Reviewed by Clare Brook
Reality and magical realism blended to create a nail biter plot concerning life for a Muslim girl in a private and very conservative American College. This sums up The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue by Zoulfa Katouh. It connects stereotypical attitudes with the lived experience of those from another culture. It might come across as a bit heavy at times, but this is set in America not Australia. So it is hard to judge. Although that said, this novel is all about not judging, rather listening.
Listening to Jihad’s story is stressful. Her father gave everything he had so she could study at an exclusive college in New York, where she experiences strong anti-Islamic attitudes. And her name is not helping. Jihad means to strive, to battle something big; she was given this name because she fought to survive a difficult birth. The knee jerk reaction from students and staff alike is to associate the name with radical jihadists, perhaps understandably given the post 9/11 climate and on-going politics in the Middle East; although that is never mentioned. Jihad must battle to survive in this school in order to be accepted into a prestigious art college in San Franscico.
There is only one person who researches Islam, Jamie, a charismatic boy who is very popular with the girls. Whereas his friendship is needed, it also presents a problem as he clearly likes Jihad, so jealousy is added to the racist mix with dire results.
This is a gripping novel that illustrates how cruelly racism impacts individual lives. Western characters, their values and attitudes are painted with broad strokes, whereas every detail of Jihad’s family is discussed. Jihad seems very much the victim, particularly as her mother has died in horrifying circumstances. Although she refuses to be seen as a victim, but does not really stand up for herself, not allowing the editor of the school magazine to write about her experiences until the final few chapters. There is no debate between characters, just hate and Jihad’s endurance, except for Jamie who is a shining star in the novel.
Magical realism is difficult to achieve while maintaining the reality of plot and setting; Katouh is masterful in achieving this, every element just flows naturally in prose that is a pleasure to read.
The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue is a middle school novel that deserves to be widely read.
by Zoulfa Katouh
Bloomsbury
Paperback
ISBN: 978 1 5266 4858 7
$18.00; 350pp