Book Review: ‘Take It Back: A Novel’ By Kia Abdullah

Zara Kaleel is a barrister in London, is Muslim, has kind of shunned her family and her heritage by being so independent. She has made good money working in her profession and now works as an advocate for sexual abuse victims. And when 16 year old Josie walks in claiming she was raped by 4 Muslim fellow students at her school, Zara listens and decides they have a case. Josie is a disabled girl and has never had many friends and is often made fun of. The alleged rape happen at a party a few nights earlier. And then all hell breaks lose when Jodie, Zara and the boys names all become public knowledge. Zara is shamed by the Muslim community and her own family for helping this case of a white girl against four Muslim boys. It’s a case of he said/she said. And it goes to trial and shocking twists and turns take place and you are left to wonder who’s telling the truth. It all leads to a shocking ending.

This is the quite the novel form Author Kia Abdullah. You really have to think as you read the novel and you don’t want to pick sides because both seem like their telling the truth. The reader is really engaged in this book.

You can pick up Take It Back in stores on Tuesday, December 8th from St. Martin’s Press.