lollierey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
“So I left. What I learned from this was that no one would ever want the burden of caring for me, of healing me, not for the next twenty years, not ever. I had to do everything myself. Later, I understood that we all do.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
becausebrenna's review
Spoiler
talking about thumbelina as a clitoris? Nope! I’m out! I tried
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
al_ee_t's review against another edition
3.0
It's a story, her story about her experience with being Palestinian, queer and obese. It was a quick read and I was entertained but I have a hard time figuring out what the end goal was except to tell the story. I don't want to "ruin" anything in the book but I don't know that I'd walk around recommending it.
dkhoury's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. Before reading, I was expecting a more traditional, chronological narration. However, Randa Jarrar recounts her cross-country road trip while oscillating between the past and present in her life. I found it more personal, as if she were telling me these stories face to face. Her narrative voice is warm, yet biting - very on-brand for an Arab woman! She holds NOTHING back and tells it all with wit and a level of candidness I admire.
Western media doesn’t give the same level of credence to Middle Eastern stories as with those of other ethnic backgrounds. Usually, the Middle East is represented as a monolith, veiled by many grossly over-exaggerated and inaccurate stereotypes. More often than not, these representations neglect the rich and varied cultures and histories of each country within the region. Since I grew up in America as a Middle Eastern woman who also passes as white, I connected with a lot of what Randa had to say on racial identity. I felt seen and represented.
Although I started it in March, I read most of the book today. Overall, it’s a quick read that draws you in.
Western media doesn’t give the same level of credence to Middle Eastern stories as with those of other ethnic backgrounds. Usually, the Middle East is represented as a monolith, veiled by many grossly over-exaggerated and inaccurate stereotypes. More often than not, these representations neglect the rich and varied cultures and histories of each country within the region. Since I grew up in America as a Middle Eastern woman who also passes as white, I connected with a lot of what Randa had to say on racial identity. I felt seen and represented.
Although I started it in March, I read most of the book today. Overall, it’s a quick read that draws you in.
lonesomelovee's review against another edition
4.0
Unbelievably candid and honest. I actually am at a loss for words rn.
vivacissimx's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great example of how the lens of identity is way too simplistic to actually describe an experience. The author is Muslim only because Islam is intertwined with Arab culture, and Arab although she is perceived as white by the people around her, and queer although the formative, often abusive, relationships she describes in the book are all with men. So if you are looking for a memoir from a queer Muslim WOC this will not satisfy that itch, nonetheless there is some powerful writing here.
lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
5.0
If you read this I'd suggest the audiobook. It's read by the author but unlike many of the bloodless readings by other authors feels engaging, dynamic, and fits the tone of the memoir.