Reviews

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

nicktelesco's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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

4.5

martinento's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

dennasus's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Another story, which didn't fulfil the high hopes I had set in it, I'm afraid. To me the plot felt too far fetched, the characters and their motivations too vague and the writing felt bland. I'm sorry I don't have anything more positive to say about this. (29 September 2024)

[I've stopped rating books in May 2024]

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

pothosos's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-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

4.5

spines_with_steph's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

moony_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

Only This Beautiful Moment is an emotionally impactful queer YA story about 3 generations of men in an Iranian family. In 2019, openly gay Moud is traveling to Iran for the first time and is concerned about hiding his sexuality for his own safety and what his family will think of him. In 1978, Moud’s father Saeed is dealing with a potential romance with a mystery girl and protesting in the streets of Tehran. And in 1939, Moud's grandfather Bobby is dealing with hiding his sexuality and having a stage mother who wants him to become a Hollywood star.
The story switches between being set in these 3 different time periods and POVs and when you start lacing the pieces together, it makes the story even more masterful.
Each chapter is touching, gripping and beautifully written, with no character falling behind. The individual stories are compelling on their own, but intertwined, they are a masterpiece.
The book also shows the importance of queer history, queer lives, and community even when it's frowned upon, and the way Nazemian writes intergenerational trauma is unlike anything I’ve ever read. His writing flows beautifully and he captures poignant family and community dynamics so so well. It’s filled with difficult topics, but is written in a gentle enough way that it allows younger readers to learn about the lives before them.

Absolutely brilliant.

jai_meow's review against another edition

3.0

Today is my favourite day because it holds every preceding day within it, and also because today is the day I finished this book. I cannot put into words how this book has impacted me, but I can surely say my heart hurts in a warm way and my way of thinking has forever been altered. I really encourage everyone to read this book. You surely won’t take a thing for granted after, every moment beautiful or not is significant in life.

thelittlelibraian's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

amy_louise's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Violence