All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir Review

Written by: G.S.

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Information

Author: Sabaa Tahir / Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Published: March 1st, 2022

Content Warning: This novel features depictions of assault and abuse, alcohol addiction, drug dealing and use, overdosing, illness, and death.

Summary

The novel begins in the past with Salahudin Malik and Noor Riaz, senior high school students who had been best friends since Noor moved to the US from Pakistan. It was when they were in high school when Noor admitted to having romantic feelings for Salahudin, however, Sal didn't share the same feelings, ending their long friendship. Some time later, Misbah, Sal’s mother, becomes ill and needs to be taken to the hospital because of her kidney problems. Both Noor and Salahudin's father, Abu, accompany Misbah to the hospital. Sal finally makes it to the hospital, but he has to take Abu home. When he comes back, Misbah has already passed away. However, Noor was with her when she died, and before her passing, Misbah gave words of advice to Noor. She stated to trust that God finds a way when people cannot and encouraged Noor to go out of Juniper, California, their community. Last but not least, Misbah said, "forgive", which Noor interpreted as saying that she should pardon Salahudin and reestablish their friendship.

After his mom’s funeral, the two main characters struggle with their lives. Salahudin discovers the family's debts and that they risk losing their family motel, Cloud’s Rest. Meanwhile, Noor fails her phone interview with UPenn and receives a rejection letter from the University of Virginia. She is getting worried that she will not fulfill Misbah’s wish of leaving Juniper.

Although Abu is continuously inebriated, Salahudin struggles to manage the motel by himself. Salahudin has a particularly difficult time doing laundry at the motel since the sound of the soap and the sight of the laundry room make him queasy and anxious, suggesting a previous traumatic experience. Noor assists Salahudin with motel duties while dealing with her own issues: only two colleges are still unheard from when she receives further college rejections. As the motel's financial condition deteriorates, Salahudin meets in secret with Art Britman, the drug dealer from Juniper High School, and decides to start peddling drugs. Salahudin tells himself he will only do it for as long as it takes to pay his expenses.

Noor and Salahudin's life begin to spin out of control with their difficult circumstances. For instance, when Jamie, a classmate, claims that Noor is an illegal immigrant, Noor attacks Jamie and is suspended for a couple of days. Ashlee, Sal’s ex-girlfriend overdoses on narcotics the same day, and Salahudin takes the blame because he was the one who provided her the painkillers. He makes the decision to cease dealing and heads back to Art with his drug cache in his pockets. As Abu's drinking habit worsens, a fight breaks out between him and Sal. A battered Noor is in Salahudin's driveway as he exits his apartment. They take a drive together to Veil Meadows and repair their friendship. When Salahudin is stopped for speeding on the way home, the police discover drugs in Salahudin's pockets, under Noor's seat, and in her backpack. Both are detained and interrogated, and the police suspect Noor is running a drug operation.

Once they are granted bail, Noor stops speaking to Salahudin because she feels deceived by him. Salahudin desperately wants to find a solution to convince Noor that her future is worth fighting for since he feels guilty about how his actions. He and Art break into Riaz's study on a whim and discover a UCLA acceptance letter for Noor. Even after Salahudin brings Noor the letter, she still won't accept his apologies. Salahudin gives a statement during his testimony during Noor and Salahudin's trial, explaining everything that happened, including why he started selling narcotics and the fact that Noor is not involved. He disregards the counsel of his attorney and assumes full responsibility. Salahudin is given a sentence of three years in prison, which equates to 18 months with good conduct, and all allegations against Noor are withdrawn.

In the fall, Noor enrolls at UCLA and begins to recover. Realizing she still has love for Salahudin, she starts to give him books in prison anonymously. While incarcerated, Salahudin finds healing. He makes the decision that he does not need to be aware of the specifics of the traumatic event in his past and attempts to forgive Misbah and himself. On the basis of what he knows about Misbah's past, he also recounts her life story from her perspective. As Salahudin is let out of jail, he goes to Misbah's grave and Noor joins him. From that spot, Misbah senses Noor's forgiveness toward her and they both find comfort in their forgiveness of one another.

How The Book Relates to the Modern World

Throughout “All My Rage,” The author Tahir centers on brown teenagers and poignantly portrays how they yearn for a sense of home. Tahir, who is Pakistani American, lived in her family’s motel while growing up in the Mojave Desert, just like Salahudin. Through the same experiences, she captures the complex identity crisis that can come with being born in another country but growing up primarily in the United States. She pays attention to the details of how teenagers cope when they feel alone — for instance, how they cling to music as a refuge and dream of an escape. From being interrogated by classmates on whether or not you are a legal citizen to mispronunciations of your name, “All My Rage” displays struggles that students of color may go through in America.

Why the Book Should be Read in Schools

Personally, the book can be a lot to digest as it contains mature themes, so it is recommended that high schoolers and up read it. However, it is very relevant to today’s world and teaches young people how to navigate it. The author shares her own story and advocates for many others in this novel, and its representation is one of the main reasons why it should be read in schools. It’s a story with true roots of broken American dreams.

Rating/Personal Reaction

I think this is one of the best contemporary books out there. I have always enjoyed the multiple point-of-view chapters, and Tahir executes them perfectly. Salahudin, Noor, and Misbah are characters that will live with me for a long time to come and to probably no one’s surprise, my favorite was Salahudin. All My Rage is a love letter to family, Pakistan, music, and to the ties that bind us together. I can’t say enough wonderful things about my first time reading a book by Sabaa Tahir. Tahir has a level of eloquence in writing that moves you to reread entire passages. Tahir is brave and confident in her storytelling, debunking many myths that newly arrived immigrants and people of color experience.