Butterfly Wings

About the Book

A poignant tale about life, love and loss:

When Fatima is left alienated and alone after her divorce, she grapples with her new reality and struggles to find her new place in society. Yet she is forced on a journey to rediscover what is important to her; a journey that will teach her, not only about herself; but about others close to her, about the kindness of strangers, and about life itself.

Now Available at the following bookstores:

-  Al-Huda Bookstore-Mayfair, Johannesburg
- M.I. Nana- Oriental Plaza, Johannesburg
- Cii Stores- Lenasia 


Email zhassem1@yahoo.com / zhassem@hotmail.com to buy a copy directly from the author... OR

Contact the Publisher to order a copy: 
http://www.asnislamicbooks.com/
Email: asnoordeen@yahoo.com

Book Review | Butterfly Wings

This Book review is re-posted here. It was originally written by fellow blogger Fatima Haffejee, you can read the original here.

I have to say a huge Thank You to Fatima for this great review, I do feel that she was over generous, but hey, I’m not complaining, I’m just happy that people are enjoying reading this.

IF YOU'VE READ THE BOOK PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!

JazakAllah Khayr to Fatima and anyone else who has read the book!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Book Review | Butterfly Wings

By Fatima Haffejee

It is not often that writers get it right.

We strike a chord, play on empathy, create visual scenario’s and then some, but we sometimes question whether we’ve struck the perfect balance.

Recently I've taken to reading books by South African authors. Whilst it’s no secret that Jonathan Kellerman is one of my all time favourite writers and given a choice between mystery and romance, the former would be an uncontested preference, I refrain from limiting myself.

It would be so unfair to the literacy world that awaits us if we restricted ourselves to one such author or a specific genre.

Patriotism is all well and good but when it comes to feeding my soul I’m most certainly selective. So it’s refreshing to note that SA writers are comparatively equal in rank to international names and for thing reason amongst many others I’d shout out ‘proudly SA’ if need be.

In colloquial terms Butterfly Wings definitely ‘calls it.’

I am a compulsive person when it comes to certain aspects (read: when it suits me). I feel guilty to leave an open packet of gums half-eaten. It plagues me to such an extent that I don’t stop until I’ve eaten all the mummies and her babies.

Blame our parents for telling us that the mummy lump of food was crying for her baby lumps unless we settle the score by eating the rest of her family.

To ensure that they are reunited within the linings of our stomach.

This book was much like that packet of gums. It took me all of one afternoon to read because (and as a means of confession) I was so gripped by the story as it enfolded.

As a Muslim women living amidst societal norms that govern our being I found I was easily able to relate with Fatima’s loss of hope, her frantic attempts at redemption and her internalization of the happiness that is our own to discover.

Fatima, a 25 year old woman finds herself divorced after 6 years of marriage. She wallows in her misery, pushing herself deeper into a self contained hole when she discovers that people aren’t who they say they are (isn’t that always just the case).

Hassem encapsulates Fatima’s emotion after her divorce with such realistic appeal.

 There is no point in the book where I thought ‘there is no way this happens’. The love-hate relationship with her parents, the stigma that she faces as a result and the love that blossoms despite the cultural barrier in Indian society was so well placed that it doesn’t prove difficult to identify with the main character herself.

Honestly, I've known Zarina for some 6 years now and reading her book made me admire her to unthinkable capacity.

 I have read several other South African authors that have written on the topic of stereotypes in the Indian/Muslim society, the abuse that plagues us behind closed doors and the cultural norms that thwarts its women and labels it men but none of whom struck the perfect balance.

Zarina has condensed all this and more with  integrity and wisdom.

One day I’d like my own daughter to read this book.

So she too can be appreciative of the land that is ours and the amazing writers that have been borne of it.

Butterfly Wings retails for R150 and can be purchased from: Al Huda Bookstore in Fordsburg; The Cii Store in Trade route Mall (lenasia) and Jilbaab – The Ultimate Cover (Mayfair West) Cell: 0824470095 Bbm: 2969FE98.

Posted 15 hours ago by Fatima Haffejee

Review by Marie from 'My World of Love and Light'

I am humbled by this review from my fellow blogging friend Marie. Marie, thank you so much for your words of kindness and for always inspiring us with your words of love. 

The original review can be read here. 

Butterfly Wings by Zarina Hassem by Marie-Aimée Kléber

I have to say I am not very good at reviewing books. Most of the time, I like books or I don’t. But when it comes to say why, it’s another reality. But I will try my best and for sure God will give me the right words to express my ideas.

I related to this book a lot and it helped me to get out of the guilty place I put myself in, as a soon-to-be-divorced woman.

Fatima is a young woman, who finds herself alone and lost, after her divorce. She is struggling to find her place in her life, in her family and in the world. She is struggling as a woman, as a Muslim and as a simple human being.

We follow her on her journey, between her failures, her hopes, her weaknesses, her trust for a man who does not deserve her, her friendships and we get to see that what counts before everything else, is really the love for the Creator. It’s only through His love that we can live fully and recreate ourselves, understand who we are and why we are here.

She will meet people who will teach her humanity and love, who will hold her hand and let her know she is worth it. She will rediscover the bonds that link her to her family and then accept the limits of others, the importance of forgiveness.

So I would say what I like most about this book, it’s the hope I found in it, the power we have in our hands to start again, to change and to create something better, to rediscover what is important in our lives and to trust God’s plan.

I have to thank God for giving me the chance to cross Zarina’s path a couple of years ago, when I was searching for inspiration on the web. Since then, we have shared many thoughts, we have discussed many topics and we have exchanged on many subjects, and we will continue. Because learning from others give us an open-mind and an open-mind is a key for peace.