You Think You Know Me

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The MC, Hanan, is a quiet studious girl who has spent years at school being harassed and bullied and just did her best to ignore it.

I loved the fact that she was a practicing Muslim which I think isn’t seen enough in books. She and her family are Somalis. I loved reading about their culture and seeing their family dynamics. A beautiful part of the book. Then her friend is murdered and every Muslim is to blame. The world is angry at us again. How can she stay silent while her family is ripped apart? It's time for Hanan to stop being the quiet, good girl. It's time for her to stand up and shout.

Don't expect a comfortable read here, expect discomfort, some bubbling rage and frustration with processes and people. Expect heartache too, a longing and some hope on the horizon. I've been purposely vague in my thoughts because this is a read to experience for yourself. You Think You Know Me is a powerful and thought-provoking debut that highlights the double standards when it comes to the reporting and perception of crimes. If the perpetrator is of a certain race or religion, it is that aspect of his identity that the spotlight is shone on and demonised, and everyone else who falls into the same category is automatically to blame. The same crime committed by a person of a different skin colour suddenly becomes the result of a "mental breakdown". These different reactions and the unfair consequences to blameless people are adeptly highlighted through the events that take place.

Hanan has always been good and quiet. She accepts her role as her school's perfect Muslim poster girl. She ignores the racist bullies. A closed mouth is gold - it helps you get home in one piece. Touching on themes of family and cultural identity it is just as much an elder daughter’s story and refugee story as it is a Muslim one, and is all about standing your ground and being true to yourself in the face of hate and prejudice. Of learning to accept that you don’t need to justify who you are and sacrifice your identity to fit in with the status quo or for the benefit to those who are blinded by their ignorance. There are so many aspects that I enjoyed - reading about Somalian culture and heritage, Hanan's equation with each of her family members felt personal and relatable, and most importantly, her faith and beliefs, the strength, peace and clarity Hanan gets from reciting prayers. I laud Ayaan Mohamud's efforts for writing this narrative, a story which needed to be told. This is representation in its purest form. I wanted to give it 4.5 stars because the ending felt rushed but on reflection, I am glad the way it concluded and I understand why Hanan's future was left to the reader's imagination. A brilliant debut and I look forward to more!It’s beautifully written and will most definitely have you sobbing and heartbroken for the hurt and pain that Hanan and her family endures, but also brilliantly highlights the warmth, love and vibrancy of Somali culture —and dispels all those negative media portrayals of what being Muslim and a refugee in modern day Britain is actually like.

YTYKM follows Hanan's struggles of being a minority in Britain, the issues with an expectation to ‘integrate’ and the tenacity of Muslims. I participated in a readalong of this book with @tandemcollectiveuk and a bunch of fellow readers. It has been a lovely experience. There is also Somali rep which was so wonderful to see. From the language to food to family dynamics. This was such a thought-provoking read. The author has woven the history of Hanan's family fleeing Somalia as refugees, the loss of their father who was murdered during their escape, their faith as Muslims and prejudice that they face, the financial struggle for Hanan's mother and pressure felt by the eldest son to provide for the family. I'd recommend this book to fans of The Hate U Give and I Am Thunder. I hope it brings change. The character development in the novel was great in my opinion. I liked how Ayaan describes Hanan’s struggle as a refugee in London. Regardless of many threatening situations she doesn’t stop being a practical Muslim. Every character seemed very realistic to me but of course Hanan is my favorite character. I can personally relate with her character in some aspects.You Think You Know Me’ is a book that belongs in every secondary school library; it’s heartfelt and educational, all whilst being engaging and brilliantly written. It carries important messages too, of acceptance, bravery and kindness to name a few. Anger becomes an ugly, dangerous thing when you fling it around with your eyes closed… Open your eyes, macaanto, before you hurt someone with your words.” Hanan's speech was an appropriate response to this. Minorities owe society nothing in exchange for safety and accessible opportunities, we don’t need the responsibility of tolerating aggressors. Imagine my satisfaction when Hanan concluded “I don’t owe anything to any of you… The fact is my being doesn’t belong to any of you”. Also the part on issues with the idea of integration 👏🏽👏🏽 absolutely, Hanan.

But isn’t that a disservice to our diversity? If we try to make everyone the same, are we saying there’s no room for any difference in the world? And if we continue to fear the things we don’t understand, can there ever be space for growth and humanity?” Herb is from a well to do family and could potentially have a successful future, but he is socially inept and let go or fired from jobs. He couldn't keep his dark and morbid commentary to himself on the job. He and his wife eventually do have a very successful chain of thrift stores. He's also a gay man living what appears to others as a straight life which brings on a lot of angst. He frequents gay bars and lures men into his car and drives them to his house. "He wasn't doing it because he liked it. He was doing it because it kept people safe. He was a hero really." Hanan is a 'good' student, young woman and Muslim. She's headed for a bright future if she passes her exam for medical school. She's been keeping her head down in her preppy grammar for years so a little longer should be manageable. With a diverse group of close-knit friends, she can let comments and low-level bullying wash over her ordinarily.

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