Review: Huda F Wants to Know?
From the moment I cracked open "Huda F Wants to Know?" by Huda Fahmy, I felt a rush of familiar emotions that only graphic novels can evoke. This third installment in the Huda series promised to delve deep into family dynamics and the often uncomfortable territory of personal upheaval, and boy, did it deliver! As a longtime admirer of Fahmy’s work, I was eagerly anticipating how she would tackle the topic of divorce, especially through the lens of a vibrant Muslim family.
In this latest adventure, we find Huda navigating her junior year and meticulously plotting her path to her dream college. The stakes are high for this ambitious teen, but everything changes when her parents drop the devastating bombshell of their impending divorce. The emotional whirlwind that ensues is not merely a backdrop—it’s the very heartbeat of the narrative. Huda, alongside her sisters, grapples with the implications of this seismic shift, and what I appreciated most was how Fahmy captured the complexity of their feelings without veering into melodrama.
The story masterfully balances serious themes of mental health and family disruption with a refreshing dose of humor. For instance, Huda’s inner dialogues featuring her shoulder angel and devil inject a comical yet relatable perspective that keeps the narrative light, even when wrestling with darker realities. This stylistic choice adds layers to Huda’s character, allowing readers to engage with her thought process and emotions in an insightful way.
Another highlight for me was the stunning artwork—each panel bursting with life, mirroring Huda’s lively personality. The illustrations offer a unique perspective on her world, making the emotional beats even more impactful. Plus, it was a joy to see the clever "Huda F" declarations that added both humor and depth to her character exploration.
Perhaps what struck me the most was how authentically Fahmy portrays the struggles faced by families in conservative cultures when coping with divorce. The stigma, the gossip, the expectation—all of it resonated deeply with my own cultural experiences, making the story feel even more personal. The conversations depicted in the book, while tough, feel genuine and reflective of the real hurdles many face.
The epilogue on mental health resources, particularly geared towards young Muslims, was a thoughtful and necessary touch. Fahmy does not shy away from showing that healing is a journey, not a quick fix, which adds realism to Huda’s narrative arc.
As I flipped the final page, I was left with a bittersweet sense of hope. "Huda F Wants to Know?" is not just a graphic novel; it’s a heartfelt exploration of resilience in the face of life’s upheavals. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone—especially teens and young adults—seeking authenticity in storytelling that resonates on multiple levels. With a rating of 4.75 stars, it’s undoubtedly the best installment yet, and I can’t wait to see what Huda does next.
For anyone who has appreciated the earlier Huda F books or is looking for an OwnVoices graphic novel that deftly balances humor with serious issues, this is your next read. Trust me; you won’t want to miss it!