Love, Hate, and Other Filters

Book Review
Create an atmosphere in which everyone feels accepted, loved, and respected. This is
the life Maya Aziz wanted. In a story titled “Love, Hate & Other Filters,” Indian-Muslim author
Samira Ahmed wrote this novel out of love, hope, experience, and for all of us. The story takes
place in Springfield, Illinois, and is young-adult friction with a realistic element. Maya, her
parents, and Phil are the focus of the story. The novel follows the journey of Maya, a seventeen-
year-old teenager, as she learns to stand up for herself and her beliefs amidst the conflict of her
parent's expectations, societal norms, and dreams. The central conflict of the story is Man vs
Society. Maya's struggles with Islamophobia, cultural divides, and a reality she cannot escape
or explain are obstacles she must overcome, survive, and make peace with. The story is from
Maya’s perspective and is told in the first person.

The story opens up with the narration, saying, “Destiny sucks. Sure, it can be all heart-
bursting and undeniable, and Bollywood dance numbers and meet me at the Empire State
Building. Except when someone else wants to decide who I’m going to sleep with for the rest of
my life. Then destiny is a bloodsucker, and not the swoony, sparkly vampire kind.”. This is how
Maya Aziz, an enthusiastic seventeen-year-old teenager, describes destiny. She is an Indian-
Muslim living in Batavia, Illinois, where the author of the book Samira Ahmed grew up and
experience the same situation that Maya Aziz goes through in the book. Ahmed believes that
Batavia, Illinois is a great place to use in her first book as it is a big part of her life. The book's
rising action gives us the impression that love isn't just about happiness and convenience, but
that it also has problems that every relationship has. Just like how Maya in the book struggles
with the fact that, despite her feelings for an All-American boy named Phil. Her overprotective
parents, on the other hand, desired that she marry a Charming Indian young man. "I guess I
don't know how to live the life I want and still be a good daughter," Maya says, expressing her
frustration and sadness. The story is told in first person. In this kind of story, the narrator is a
character in the story who tells the story from their point of view. This line demonstrates that she
doesn't know how to live a life doing what she while also being the daughter that her parents
wanted her to be.

The climax of the story Love, Hate, and Other Filters reveals an important message:
terror attacks are more than just an act of rage, they can have a huge impact on an entire
society. It is clear that this story focuses on a central conflict of man versus society. In this story,
Maya's personal journey serves as an allegory for wider issues in society and the
consequences of prejudice and hatred. The climax of the story emphasizes how the actions of
individuals can affect those around them, making it a powerful reminder of the importance of
compassion and understanding. Maya's life was turned upside down when a terrorist attack
occurred nearby in Batavia, Illinois. The hometown that she has known since birth becomes
unrecognizable in the story; neighbors and classmates are consumed with fear, bigotry, and
hatred, especially since the top suspect in the bombing is also named Aziz. This situation
provides insight into the community's daily struggles and challenges, particularly Islamophobia.
In the falling action, parents should understand that every teenager needs to grow, and if an
accident occurs that causes trauma, parents should never allow it to hinder their children's
development. Inhibiting children's dreams may cause them to grow apart from their parents,
which is why they must always know how to support them while also advising their children. The
story ends with Maya saying, “Romances, like this one, are simply short-subject documentaries-
lacking traditional narratives and quippy dialogue. Everyday people lying next to each other on a
makeshift beach, the mottled spring light passing through the dense trees before softly
surrendering dusk.”

Love, Hate & Other Filters is an inspiring coming-of-age story for young adults. Maya
Aziz is a Muslim teenager who is struggling with her parents' strict expectations and it gives her
the hard decision of whether she should follow her parent's wishes or take the risk to follow her
heart. This story instills in its readers an innate sense of making their own decisions and doing
their best in everything. This story resonates with many, if not all, readers as they feel
constrained to be a good daughter to their parents, even if it means sacrificing their future,
romantic life, and happiness. The story is also a realistic conflict as the conflict that the main
character faced is a real-life situation that many people can relate to. By reading this story,
young adults will be reassured that no matter how hard it may seem, making your own decisions
and being true to yourself is the best way to lead your life. The background of the setting in
Love, Hate, and Other Filters provides a realistic context to explore the issue of Islamophobia.
The author, Samira Ahmed, grew up in Batavia, Illinois, and this adds to the authenticity of the
story and its characters. This personal connection serves to illustrate how pervasive and
destructive Islamophobia is in our society. The story provides an important insight into this real-
life situation and encourages readers to reflect on their own perspectives and biases. By
examining these issues through the lens of love, hate, and other filters, Ahmed’s work resonates
with readers and raises awareness about the impact of Islamophobia.

I recommend Samira Ahmed's Love, Hate, and Other Filters to any teenager or young at
heart looking for a coming-of-age story to which everyone can relate on a personal level. Ahmed
tells an interesting and relatable story, particularly in today's society, where the nature of hatred
and love are daily struggles. The novel teaches readers that regardless of religion or skin color,
everyone can find their place in the world and be determined to make their mark. Everyone has
their path to follow, and everyone should instill in their minds that other people's opinions don't
matter. Furthermore, this teaches us that, even when hate emerges from the darkest corners,
leaders not only accept but encourage cruelty, and that, despite horrific violence, people
continue to rise, not against the force of hate, but for equality and justice. As Samira Ahmed
said, “You are loved. You are enough. Let your light shine. I wrote this book for you”. never lose
sight of the fact that no matter how hateful and tragic life can be, love is still present and will
always be. This story will touch the hearts and minds of those who are and will be reading it
because it strikes a beautiful balance, stating an important story for those who see themselves
reflected in the narrative and those who do not.