Book review: Not Another Samoosa Run
Author: Nadia Cassim
Publisher: Kwela Books
This book ticks all my boxes.
It’s South African. Check.
It’s by a local author of colour about people of colour. Check.
It’s an authentic, uncondescending portrayal of a local culture. Check.
It tackles serious modern topics. Check.
The characters are interesting and relatable? Check
The storytelling is good? Check.
It has surprising, unpredictable twists. Check.
It has a satisfying ending that closes the loop. Check.
(Insert loud sigh here)
As an avid reader who likes locally-flavoured books; publishers, please can we have more books like the above?
Synopsis
Not Another Samoosa Run tells the story of Muslim-Indian Tasneem. After a failed marriage she finds herself back at her parents’ house, back at college, working in her father’s shop and without any independence.
Her mother is determined to marry her off, and on her terms this time, which means none of this modern getting-to-know-each-other nonsense, which she believes caused the failure of Tasneem’s first marriage.
Her incessant matchmaking puts Tasneem in several awkward and embarrassing situations. After one such situation Tasneem finds herself instantly engaged to a stranger – a handsome one whom she has connected with unexpectedly.
As Aadil and Tasneem spend time together their eager mothers plan the wedding but Aadil has a secret – a serious, relationship-ending-level secret – which he guards more and more closely as he and Tasneem start falling for each other.
This romance novel is fun, funny and a little sad. It breaks the mold but does it so cleverly that the author gets away with it. It is a quick, satisfying read.
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