Amity Park – Book Review
By Saleem Safdar
I am so grateful to have received an advanced reader copy of this novella, Amity Park. This book is not released yet, but it will be coming soon.
It was a fairly quick read, as it is a novella, but it’s a book you will keep thinking about after you put it down. It opens strong with dialogue, jumping right into the story. You’ll read about Shaila and Ibrahim running around the playground the way children should, without any worries or cares. The story develops quickly as we move from chapter to chapter, as we learn more about Mark, our main character.
Life happens fast for Mark and it makes sense that the pacing of this story often moves fast, as well. It’s a story you will immerse yourself in and not want to put down until the end. Be warned, however, that this story doesn’t shy away from tough subjects. And that is one of many things that makes it such a great read.
Amity Park explores identity, discrimination, repentance, and the strength of humanity in a thought-provoking novella. The narrative centers on Mark, a high school student whose life changes dramatically when he visits a park from his youth and makes friends with Baba, an elderly Muslim man. Mark embarks on a path of self-discovery and moral development as he struggles with the influences of his peers as well as the violence and miscommunications in his environment.
We see things from Mark’s perspective as he struggles to navigate the often difficult times of his youth. And we also see his relationship with Baba as it grows, and as he learns from this mentor.
The story masterfully captures Mark’s internal turmoil and his fight to overcome the bigoted beliefs of some of his classmates. His encounters with Baba teach him important lessons about tolerance, forgiveness, and cultural awareness. The novel doesn’t hold back when tackling difficult societal issues, but it does so with nuance and compassion, giving readers enough to think about.
You’ll also find a lot of things that you can relate to with Mark, even if your story isn’t exactly the same. This novella will cause you to reflect on your own life, memories, experiences, and especially the things that shaped you the much growing up.
In addition to its captivating plot, this book is notable for how it depicts deep connections and human growth. Amity Park is a powerful book that serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the bravery required to question the existing quo. Readers who appreciate novels with moral depth and characters who experience genuine, positive transformation will find this to be the ideal choice.
I really enjoyed it and highly recommend!
Amity Park is coming soon and I will update this post with the links to purchase once it is live!