Scan barcode
marilynsaul's review against another edition
1.0
I started this last night, being thrilled by the Palestinian/Egyptian connection and chuckling at some of my favorite Arabic phrases. But 1/3 of the way through I realized this was going to be just yet another "coming of age" book, so my exuberance immediately waned. All "coming of age" books that I've read are ALL the same. How can they NOT be? Sadly, my tolerance for this genre of book is very low and I had to let it go. NOTE: My rating of this book has to do solely with my not caring one whit for this genre of book.
badrborne's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that, in my darkest moments, the fight for more representation in literature (especially those books that could pass as YA/are directed at young adults) seems futile to me.
Then I read a book like A Map of Home .
While it's important to note that this book is one of the first I've read with a young bi Arab-American woman at the center of it's narrative, I have to say that what really resonated with me were the geographies that Nidali inhabited at some point or another throughout the novel. It's hard - probably impossible, or maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough - to find coming-of-age novels about young girls who grew up in the Gulf, much less young lesbian/bi girls who did so. I think this is the first time I've been able to so deeply relate to a fictional character's upbringing. Nidali's relationship with her parents was also so beautifully represented, with all the nuance and sensitivity I could've ever hoped for. There are also thematic elements that pleasantly reminded me of the stuff I came across - and really enjoyed - while reading Ananya's Bless Me, Ultima . This book definitely pulled me out of a dark moment. I only wish I had found it when I was younger. It might've made all the difference in the world.
Then I read a book like A Map of Home .
While it's important to note that this book is one of the first I've read with a young bi Arab-American woman at the center of it's narrative, I have to say that what really resonated with me were the geographies that Nidali inhabited at some point or another throughout the novel. It's hard - probably impossible, or maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough - to find coming-of-age novels about young girls who grew up in the Gulf, much less young lesbian/bi girls who did so. I think this is the first time I've been able to so deeply relate to a fictional character's upbringing. Nidali's relationship with her parents was also so beautifully represented, with all the nuance and sensitivity I could've ever hoped for. There are also thematic elements that pleasantly reminded me of the stuff I came across - and really enjoyed - while reading Ananya's Bless Me, Ultima . This book definitely pulled me out of a dark moment. I only wish I had found it when I was younger. It might've made all the difference in the world.
kemyeleon's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mjgass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
4.75
This book took me on such an emotional rollercoaster, it felt like it was tugging at my heart from each possible angle. Nidali was a fantastically loveable character, and her flawed parents (particularly her father) were perhaps controversially just as loveable and wondrously complex. As someone with a Mediterranean background and who has lived in the gulf, I found the first two parts particularly evocative of the time I have spent in the Middle East, this was of course also helped by the intertextual additions of works by other Mediterranean authors and poets. However, the last part, set in the USA, was not my favourite. While I appreciated Nidali’s nuanced thoughts about her place as an immigrant in the USA, I think that the trope of someone moving to the USA facilitating ultimate liberation and coming of age can feel a bit overdone at times. It also seemed to kind of rush through much of her life once she arrived there. Maybe that was intentional, but the sudden change of pace seemed to make the whole book feel a little less intense, which I had enjoyed in the first two parts.
readerrabbit23's review against another edition
5.0
a really moving portrayal of how our parents shape us, of how formative childhoods are, of how hard it is to move and constantly have to recreate and rethink what it means to build a home.
kiramke's review against another edition
3.0
Reads like a more literary memoir, and we know how I feel about memoirs... but still clever and funny and heart-wrenching in turns, and true to the author's wonderful voice.
yelsel13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
funnyhairpin's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this for my "Girls" class (aka female youth culture).
lisagray68's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this is my favorite kind of book! I'm pretty sure there's some autobiographical details here - it's based on a Muslim girl with an Egyptian mom and a Palestinian dad, growing up in Kuwait. They flee Kuwait during the first Gulf War, hang out in Egypt awhile and finally emigrate to the U.S. You learn so much about the Muslim culture, the lands and culture of Kuwait and Egypt and the immigrant experience. This book is raw and real, very good pacing and wonderful characterizations. Write more, Randa Jarrar!! I will read all your books!!
opal28's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75