I found Bilal's writing style captivating, and the themes explored in these short stories were skillfully executed. However, I couldn't help but feel that the character development fell somewhat short of my expectations. While the overall content was engaging, I wished for more depth in the portrayal of the characters.

Despite this, I believe these stories are worth exploring, especially for fans of the short story genre. Bilal offers readers plenty to ponder, particularly in terms of the dynamics within communities. Overall, while the character work may not have been as rich as desired, there is still much to appreciate and contemplate within these thought-provoking tales.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love collections that are so outside of my lived experiences, and Temple Folk, was absolutely what I needed to read in that exact moment.

The stories were so thought provoking and interesting, but they felt a bit similar to each other. I wish this collection expanded to Black Muslims outside of the NOI.

Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal 5/5 Stars
Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal is a beautifully written short story collection unlike any other work I've consumed before. This story collection follows Black American Muslims who were members of the Nation of Islam (NOI) in the 1970's. I can't think of any fictional work that exists that is specific to this group. Not only is this collection interesting but it's also a great window into how they lived, lowkey educational.

I didn't really understand the point of most of these short stories once they ended. They just ended and there wasn't really a turning point nor a culmination, an actual end for the character(s). I did like that they were basically a chronological order of events where each story had a little something to do with the story before it.

Aaliyah Bilal's TEMPLE FOLK is a captivating short story collection devoted to showing Black Muslims pursuing a life full of desire necessary to reaching one's own truth. This debut serves as a compelling means for America to recognize and acknowledge the historical significance of Black Muslims within the country's tapestry.

This debut compilation of short stories is undeniably thought-provoking. What I found particularly commendable in this collection is that each story truly stands on its own, offering a distinct and unique narrative. While a few of them concluded in a way that left me yearning for more, I believe such stories linger in your thoughts, sparking deeper contemplation, and therefore, they hold their rightful place.

The writing in this collection is skillfully executed, with well-crafted tales. The characters are intricately developed, adding depth and complexity to the narratives. The understated writing style employed throughout was something I genuinely appreciated.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marketing being often exaggerations, I rarely pay attention to the endorsement blurbs on covers; but, in this case, the quote is right and right on target. We — society as a whole, and especially readers of color — have long needed stories like these in Bilal’s collection, stories which reflect a way of thinking and life beyond the literal pale (read: whiteness) that has so long been taken as the norm in literature.

Literary canons still rarely feature writers and stories of diverse backgrounds, genders, and identities, and the term still conjures an Eurocentric image. Bilal’s collection is a balm, not a bandaid; a healing wound, not a scar; a mark of beauty, not a blemish. It highlights this paucity in modern literature and offers a concrete solution towards developing a greater oeuvre of our human experience.

The opening tale in Temple Folk orients the landscape of the collection as a whole: it centers on an interstate bus ride. The bus is filled with faithful black and white Muslim-American women, chartered to bring them from their small hometown, across a rural and white-dominated expanse, to Chicago where a Muslim conference will be held. This is a community unto itself, though it exists — consciously — as a part of white, Christianized America. Readers are given a privileged view into this world within a world.

The other tales highlight the daily, lived experiences of the citizens of the Nation of Islam. As a whole, these stories bring to the fore the intersection where NOI citizens, black denizens within their world, and the non-NOI, non-Muslim white world meet. Bilal presents the reader with scenarios where the whiteness of a child confronts the blackness of a woman, and what this might mean within the context of a religion that is often positioned adjacent and not central to the black/white politics of our era. Bilal pokes at the humor and seriousness of dating in the muslim world, knowing the gendered expectations of muslim women and men the reader is likely to filter her tales through. Bilal encourages a shift away from that pockmarked lens, offering a clearer view if the reader is willing to remove the glass from their eyes.

Indeed, most of my favorite stories were premised on a collision of modern, American ideas of empowerment and feminine identity, with Orientalist stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. But, the unique feature Bilal brings is a side-sweep which softens the collision and creates instead, a merger. Modern Muslim identity is not at odds with Islamic traditions and cultures (though it can be), nor do modern muslims (men, women, children, and all alike) need to make choices between their Blackness, modernity, and Islamic identities. In performing this clever maneuver, Bilal introduces the reader to a much more nuanced world of Black Islam, likely one that they have not seen before. Certainly, for this reader, this was the case.

Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal honors the Black American community within the Nation of Islam in a way that I have never seen reflected in literature before. While this is her debut , this collection of ten short stories demonstrates a mastery of understanding the human condition and the inner life of Black folks who have chosen to practice faith as a means of survival.

It is rare that I read a collection of short stories and can easily transition from one narrative to another. For me, as a reader, this speaks to how rich the storytelling is in this collection and the common threads that are woven throughout these very different and yet soul mirroring stories.

Candy for Hanif brought tears to my eyes because it is a story that I do not often see reflected on the page, particularly in a religious setting where so many families raising individuals with special needs find connection and community. This story was told with such deep compassion and Bilal manages to show the impact the mosque had on this family unit. Candy for Hanif shows how when we've been doing it alone for so long it's not until helping hands are extended that we can begin to receive the help we need.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read!

AHHHHHH!
I'm so thankful to Simon and Schuster, Netgalley, and Aaliyah Bilal for granting me advanced audio, digital, and physical access to this sweet gem of book that held emotional weight that twisted into my with a sharp knife.

i don't know what to write about this. i read it. i finished it. yes.

— thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC.

After reading Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal I felt like I had a better understanding of a community that is seldom written about. The stories in Temple Folk showed the everyday joys, struggles and conflicts of the people in the Nation of Islam. I enjoyed that the book wasn't sensationalized and told stories that showed the everyday lives of people who happened to follow a certain religious teaching.

This book was definitely interesting.

There is a common theme of running away, both figuratively and physically.
Most of the stories will leave you with more questions than answers, as many of the stories end with cliffhangers.

The stories in this book center around the Black Muslim experience, specifically members of the Nation of Islam. I did find myself Googling a lot during this book because I wanted to actually know and understand many of the author's references.

All in all, this book is definitely interesting and you should pick it up!

This debut collection of short stories is definitely very thought provoking. I don’t think I have ever read anything that was centered on Black Muslim life like this was and it was very interesting. I won’t say there weren’t points that were challenging for me because of course there were, but I like to read about other cultures and perspectives. One thing I really appreciated about this collection is that the various stories did feel like unique stories. I felt a couple of them ended at a place leaving me wanting more, but stories like that stick with you and make you think so they definitely have their place. I think my favorite story was Woman in Niqab. The writing was well done and the stories were well told. I definitely will be looking for future works by Aaliyah Bilal.

I was so amazed to see so many people who say they are woke and believe everyone is equal give five stars to a book about a religion that treat women like second class citizens and thinks that LGBT should be killed and that it is condoned by God. As the mother of mixed children in a lesbian daughter I cannot recommend this book. When I first got the book I don’t know why I thought it was about the Muslim religion and having red the cabal know it to be a book about loving and being kind to others I wanted to read it but when I realized it was about the nation of Islam a religion made up in Detroit in the early 20th century I was still curious to read the stories but they were mostly what I expected racist white people stories about being faithful to your religion but they also had surprising stories about family abuse and much more. I enjoyed the story called New Mexico and the very last story I also think I would’ve liked blue the first story much better if it wasn’t written as if we should know with these initials mean most of it was confusing and although I did feel sorry for Danielle as I said the other part was just confusing. Innoway it makes me happy that Simon & Schuster is so inclusive that they would print a book by a religion that spent so much time hating white devils and that treat women like second class citizens in the LGBTQ like they shouldn’t exist at all is brave and I’ll say it again very inclusive. I received this book from Net Galley and Simon & Schuster but I am leaving this review voluntarily I am blind and dictate my review.

A wonderful collection of short stories from a perspective that is not often heard from enough. These stories from Black Muslims look closely at the intersection of faith and culture and the experiences of a group of people who are trying to fit into a society that looks very different from their culture. The storytelling is compassionate and honest, looking at the stark differences between faith and action in modern society.

Hey there, fellow bookworms! Today, I'm diving into the pages of Temple Folk, a groundbreaking debut collection by the talented Aaliyah Bilal. If you're ready for a vibrant and thought-provoking exploration of the Black Muslim experience in America, then this book is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

Temple Folk takes us on a journey through the lives of Black Muslims as they grapple with faith, family, and freedom in the land of the free. Bilal masterfully weaves together ten captivating stories that give voice to a community that often finds itself caught between the expectations of mainstream culture and their own unique identity.

One of the things I absolutely loved about this collection is the sheer diversity of narratives it offers. From thought-provoking discussions on race, religion, and politics to deeply personal reflections on economics and sexuality, Temple Folk covers it all. It's refreshing to see such a wide range of experiences represented, reminding us that there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the Black Muslim community.

Each story in this collection invites you to immerse yourself in the lives of the characters, who are grappling with their beliefs and their actions. Take "Due North," for example, where an obedient daughter is haunted by the spirit of her recently deceased father. It's a haunting tale that explores the complexities of grief and family bonds. And then there's "Candy for Hanif," a heartwarming story that takes an unexpected turn when a routine trip to the store becomes a reflection on life's close calls.

Bilal's writing shines through with an unflinching eye for detail, capturing the contradictions that exist within each character's beliefs and actions. What makes this collection truly stand out is the author's ability to present moral failures with compassion, nuance, and even humor. It's a reminder that as flawed humans, we all stumble and make mistakes along the way, and that's what makes us relatable.

Now, if I had to offer one small critique, it would be that I wanted to see a bit more development in some of the stories. While the glimpses we get into the characters' lives are fascinating, a few of them left me craving for a deeper exploration. But hey, this is Bilal's debut, and overall, she has done a commendable job of capturing the essence of these diverse experiences.

So, if you're ready for a collection of stories that will challenge your perspectives, tug at your heartstrings, and make you laugh out loud, Temple Folk is the book for you. Aaliyah Bilal's masterful storytelling brings to life the struggles and triumphs of Black Muslims in America, reminding us all that it's the imperfections that truly make us human.

Happy reading, folks!

Wasn’t a fan of this book but it was a me problem. I always think I will love short stories but once I start reading them I end up not liking them since I never have enough time to delve into each story. If you enjoy short stories this would be for you!

3.5 ⭐️ This book was very well written, but it ended up not being for me. I liked a few of the stories, but some ended being too religious and I couldn’t get into them.

Overall, I really liked this book! I did receive it as an ARC.

It was nice to read black stories through a lens that was particularly new to me. The stories I liked the most were "Nikkah" and "Due North". Islam was certainly a backdrop in all the stories, but for the most part Balal was able to connect me to the characters in many non-religious ways too. This is not a heavily indoctrinated text, so if you're from a different religious background or not a religious person at all, you can definitely still enjoy this collection! Temple Folk truly demonstrates there are so many parallels within our experiences in the black community and among people from different religious backgrounds.

Temple Folk is a collection of beautifully crafted stories about the lives of Black American Muslims, and in that it is unlike any book I've read before. The diverse experiences of the protagonists span across varying ages, genders, decades, and American regions, and each provides thought-provoking insight into various struggles with identity, family, community, and the self. Although this is the first piece of fiction I've ever read regarding the Nation of Islam, which I admittedly know little about, I found each of the ten vignettes highly relatable to my own experiences as well as a helpful window into a community very unlike my own. Bilal's prose is engrossing and her characters vividly real throughout; the reader feels as if they are hearing stories straight from the mouth of the protagonist.