Better Left Unsaid is the latest release from Tufayel Ahmed, and as a big fan of his debut release "This Way Out" I was excited to get my hands on an early copy. I am pleased to say that it did not disappoint, I devoured the book in one sitting because I cared so much about the characters and wanted nothing but the best for them.
The book is the story of three siblings and the secrets they keep from each other, the things that are better left unsaid. Since their parents died the siblings have gone their own ways and grown increasingly distant from one another, but in a time of crisis they are drawn back together, and if they can finally be honest with each other they have a chance to rebuild their relationships.
Eldest brother Imran calls on his sister Sumaya for help when his wife is subjected to a racist attack that goes viral online and is widely reported in the media. She has become withdrawn and barely leaves her bedroom and he is desperately worried about her mental and physical health. Despite the frosty relationship between himself and Sumaya he knows that the two women are close and asking Sumaya to return home from America is the only thing he can think of. Sumaya in turn is shocked to learn of the attack and drops everything to return home, the fact that it gives her an convenient excuse to avoid answering her boyfriend's proposal is just another good reason to go. She is struggling with her feelings because she is still in love with her ex girlfriend, but none of her family know she is bisexual. Youngest brother Majid is probably the best adjusted of the gang, living his best student life, and in a way he gives Sumaya the strength to confront the truth about herself and her relationships,
This is a really powerful and emotional read, The characters are so well crafted and their family dynamics are completely believable and it was a great insight into another culture and the racism and micro aggressions that they face on a daily basis. It is a lot to pack into a relatively short book, and I would not have minded had it been a little longer to allow a more in depth exploration of the issues, but if the worst criticism of a book is that I wanted more, I think that says it all.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher ,all opinions are my own

4/5

Three siblings. Three promises. Three lifetimes of saying all the wrong things…

Since their mothers death, siblings Imran, Sumaya and Majid have drifted in three different directions, trying to live up to the last promises they each made to her. But when a viral news piece throws an unwanted spotlight on the family, they are drawn back into each other’s lives for the first time in years.
With the media attention exposing the cracks in Imran’s already fragile marriage, he begs Sumaya to return from New York to help- but living under the same roof again after all this time brings up all the secrets they’d both thought long-buried. Now nothing can stop the truth from coming out… with promises they once made in tatters, is this a chance for the siblings to finally live the lives they have always wanted and rebuild the bong they all once had? Or has too much already been said?

Phew this was an emotional read. It’s about three British Bangladeshi muslims who are trying to live their perfect lives after the passing of both of their parents. We are able to follow the struggles, the complexity of family relationships, and insecurities.
I think the author did a really good job of being able to create characters that are relatable who have these flaws and aren’t perfect, and each sibling is dealing with their own issues… I could definitely feel the pain and relate to some aspects within this book.
I do however wish that the author focused a bit more on Majid who's the youngest sibling as I would have loved to read about him a bit more and I felt that the second half was maybe a bit too rushed.
It was a good read… emotional? Yes. I’m looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Thank you to Amazon publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC. Better left unsaid by Tufayel Ahmed comes out September 20th 2023.

Three siblings separated by emotional and physical distance come together when tragedy strikes. Better Left Unsaid is the story of three siblings, Imran, Sumaya and Majid. Each had made promises to their dying mother years ago and have lived their lives separately, growing apart and holding on to secrets and resentments. The exploration of Islamophobia, which initially drew me in, did not receive the attention it deserved. The second half of the book was a bit rushed, and the conflicts resolved a little too easily. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to more by this author. #netgalley #betterleftunsaid

*Title: Better Left Unsaid-a standalone

*Release date: 9/20/23, read: 8/6/23

*Author: Tufayel Ahmed, 1st time read author

*Book cover: bold colors and POC- yes please!

*Page Count: 250

POV: multiple Imran, Sumaya, and Sultana

*Setting: London and NY

*Genre: Adult Fic/Contemporary, Queer

*Tropes:
✅LGBTQIA+
✅ Family Saga
✅ Intercultural- British/ Bangladeshi/Muslim

Look out for:
⚠️ grief/loss of parents, racism in the workplace, abortion(past), miscarriage(past), hate crime, toxic masculinity, hidden sexuality, Mental Health

*Synopsis: Three siblings (Imran, Sumaya, and Majid) reunite after 7 years when a hate crime is committed against one of their own. They are still mourning the passing of both their parents and trying to live up to the promises they made to their mother Sultana before she died.

Characters:
Imran-(34) the oldest, works at a car dealership (Celeritas) with a racist boss. Married for 10 years to Fahima, but at a loss how to help her after she is attacked. In-laws hate him because they think he can't provide financially for Fahima because she grew up well off. He took care of his ailing father up until his death. His brother Majid lived w/ him after parents died.

Sumaya-(31) Bisexual. Moved to NY 7 years ago to reinvent herself. Was a tv producer, now documentary film maker. Agrees to help estranged brother with sister-in-law feeling very ashamed and violated.

Majid-(21) the youngest. A university student, enjoying his life hanging w/friends, very lowkey.

Sultana-Their mother. Had an arranged marriage w/ their father. Married @ 18, moved to another country w/ no family or friends and a stranger for a husband. Had a stroke 7 years ago.

Abdul-Their father got very depressed and sick following wife's death. Died of heart attack 3 years ago.

Fahima-Imran's wife, a devout Muslim, believed women should be silent and follow your husband until she is attacked by a white man who grabbed her hijab off in public at a bus stop.

Jonathan-Sumaya's bf in NY. They lived together for 5 years. He just proposed and Sumaya's not sure what to do.

Neha-Sumaya's 1st love, a closeted queer Muslim woman, now married w/ 2 kids of her own.

Giles-Imran's boss. Monitors him closely, gives him more work, very critical.

Hakeem- in business w/ Imran through the dealership and considers him a brother.

*Review: I learned a lot, had to look up a lot but I have always been curious about the Muslim faith. I had a hard time believing it was anything other than a misogynist society. I've watched girls in high school in garb and wondered what it meant. This book opened a world of faith, duty, and family that I've never known. I realized the commitment it takes to live a certain way that others may not understand. To believe in family, to have traditions was a foreign concept for me, as I do not subscribe to any faith/religion. Highly informative and relatable sibling rivalry.

Rating: 5/5⭐

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC🖤! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book, I did find it a bit long in places. However, it was emotional and told a story that more people need to be aware of, something that undoubtedly women who wear hijab's would be afraid of happening to them, and it was great to learn the pain that is from something like this happening.

It was a nice story but felt quite juvenile. The writing didn't stand out but flowed very nicely. Whilst the ending was nice, felt like it was a bit too wrapped up neatly but yeah

Now, you know me. I love a book centred around culture, and especially those books with Desi culture at its roots, so reading the blurb for Tufayel Ahmed's Better Left Unsaid made me hit that 'request' button.
Three siblings, British Bangladeshi Muslims, and the fallout in their lives after losing both parents and suffering further upset after one of their own is targetted by a hate crime against women wearing a hijab.
Imran, Sumaya and Majid are brothers and sisters; however, all three have very different outlooks on life.
Imran, being the eldest, feels a sense of responsibility for his family since his parents died.
Sumaya broke the shackles of familial expectations and moved to a different country.
Majid is the youngest, seemingly unaffected by life and his family's woes because he is so much younger.
The thing is, nothing is ever that simple.
Imran is in danger of losing his wife and job and already losing hold of the family left in his care.
Sumaya has been handed secrets and a huge promise to fulfil by her mother on her deathbed.
Majid - well, in many ways, he's the only one living life as he should.
There is a lot to unpack in this novel. Cultural expectations, that 'what will others say' mentality that is embedded in the fabric of Asian society, gender-related expectations, the inability to just talk and be honest with one another...
I have to say I did not like Imran. But I am glad he had a change of heart by the end of the book.
Sumaya has her own difficulties, and yet, she does overcome them in a roundabout way.
I just feel that Majid needed more of a starring role. We don't really get to know much about him until much later in the book, and considering I felt he was the catalyst for the shift in thinking, I wish we had learned more about him.
There is plenty of lamenting about being the one who had to look after parents and younger siblings by the older two, but there are so many other issues that could have held more importance.
Hidden sexualities, hate crimes, racism in workplaces.
It was a good read, though I feel there could have been a little more depth.
Many thanks to NetGAlley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.

A story of three siblings (Imran, Sumaya, and Majid) and the promises they made to their mother on her deathbed. Since the death of their mother, the siblings had led very different lives. When Imran's wife is the victim of an assault he contacts his sister hoping that she would be able to help, but this only leads to secrets resurfacing and them having to reflect on the lives they have led up until this point.

Loved the family dynamics set out in this book- very close to life portrayal of difficult situations within a South Asian family. Sumaya's obvious disconnect from her brother Imran's dominant nature is understandable and relatable. Their secrets come as a shock and then it's no secret why they drift apart. Majid, in my opinion, was the one least flushed out but the most interesting character of them all- confident in his own skin and passively defiant of his brother, he's the one I'd like to have read more of. While this book tackles a lot of issues faced by South Asian immigrants, I felt like it leaned a bit much on racism- a few spaces where the rants went on a little too long. Particularly from Imran's perspective.

Interesting and nuanced, I really enjoyed following the characters and their development throughout the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.

A story of grief, regret and hope: three siblings are left adrift after the death of their parents. Traditional older brother Imran, adventurous sister Sumaya and liberal younger brother Majid are living separate lives until a traumatic event unites them. I found this a beautifully-written and compelling read. Tufayel Ahmed creates space for his characters to be flawed and vulnerable, prompting a powerful discussion around race, religion and expectations around sexuality and gender stereotypes.

𝑴𝒚 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: ⭐⭐
𝑴𝒚 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌: 😑😑🤗🥱🥱🤔🤨🤐🥰


In all honesty, my expectations for this book centered around a compelling exploration of Islamophobia and its consequences. I was alos excited for the inclusion of Desi characters. However, the storyline fell short, failing to provide the depth I had hoped for. Imran's side of the narrative, which appeared to be the central plot according to the premise, proved to be the more engaging aspect, while Sumayya's character dominated the majority of the book, leaving me wanting.
Sumayya's character was difficult to comprehend and relate to, leaving me disconnected from her journey. Additionally, the role of Majid felt ill-fitting within the family dynamics, lacking the necessary depth to integrate seamlessly.
Around the halfway mark, I found myself resorting to skimming, seeking solace in the fragments of Imran's narrative that sparked my interest. Unfortunately, this imbalance in focus hindered my overall reading experience.
While personal preferences and expectations may vary, this particular book failed to capture my interest. The exploration of Islamophobia, which initially drew me in, did not receive the attention it deserved. However, it's worth considering that different readers may find enjoyment in its nuances and unique perspectives.

In conclusion, this book did not resonate with me on a personal level, lacking the depth and balance I had anticipated.


Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Better Left Unsaid" by Tufayel Ahmed is a thought-provoking read of understanding with it means to be a minority.

The story follows three siblings, Imran, Sumaya, and Majid, who are all living separate lives since their mother died. They made promises to her on her death bed which became detrimental to the two older siblings. The story explores sexual orientation and traditional expectations.

I enjoyed the story, there was a lot going on, but I felt it was told in a way that held my interest right until the end.

"The individual pain over the loss of a loved one was so unique, but grief was a shared human experienced that touched everyone."

Better Left Unsaid is an incisive exploration into the cracks that form between families and how they can either keep breaking or come back together again.

This tender and authentic story explores all the little things that beautifully weave together to create our identity - loss, love, tradition, race, family, gender, culture, sexuality - all through a thoughtful and contemporary lens. I was touched by the insightful looks into sexuality and masculinity and how these things change in a traditional Muslim culture or family. It was deeply absorbing and emotional but also had time for some witty and humorous observations about modern life.

The prose was delicate and almost poetic in places, switching between quiet metaphors and imagery and an easy conversational tone. As we switch between the perspectives of different family members, we quickly get to know them, and it’s clear they’re much more honest and open with the reader than each other so we’re left seeing the gaps between them and hoping something that can close it again. It was definitely interesting to see the different ways every person interpreted a conversation or an event, showing us every single person experiences their story in a different way — any person could be a hero, villain or bystander depending on who’s telling the story.

Each person has their own story that plays out, their own struggles and flaws but they slowly merge, finding their common threads to reveal a complex tapestry of relationships and people that was something very special. The story was propelled by not only each individual journey of self-discovery and the breaking of generational and cultural toxicity, but the discovery of the different things family can mean at different times in life.

A powerful story about family — and what that really means from an equally powerful voice.

Set in Bow, East London, Tufayel Ahmed’s Better Left Unsaid is the story of a Bangladeshi immigrant family. High on emotions, this family drama addresses faith, belief, racism, trauma, love, family dynamics, and sibling bond.

The strong point of this novel is the detailed characterization. The characters are flawed and believable. Unlike the older generation, youngsters smoke, drink, visit pubs, even explore physical relations, and have varied sexual preferences. I liked the manner in which Ahmed portrays them–so sure of themselves, and yet vulnerable and seeking approval. It was refreshing to see them break societal norms and not succumb to pressure.

The complex family dynamics and the strained relationship between the siblings are well-depicted. Ahmed provides decent resolutions to the problems faced by the siblings.

I would have enjoyed the book more if not for Sumaya’s and Imran’s constant whining about being a caretaker and taking care of their dying parents. While caregiving is definitely a challenging task, the constant ‘martyr’ spirit was too much to take.

Wordsopedia Rating 3.4/5

I was keen to read this after loving his debut, This Way Out. Tufayel Ahmed is such a poetic writer - this book did not disappoint.

Told from multiple points of view - the mother, the eldest son and only daughter, the book essentially is about navigating complex family dynamics. It’s written so beautifully.

As a white man of no discernible faith, I found the story poignant and I certainly learnt something. Many themes transcending faith and race, especially those around sexual and gender norms and expectations both within the family and wider society. The book explores the changing viewpoints on sexuality through the generations giving hope to the future.

In short, the story starts with an attack on a Muslim woman. As in now the norm, the attack is recorded and plastered on social media and news sites. The victim, is eldest son, Imran’s wife.

Unsure how to help his wife, he enlists the help of his sister Sumaya, who moved away to New York seven years ago - taking a very different, and less traditional path, than her brother.

Within minutes of her arrival back in London, old familial feuds and resentments resurface; still struggling to move beyond their ‘transactional relationship.’ In addition, Sumaya is questioning her sexuality and looking inward for definitive answers before her return to America, her boyfriend, and the big question she’s been avoiding.

The characters are richly developed and their relationships so well portrayed. The introduction later of the younger brother Majid was very welcome; he brought a new and very different viewpoint into the story and you could see the profound effect he has, especially on his sister. She becomes more herself around him. But, is it enough? Can the siblings repair their fractured relationships?

My favourite quote: 'In a perfect world, we'd just accept everybody as they are, and not get so worked up about other people's differences. But life is a fucking bitch.' - Sumaya

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The book opens with a newspaper report about an attack on a Muslim woman at a bus stop. Her hijab is ripped off her head. To begin with, I was unsure whether the book was going to be inspired by/based on a real incident, because sadly, I was convinced that I'd read about something similar happening in real life.

One of the characters talks about reading about the attack on social media and I can imagine the kinds of comments they would be reading. Without an understanding of the significance of the hijab, it's very easy to dismiss such an attack as being a minor one - "it's no different to having a hat pulled off, it's unsettling, but what's the big deal". However, the plain fact is that there is a world of difference between the two events. For many Muslim women the hijab is about modesty of dress and having it forcibly removed would be deeply traumatic. The beauty of this book is that it gets that message across without the narrative ever feeling as though it's purpose is to teach. Fahima's response to the attack is beautifully described and it is the catalyst for opening up old family wounds.

Nevertheless, this is only one of many 'learning' points in this book. As a white, heterosexual, middle aged woman, I found it really interesting to read about the different cultural expectations placed on the characters, particularly when it came to gender roles and sexuality. Also, whilst we like to think that as a society we have moved on at least a little, from racism and Islamophobia, if the experiences of the characters in the book are based in reality (and I have no reason to doubt that they are) then it's abundantly clear that it has simply moved underground. 'Microaggressions' is a term I am coming across more and more when it comes to discussions around race and the examples given here are perfect illustrations of this in practice. Imran is so keen to not be the 'angry Muslim' but it's hard not to be angry when you are on the receiving end of so much injustice. He is far from perfect, but by the end of the book he recognises this and has channelled that anger into something positive.

The other thing I found interesting was the question of sexuality and the role religion and culture plays in the acceptability of this for young Muslims (and I imagine for those belonging to other faiths as well). Although I had previously been aware of some of the issues raised, it wasn't something I'd come across in my reading before and I think the characters make an important point when they talk about how the LGBTQ community is often talked about as a homogenous group, when in fact that there are many issues faced by some that would not have been seen as an issue by others and this is often based in religious and cultural backgrounds.

I read the book because I thought it sounded interesting and on one level it was a fascinating study of family dynamics and a thoroughly good read. On another level however, I finished it feeling as though I was at least a little better educated on the issues it covered and that's never a bad thing as far as I'm concerned.

I struggled to get into this book as there was just too much going on all at once for me that I found it overwhelming and had to stop reading it.

A great book, a family saga with twists of immigrant life experienced by different generations. Gender expectations are explored across generations and sexualities . It is done in a culturally sensitive way and you come to understand the viewpoints of different characters.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forwad to reading more by this author

Well this got me a bit more than I expected. Following the lives of Imran, Sumaya and Majid, siblings who at one point made different promises to their mother before she passed away. Sumaya was holding a secret so deep, it caused endless years of distance and grief to her, her brother and her emotional heart. Alongside this story, Sumaya finds herself finding the truths to her own journey, her sexual journey and where her heart lies. Ahmed provides an incredible connection between the siblings and ensures the reader can relate to at least one sibling and at least one part of their combined story.

I haven’t read Ahmed’s work previously but have added This Way Out to my list!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARV