Example of Review Text

Book Identity

·         Tittle                     : If I Should Speak

·         Writer                  : Umm Zakiyyah

·         Translated From : If I Should Speak: A Novel

·         ISBN Number      :  ISBN 978-602-8236-47-8

·         Publisher             : Al-Walaa Publications College Park, MD USA

                             Mizan Media Utama, Indonesia

·         Edition                 : First Published, June 2009

                               Second Published, September 2009

·         Translator             : Ary Nilandari

·         Editor                    : Adityas Prabantoro

·         Proofreader         : Eti Rohaeti

·         Cover Design       : M. Roniyadi

·         Type Of Book       : Fiction Novel

·         Total Page            : 380 Page

·         Total Chapter      : 15 Page

·         Text                       : Indonesian

·         Type Of Cover      : Soft Cover

1.   Summary

           

            “If I Should Speak” is an emotionally captivating story of 3 young college girls- Tamika, Dee and Aminah. Tamika, the main character, is an African-American soul searching young woman, soon to finish college with great ambitions. It all begins when Tamika has a big fight with her roommate and is almost expelled from university, only because of her ethnicity. Unable to fight racial discrimination, she has no choice but to move in with Dee & Aminah. She is overjoyed to find out she had be living with Durrah, or Dee as better known to people, a popular and talented upcoming model & singer, entangled in the fitnah of her environment. She is surprised to learn Dee is a Muslim. Do Islam & singing go together? 

            Aminah is the polite and perfect practicing Muslim who fulfills all her worldly and religious obligations and is well read about her religion. How can Dee get along with her? Confused, but still happy with her roommates, she watches them pray. Tamika’s curiosity is aroused even more and so she decides to do her paper on Islam for her Religion class. Her fitrah pricks at her subconsciousness as she has long discussions with Aminah, who skillfully clears up common misconceptions of Islam relating to Christianity, polygamy, hijab, etc and helps her with books and resources for her paper. Aminah confidently does da’wah, careful not to offend her new reflective roommate.

            At the same time, Tamika finds that among the many interests she shares with Dee is their passion for music. Drawn to Dee’s carefree personality, confidence and talent, both sing together and aspire to become singers someday. As Tamika learns more about Islam, she is torn between her conflicting struggles: fulfilling a lifetime dream of becoming a singer or accepting Islam.

2.    Target

This novel is recommended for any ages.

3.    Spelling and Language Style

The text of the story use conversational language and daily conversation. So it will be easy for us to understand the story. But beside those things, the writer insert some figure of speech so, the literary of the story is more clearly visible.

4.    Weakness Of The Book

It’s hard to find the weakness from the book, because everything just so great. But also it has some weakness like hard words or figure of speech that can make us repeat at the same sentence to understand what they are trying to explain.

5.    Excess Of The Book

The book, full of life, has a perfect balance of literary techniques to keep our interest - descriptive language, characters, emotions, settings, imagery, and a thrilling plot. Once you pick it up, you will not be able to put it down. An outstanding work of fiction, yet so realistic it pulls you along, with smiles and tears, to the very end. Oh, and not only is it a bestseller in Islamic fiction across the globe, but also used in colleges! You will love every moment of it. If it does not change your life, it will give you a lot to think about.

6.   Conclusion

And by the explanation above, this novel is deserves to be a collection. This novel have touched the lives of readers across the world, inspiring non-Muslims to accept Islam, Muslims to renew their faith, and avid readers to enjoy compelling, heart-moving tales. So certainly we can take the messages from the story so we can be a better person.

Source: http://peri-silvermist.blogspot.co.id/2015/07/contoh-resensi-novel-bahasa-inggris-if.html