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hedge_hog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
billiamslibrary's review against another edition
2.0
I read this is one sitting and usually that would mean that the book would get a higher rating from me but there just wasn’t a whole too this book, despite its attempts to handle some very heavy topics. Every character felt one note, the story rushed, and in the end unresolved. I appreciated some of the slice of life moments of a group of an adult gay friends and open relationships, but much of it was stereotypical
Lastly, something that almost broke the book entirely for me was the inability to correctly use pop cultural references that make sense for the characters. There is no way a group of gay men in their late twenties and early thirties do not know the movie “Mean Girls”. Assuming this book takes place in 2020, these men would have been in middle school or high school when the movie was released. They would at least know references from this movie. It’s more likely that the kid in this story wouldn’t know that movie. This is just one several misuses and anachronism in the book.
Lastly, something that almost broke the book entirely for me was the inability to correctly use pop cultural references that make sense for the characters. There is no way a group of gay men in their late twenties and early thirties do not know the movie “Mean Girls”. Assuming this book takes place in 2020, these men would have been in middle school or high school when the movie was released. They would at least know references from this movie. It’s more likely that the kid in this story wouldn’t know that movie. This is just one several misuses and anachronism in the book.
reneekgood's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Funny and wry coming of age and coming out story. Feels weirdly companionable with The Pairing by Casey McQuiston.
booksrlush_'s review
4.0
If close your eyes just a little, you can see the sunset setting over the piazzale, you can taste the sweet notes of the wine, you smell the ocean breeze mixing with the delicious food and best of all you can feel Amir heart beat every step of the way.
Amir is Muslim and Iranian. Amir is gay.
These are both facts.
When his life is turned upside down by a class mate who threatens to out him to his family Amir is at a crossroads, let his life fall apart or run away. Amir chooses to run away but in doing so he discovers something he never thought possible. He discovers the real him. In Rome he meets a group of people, who are all gay he finds through this group acceptance.
I really enjoyed the way of this narrative, we not only follow Amir in a how we got here stance with flashbacks we follow his mum, dad and sister. How they find out where their son ran of to and why he ran. I like how we seen through all different perspectives and how messy the journey was. Not everything is easy and somethings are hard but sometimes you need to run through the quick sand in order to make it to the other side.
The reason this book wasn’t a 5 star read is because I find I wanted more of religious aspect it was pitched in a certain way and it does deliver I just wish it delivered more, Also the nipple story which I had been previously warned about was quite disturbing and all throughout the book I couldn’t get it out my head, I want to know if this story is fictitious!
Amir is Muslim and Iranian. Amir is gay.
These are both facts.
When his life is turned upside down by a class mate who threatens to out him to his family Amir is at a crossroads, let his life fall apart or run away. Amir chooses to run away but in doing so he discovers something he never thought possible. He discovers the real him. In Rome he meets a group of people, who are all gay he finds through this group acceptance.
I really enjoyed the way of this narrative, we not only follow Amir in a how we got here stance with flashbacks we follow his mum, dad and sister. How they find out where their son ran of to and why he ran. I like how we seen through all different perspectives and how messy the journey was. Not everything is easy and somethings are hard but sometimes you need to run through the quick sand in order to make it to the other side.
The reason this book wasn’t a 5 star read is because I find I wanted more of religious aspect it was pitched in a certain way and it does deliver I just wish it delivered more, Also the nipple story which I had been previously warned about was quite disturbing and all throughout the book I couldn’t get it out my head, I want to know if this story is fictitious!
sirkkuwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
delph's review against another edition
I'm somewhere in the middle: I liked the book but also disliked some parts.
I liked how easy it was to read. I also like how the author built the whole story: between Amir's journey in Italy and all the scenes in the airport. Amir finding his "new family" in Italy, somewhere where he fitted in, somewhere people could finally understand him honestly warmed my heart.
But also, I was a bit taken aback by some aspects of the story, especially the fact that Amir, an 18 year old boy who just graduated high school, spent all his time in Italy with 30ish adults. Maybe it's just me but this age gap really disturbed me. I mean, I have nothing against them hanging out together but you really felt the age gap: one of the running gag was Amir not understanding some movie references because he was too young when the movie was first broadcasted in movie theater. More than that, Amir even hooked up with one of the adult. Also, another 30-somethingèyear-old adult kinda tries/implies something but Amir brushed him off. But the intent was there you know? The adult actually wanted something.
Anyway, maybe it's just me, maybe I just don't like big age gap. I don't know.
I liked how easy it was to read. I also like how the author built the whole story: between Amir's journey in Italy and all the scenes in the airport. Amir finding his "new family" in Italy, somewhere where he fitted in, somewhere people could finally understand him honestly warmed my heart.
But also, I was a bit taken aback by some aspects of the story, especially the fact that Amir, an 18 year old boy who just graduated high school, spent all his time in Italy with 30ish adults. Maybe it's just me but this age gap really disturbed me. I mean, I have nothing against them hanging out together but you really felt the age gap: one of the running gag was Amir not understanding some movie references because he was too young when the movie was first broadcasted in movie theater. More than that, Amir even hooked up with one of the adult. Also, another 30-somethingèyear-old adult kinda tries/implies something but Amir brushed him off. But the intent was there you know? The adult actually wanted something.
Anyway, maybe it's just me, maybe I just don't like big age gap. I don't know.
confuzzledreader's review against another edition
4.0
Being a Muslim comes with its own stereotypes, and the very common one is a terrorist tag which of course is very prejudicial to their interests.
So the story begins with - Amir Azadi, an 18 year old Muslim boy held at the US Customs office with all of his family members for interrogation. There he tells his story of how he ran away from his home because of being blackmailed by his classmates for being a gay.
Belonging to a traditional and conservative Muslim family, Amir was very much scared of coming out to his parents as a gay, because in their religion there's no term as homosexuality. He was on the verge of telling them the truth, when one of his classmates started blackmailing him for money. He felt stuck and thought of running away so that he could save himself from the judging eyes of his family when they would get to know the truth.
He landed in Rome, where he met new people who were totally different from him. They were so open and confident regarding their identities and hardly cared what people thought about them. Amir was getting used to the life in Rome and was enjoying the time of his life. He was going on dates and found love. But life ain't the same every time.Will he be able to face his parents? Will he be able to come out?"
Life’s not about keeping score like that. It’s just not. It’s about finding people who see you, because the minute they do, everything else goes away. All the points even out.”
I loved reading this book. This was quite refreshing to read after all the serious books I've been reading. The characters were well developed and I loved knowing about each and every one of Amir's friends. They all felt so relatable and I loved how each of them had their own little story of their own. I loved how the author discussed the sensitive issues of homosexuality through different characters.Also while reading the book I was drooling over the mentions of Pizzas and Pastas. And the way the author described Rome, I fell in love with the place. I want to visit it now LOL.
Though I wanted to read more of Jackson, since he was the very first love interest of Amir, but the author didn't develop his character much.Overall it was an engaging read and I was hooked to the book till the end. The book is well paced and the narration is good too. The language is easy and understandable.
If you are looking for a voice book, then go for it.
So the story begins with - Amir Azadi, an 18 year old Muslim boy held at the US Customs office with all of his family members for interrogation. There he tells his story of how he ran away from his home because of being blackmailed by his classmates for being a gay.
Belonging to a traditional and conservative Muslim family, Amir was very much scared of coming out to his parents as a gay, because in their religion there's no term as homosexuality. He was on the verge of telling them the truth, when one of his classmates started blackmailing him for money. He felt stuck and thought of running away so that he could save himself from the judging eyes of his family when they would get to know the truth.
He landed in Rome, where he met new people who were totally different from him. They were so open and confident regarding their identities and hardly cared what people thought about them. Amir was getting used to the life in Rome and was enjoying the time of his life. He was going on dates and found love. But life ain't the same every time.Will he be able to face his parents? Will he be able to come out?"
Life’s not about keeping score like that. It’s just not. It’s about finding people who see you, because the minute they do, everything else goes away. All the points even out.”
I loved reading this book. This was quite refreshing to read after all the serious books I've been reading. The characters were well developed and I loved knowing about each and every one of Amir's friends. They all felt so relatable and I loved how each of them had their own little story of their own. I loved how the author discussed the sensitive issues of homosexuality through different characters.Also while reading the book I was drooling over the mentions of Pizzas and Pastas. And the way the author described Rome, I fell in love with the place. I want to visit it now LOL.
Though I wanted to read more of Jackson, since he was the very first love interest of Amir, but the author didn't develop his character much.Overall it was an engaging read and I was hooked to the book till the end. The book is well paced and the narration is good too. The language is easy and understandable.
If you are looking for a voice book, then go for it.
kgs339's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
toebean5's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, there are lots of reviews for this that are all about what it isn't. How odd. I wasn't expecting much- just wanted to preview this in advance of Banned Books Week (because yes, this was pulled from some school library shelves in this state) but I got sucked in. Amir is figuring it all out- identity, familial and cultural expectations, what to do with his life- and when everything comes to a head he decides to escape. But not by suicide or self-destructive choices, which can happen in YA books; but by flying to Rome. Yes, please. Amir gets to have this wonderful, incredible month abroad- meeting sophisticated, attractive Italians and expats who validate his identity, give him a cultural education I was shocked he was lacking in (he didn't know about drag queens?!), and have a glorious, fun time. For the first time.
There are some pretty unbelievable parts (he just, like, has an apartment? do people really make a living from editing Wikpedia articles? someone was carrying a giant plate of saucy meatballs by an unprotected Caravaggio?! )
But there are some very believable parts- the book made me hungry with all of the food descriptions, and the visit to the Sistine Chapel felt very accurate; also, Amir's realization that even attractive, sophisticated, comfortable-with-their-gayness adults don't always have it all together. That those who can provide the best sun can also provide the most shade (I loved that metaphor). That his parents love him, but they're figuring it out at their pace- not his. While I found myself annoyed with his decision to cut off communication with his family, and to prioritize the drama of a hook-up over healing his family separation, I realized that this was one of the most believable parts. He's 18- he doesn't know yet who will be there for him for life and who will be there for him for the good times.
Overall, I thought this was a very touching read that felt very personal. Also, I could see little teens out there googling the queer cultural references, and I love the idea of a new generation learning about Nina Simone and Joan Crawford.
There are some pretty unbelievable parts (he just, like, has an apartment? do people really make a living from editing Wikpedia articles? someone was carrying a giant plate of saucy meatballs by an unprotected Caravaggio?! )
But there are some very believable parts- the book made me hungry with all of the food descriptions, and the visit to the Sistine Chapel felt very accurate; also, Amir's realization that even attractive, sophisticated, comfortable-with-their-gayness adults don't always have it all together. That those who can provide the best sun can also provide the most shade (I loved that metaphor). That his parents love him, but they're figuring it out at their pace- not his. While I found myself annoyed with his decision to cut off communication with his family, and to prioritize the drama of a hook-up over healing his family separation, I realized that this was one of the most believable parts. He's 18- he doesn't know yet who will be there for him for life and who will be there for him for the good times.
Overall, I thought this was a very touching read that felt very personal. Also, I could see little teens out there googling the queer cultural references, and I love the idea of a new generation learning about Nina Simone and Joan Crawford.