A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan - OPTIONAL

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan, 416 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $19.

Language: R (139 swears, 39 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mina, a high school senior, will have time to figure out her emotions and mental health later. Right now, she needs to focus on avoiding her parents, getting into USC, and winning the Golden Ivy student film competition – all the things that will make her life better. Unfortunately, Mina just made an enemy out of her best chance at winning the film competition via insulting him. Multiple times.

Bhuiyan has written a good book with realistic characters – and I especially loved the occasional use of beautiful Arabic words. But I did not like Mina because of how she treats people. At first, just those she deems aren’t worth her time are those she treats poorly, but then she extends poor treatment to those she counts as loved ones because Mina blinds herself to other’s needs. I understand how it happened and how it fits into her character growth, but it was still hard to read with a protagonist I didn’t like. Also, you should read the author’s note.

Mina and her family are Bangladeshi Muslims, and Emmitt is half Chinese, half Spanish. There are a few other non-white side characters mentioned, including Nigerian and Brazilian. The mature content rating is for mention of alcohol, making out, and innuendo.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen