I’ve made an effort to explore translated fiction and broaden my genre preferences, but I found the writing style in this one too challenging to connect with.

I understood after I picked up this book that it had become very controversial when first published in Dutch with threats being unfortunately issued to the author. It is definitely frank with strong opinions of the author, it raises many issues to consider, though is not very well written. The central character is given the name Busra (a 20-year-old woman), but as has been widely reported, is clearly inspired by the author herself.

Busra, her parents, brother Halil and sister Defne live in Amsterdam West. Her parents had migrated from Turkey and they continue to be in touch with relatives there, visiting every year. Her grandmother Oma is also in Amsterdam, and Busra feels freer with her. Her parents are ultra-conservative, heeding the advice of the cleric in the local mosque to the letter. This means for Busra - being fully covered, avoiding talking to males, watching content declared safe etc. The children also attend a religious school, and are expected to accord more importance to that. She finds it stifling as it is contrast to the local culture, and even within her community, the males have far fewer restrictions. The local cleric keeps warning the community of the decadence prevalent in the country and the need to be virtuous. Lali, without her parents’ knowledge has a boyfriend and insists on working. She is careful though to cover her head, as is expected. She knows that she has to decide her way forward and this double life cannot continue – either to be open & brave risking isolation or to align to her parents’ expectations.

This book raises many important matters related to – cultural identity, gender inequality, assimilation, co-existence, personal choice and aspirations. I was reminded in some ways of “Educated” by Tara Westover; though the circumstances and details are very different, there are a few common aspects related to negation of many aspects of modernity. As part of the story, the cultural underpinnings of her family are described well. Unfortunately, this is otherwise a poorly written book, many sections being bitter & derisive in tone. Her message of personal choice would have made a better impact had the outlook being more mature, rather than coming across as rambling. Nevertheless, there are important aspects to her story.

Lale Gül wrote "I Will Live" as a 22-23 year old, which shows through her writing. It's a unique combination of immaturity and yet certain life experiences and access to the Turkish culture that white Westerners her age won't have. And from the interviews with author it becomes clear that the plot is strongly influenced by her own life.

The main character that Gül wrote, Büsra, has this young rebelliousness to her that can't fully flourish because of the constraints of her "begetters", which is how Büsra calls her parents. Rules imposed by her family are in contradiction to the life Büsra wants to live but her survival instinct leads her ot actually living a double life. On one hand it may be completely non understandable, as she is an adult, yet as the story goes, becomes more and more clear. It's hard to escape when you have no actual comfortable place to go and if you don't want to severe ties with a young and impressionable sibling.

Gül's writing is a criticism of Turkish-Islamic culture and "I Will Live" reads like a manifesto but I'm afraid it won't be understood outside the Dutch context.

This was a different read for me but I something drew me to it and I am glad it did. This book gave me an insight into a world of danger for women that still exists. I loved following Büsra as she rebels.

I Will Live by Lale Gul tells the story of Busra,a young Dutch girl rebelling against the constraints of her Turkish migrant parents' strict adherence to their Muslim beliefs. Living a double life Busra tries to live the life of a normal Dutch teenager with a secret non-Muslim boyfriend, drinking,make up and friends of both genders while reflecting on the constraints of her Mother in particular,and neighbours and family in general ,trying to strictly regulate her life, expecting her to conform exactly to the teachings of the Quran.

This is a great read on a number of levels,as well as Busra's conflict as she's torn between 2 cultures it tells of the migrant experience with an older generation keeping their links to their home country while second generation younger people try to assimilate with a less restrictive society that they're more influenced by than their insular elders.

I Will Live is more than a novel,it's an in-depth look at Islam and its treatment of women, racism, the migrant experience of low-skilled people .....once wanted,now often less than welcome....the generational schism between some first-generation migrants and their more assimilated children and much,much more. A very intelligent and insightful book.

Very excited for this inspiring novel! It a shame a double standard still exists, but it very much does! I’m so looking forward to sharing full thoughts and a review on this story. It’s such an inspiration to woman everywhere seeing someone try to live their life independently and passionately as possible despite what society/family dictates, but woman need to remember as well safety is always key.