The Beauty of Your Face: A Novel

One of the New York Times's 100 Notable Books of 2020\nLonglisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, The Beauty of Your Face is “a story of outsiders coming together in surprising and uplifting ways” (New York Times Book Review, Editors’ Choice).The Beauty of Your Face tells a uniquely American story in powerful, evocative prose. Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter―radicalized by the online alt-right―attacks the school. As Afaf listens to his terrifying progress, we are swept back through her memories, and into a profound and “moving” (Bustle) exploration of one woman’s life in a nation at odds with its ideals.

Literature & Fiction

Mustafah, Sahar

United States

W.W.Norton&Company

Short story collection by Sahar Mustafah, David Friedman Award for Best Fiction. 2016 Grand Prize Winner for Prose, Willow Books Literature Awards. 
“The native and immigrant Palestinians in Sahar Mustafah’s Code of the West live in a world where the threat of violence is part of their existence. Some of these characters exist within their own ethnic enclave, while others travel beyond to unexpected locations. What deeply resonates are the ways Mustafah captures the textures of her characters’ lives, the atmosphere of their homes and families, certain quiet scenes where some unexpected connection or depth of feeling enters, and we are reminded of Chekhov’s observation that heartbreak or great changes can arrive at the most ordinary of moments.” ~David Mura, author of Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei and Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire (a novel)

Code of the West

Willow Publishing

A uniquely American story told in powerful, evocative prose, The Beauty of Your Face navigates a country growing ever more divided. Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter--radicalized by the online alt-right--attacks the school.As Afaf listens to his terrifying progress, we are swept back through her memories: the bigotry she faced as a child, her mother's dreams of returning to Palestine, and the devastating disappearance of her older sister that tore her family apart. Still, there is the sweetness of the music from her father's oud, and the hope and community Afaf finally finds in Islam.The Beauty of Your Face is a profound and poignant exploration of one woman's life in a nation at odds with its ideals, an emotionally rich novel that encourages us to reflect on our shared humanity. If others take the time to really see us, to look into our face, they will find something indelibly familiar, something achingly beautiful gazing back.

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by Marie Claire, Bustle, Real Simple, and Literary Hub A Palestinian American woman wrestles with faith, loss, and identity before coming face-to-face with a school shooter in this searing debut. A uniquely American story told in powerful, evocative prose, The Beauty of Your Face navigates a country growing ever more divided. Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter - radicalized by the online alt-right - attacks the school. As Afaf listens to his terrifying progress, we are swept back through her memories: the bigotry she faced as a child, her mother's dreams of returning to Palestine, and the devastating disappearance of her older sister that tore her family apart. Still, there is the sweetness of the music from her father's oud, and the hope and community Afaf finally finds in Islam. The Beauty of Your Face is a profound and poignant exploration of one woman's life in a nation at odds with its ideals, an emotionally rich novel that encourages us to reflect on our shared humanity. If others take the time to really see us, to look into our face, they will find something indelibly familiar, something achingly beautiful gazing back.

Literary

Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio

A profound and poignant exploration of one womans life in a nation at odds with its ideals. 
Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter―radicalized by the online alt-right―attacks the school. 
As Afaf listens to his terrifying progress, we are swept back through her memories: the bigotry she faced as a child, her mothers dreams of returning to Palestine, and the devastating disappearance of her older sister that tore her family apart. Still, there is the sweetness of the music from her fathers oud, and the hope and community Afaf finally finds in Islam. 
Featured in The New York Times, Marie Claire, Lithub, Ms. Magazine, The Millions, and The Lily 
Shortlisted for the Chicago Review of Books Award 
Longlisted for the 2020 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

The Beauty of Your Face: One Woman's Life in a Nation at Odds with Its Ideals

Contemporary

Legend Press

Hypertext Review: Spring • Summer 2020

Rice, Christine Maul

Lindsey, Bryan

Mulroe, Sarah

Independently published

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Books by Mustafah, Sahar

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mustafah, Sahar. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Beauty of Your Face: A Novel

Code of the West

The Beauty of Your Face: A Novel

The Beauty of Your Face: A Novel

The Beauty of Your Face: One Woman's Life in a Nation at Odds with Its Ideals

Hypertext Review: Spring • Summer 2020