Amongst the Believers

The first book I reviewed of Kochery C. Shibu's Amongst the Believers, tries to address several big themes — faith, personal struggles, social pressures in life — but falters in parts. The story, which is set against a backdrop of Kerala, also explores the way characters contend with their beliefs and how they are perceived by their respective communities. The book shows promise but drops the ball in managing some characters and themes.

Plot and Themes: This book is mostly concerned with the struggle between personal passions and religious responsibilities, and how profoundly faith can affect individual lives. The themes of identity and belief are quite fascinating, but at times the story feels predictable and flat. The characters' personal struggles are often overwhelmed by the crushing weight of social and religious pressure, rendering any development of them inherently superficial.

More troublingly, the book associates Muslims with extremism and terrorism in its portrayals of them in a stereotypical fashion. It is a theme that crops up repeatedly throughout the tale and is a source of trouble. Rather than providing a nuanced, more diverse picture of Muslim characters, the book takes an easy — and hurtful — route to confirming negative stereotypes. This kind of representation is one-dimensional and offers little insight into the complexities of the Muslim world.

Characterization:
The characters in “Amongst the Believers” are not well-developed, making it hard for readers to connect with them. While Shibu tries to show people struggling with faith and identity, many characters come across as tools for the author's social commentary rather than real, fleshed-out individuals. Muslim characters, in particular, are often reduced to their religious identity and connected to radicalism and violence. This is a limiting and unfair portrayal, which misses an opportunity to explore the full complexity of these characters.

Writing Style:
The writing is clear but lacks the depth needed to make the book stand out. There are moments where the characters reflect on their lives, but these moments often feel overshadowed by the way the themes are handled. The pacing can be uneven, and the dialogue, though functional, doesn't carry the emotional weight that the story needs.

Cultural and Social Commentary:
The book tries to explore the role of religion in society, but the way it uses stereotypes weakens its message. The portrayal of Muslims as terrorists or extremists feels outdated and unfair. It's important to critique religion in society, but doing so in a way that targets one community in a negative light doesn't promote healthy discussion or understanding.

Final Thoughts:
In the end, “Amongst the Believers” had the potential to be a deeper and more meaningful exploration of faith, identity, and societal pressures, but it doesn't fully deliver. The portrayal of Muslims, in particular, is disappointing because it relies on harmful stereotypes that take away from the novel's message. While the book touches on important topics, it does so in a way that feels shallow and unfair. If you're looking for a more thoughtful and balanced exploration of these themes, this book may not be the best choice.