2023 REREAD: Still an extremely important and relevant novel. It's just that I couldn't get behind Layla's character inconsistencies and confusing, unself-aware contradictions, especially at the beginning. She needs a lot of men to save her and support her nearly all the time, as well. At least she has a few female friends and allies, but they needed more page time; their presence and characterisation are hardly as strong as the numerous male characters'.
The romantic elements are weak and forced; as are the pop culture references, of which I really don't like. It still has to be a YA novel, it seems. Then there's the Bury Your Gays of two people who only exist on one page, in passing, and the prominent, blatant white saviour in the form of Jake Reynolds, who is dangerously close to being as much the protagonist as Layla is. He's a complicit white saviour, very possibly having feelings for his underaged, brown-skinned captive. Yikes.
The book is also a bit too long.
But my point stands, in that everyone should read 'Internment', even if its diversity isn't all-encompassing, far-reaching and perfect. Its lessons, its warnings, its history, the legacy it represents, these remain vital to teach everywhere. Education is key.
Bye, 'Internment'. I might forget your content - characters, story - but not your lessons.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Another extremely relevant YA novel, hopefully a standalone.
Make no mistake, the author doesn't attempt to hide in the slightest that 'Internment' is set in our world. It contains current pop culture, media and political references. It most likely would not even exist if the 2016 presidential election had turned out differently. This 2019 novel is unapologetically political; its events could happen tomorrow - in fact, in ways that are underreported it is happening - and not in some distant, nondescript future like in any other dystopian book.
We live in dangerous times, where social progress and basic human rights are constantly threatened; a fact that is so painfully obvious that it's not a bit humorous, and 'Internment' is much needed. Similar to 'The Hate U Give', it is YA that reflects our contemporary society. It's not merely diverse, it's life. It serves a purpose that is real, harrowing, horrifying, and educational, as well as entertaining, and everyone will benefit from reading it. 'Internment' could be far more unsettling than 'The Hunger Games'.
Internment camps are a travesty, a human rights violation, rooted in prejudice. They are one of history's sickest, most disgraceful mistakes, no better than Nazi concentration camps, that cannot and should not be repeated. Yet turn on the news, follow today's politics, and what do you hear? What are our so-called wise, overprivileged, adult authoritarian politicians high up in government - certain someones who would very much like to be called "Leader" - doing with their power?
Fascism is increasing, as is Islamophobia and other prejudices. Groups of people's right to exist is still being debated. How did we get here?
Samira Ahmed's debut is brilliant. Action-based, addictive writing that can be devoured in two days at least - another reason it reminded me of 'The Hunger Games'. As well as biting, angry social commentary that is impossible to ignore, the characters are unforgettable, some almost breathtaking in their uniqueness.
The heroine, Layla Amin, may appear to be a typical tough, hardheaded and reckless teenage girl protag in YA, but she is very brave, considerate, highly educated despite being forced to miss school due to bigotry, and she's snarky and funny. She was created to be inspirational.
Muslim-Americans are forced into an internment camp, called Mobius, in a desert in the middle of nowhere. Layla won't stay silent in the face of this injustice, where her freedom, and that of her family and people, is taken away, just because they exist, and are viewed as Other in America. The millions of them that live there are "a threat to America".
Muslim-Americans are Americans. And they are consistently reduced to scapegoats, the Enemy in full view of the real enemy - racists, and those nostalgic for the racist past. "Security" and "Prosperity" are lies, excuses. Any excuse to have an Other, to put blame on the underprivileged, and for a white man to hold a gun, and feel powerful and in control of the weak.
All bullies are cowards, alright.
Mobius won't be the only internment camp set up in American soil...
Bigotry kills. Anger at injustice, the natural human need for freedom - revolutions - will never die.
Layla's parents are afraid for their daughter, so they mostly stay silent in the devastating situation which destroys their lives, where one night they are suddenly forced into Mobius, because Layla's father wrote poetry that is vaguely about freedom, love and unity - truly values that America doesn't tolerate. The parents are not bad people. Before the "Muslim ban" in America, they allowed Layla as much freedom as she wanted. They clearly love their teenage Layla and want to protect her, and if that means submitting to subjugation for fear of torture or death, then they'll make the best of passivity, even as it kills them inside. Their love and support for, and rhythm with, each other refuses to die, however. It's refreshing to see loving, if not wholly supportive, parents in YA, and after reading about the typically strict, rigid, conservative Muslim parents in 'The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali', I am so happy about this.
Layla makes instant female friends with Ayesha at the camp. Ayesha is a ray of sunshine, very funny, confident and rebellious, but vulnerable and sensitive as well. The two girls work wonderfully together. Female friendship in YA is always important for representation. And it's not only Ayesha. Layla makes other female friends, young and old - as old as in the eighties, in fact - Indian, Arab, and African-American. Different ethnicities.
Muslims, even but especially those marginalized within their own community, will come together. To survive. Out of love and anger as well as fear, put to good use. United as human beings deserving to live as equals among their society: demanding rights and respect, the freedom to practice their faith as much as other religious groups in America.
All thanks to the voice and actions of a teenage girl, who refuses to remain silent.
I am a bit dubious about Layla's relationship with one of the internment camp's corporals, Jake Reynolds, who is white but is sympathetic towards the imprisoned Muslims, and is working undercover for another, secret revolutionary movement, aside from young Layla's own. He is a nice enough character, but I don't care for him as much as the author probably wants me to. Is he doing all he can to protect Layla and other Muslims? Doubtful. Jake seems too close and fond of Layla, and in dialogue it is offhandedly implied that he has feelings for her, though it is established that he is maybe only a few years older than she is. Layla has a boyfriend, David, who is black and Jewish, and is trying to help her from outside Mobius. Layla loves him very much, in spite of his mishaps, and while she grows to care for Jake, thank good foresight that there isn't really a love triangle in 'Internment' - as if YA dystopia needs anymore of those kisses of death! So Jake's possible feelings concerning Layla stay one-sided.
That was too close.
A star-crossed love between a brown-skinned Muslim teen internee and one of her white complicit captors, when she has a black Jewish boyfriend, would have been bad enough.
Layla's parents are supportive of Layla and David's relationship. Further refreshing representation, amid all the bigotry shown as the villain of human progress and love in the book.
But aside from that uncomfortable trope barely averted, 'Internment' is a must-read (also, sadly, very little, passive LBGTQ rep, I might add). A major theme is the bravery, flexibility, open-mindedness, and righteous energy of the younger generation - of millennials, who are often referred to with scorn, if not outright hatred - as opposed to the fear, inhibitions, jadedness and pessimism of the older generation. With age comes experience, but also apathy and fatigue. And forgetfulness. Most adults are too tired and cynical to do anything to affect positive change in society. The youth are capable of perfectly recognising what's right and what's wrong, and armed with a strong, angry fire burning freshly inside them, they are willing to do something about it. Parents can learn more from their children, than vice versa. This is so true of today it is heartwrenching. Another argument against toxic nostalgia, too.
'Internment' - tells it like it is, right down to the blunt, no-bullshit title. You'll love the heroes (Jake's inclusion and impact is highly debatable, however), and hate the villains who are obviously based on real life bigoted political figures.
Silence and enabling are not golden. You will live in fear, rot inside, and die regardless. "Thoughts and prayers" do nothing in the long run. Do something. Stand up, and demand justice.
'Internment' - dystopia that is set yesterday.
We can't afford to let this happen. To let it keep happening.
Keep going. Keep moving forward. United.
Revolution.
Survival.
For the sake of our future, and for future generations.
'What’s that thing people always say about history? Unless we know our history, we’re doomed to repeat it? Never forget? Isn’t that the lesson? But we always forget. Forgetting is in the American grain.'
'One detail that’s impossible to miss? Just like in the train station, every person with a gun is white, and not white like maybe they’re Bosnian—the kind of white that thinks internment camps are going to make America great again.'
Final Score: 4/5
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