it would have been something that I'd want to read, but reading your review of it makes me think twice about it. Though I'd probably have read a good way into it in the bookstore before buying it if some of those issues come up in the first 75 pages or so. (Preachy prose is a turn off point for me too.)
The cover of this book is gorgeous and the tagline intriguing - I probably would have picked it up thinking that it would have been something that I'd want to read
You know, those were the same reasons I picked it up in the first place.
Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment. Just kidding, or it might be a real reason. I'm just glad I only spent a quarter on it. At least it wasn't a huge waste.
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I wish authors would realize that being PC does not mean making all minority individuals perfect to make up for years of stereotyping. Perfect is also a stereotype. (And, erm, so is the traditional character seem in Fatma). I think I also would have been frustrated, not just with this book as a story, but with the shallow way in which it deals with people and issues.
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So, actually I agree with what you said.
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You know, those were the same reasons I picked it up in the first place.
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I was so glad it was a library book and not one I'd actually bought.
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