Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib

84 reviews

canneddietcoke's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib was an incredible read. I was captivated by the beauty of Habib's descriptions, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in their world. Their writing made me feel like I could taste the candies and spices, smell the air and perfumes, and sit in the hair salon and walk the streets of the places they called home throughout their journey. The sensory detail was so rich that it felt as though I was experiencing their story right beside them.

That said, there’s also a deep awareness that, as much as I connected with the story on an emotional level through being apart of the queer community and taking that lifetime journey of what those thoughts, feelings, and experiences meant, I will never be able to fully grasp the fear, power, and resilience that come with being a queer Muslim. The book provided a window into an experience that is vastly different from my own- one marked by a unique intersection of identities that carry their own sets of challenges and joys. It was both a privilege and a reminder of the complexities of queer existence across different cultures. This memoir not only offered a touching and intimate look at Samra’s life but also expanded my understanding and appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of queer Muslims everywhere.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia

Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide attempt

carrotstikz21's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

just incredible. one of those books where you finish with a sense of immense gratitude that you were able to read it at all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Suicide attempt

joensign's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

eihdlidhd's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia

atuin's review against another edition

informative reflective

5.0

A Poignant life story about how the writer, Samra Habib, managed to merge her queer identity with her Muslim faith and help others do the same. The book does not shy away from the flaws of her parents, yet it understands why they acted the way they did without passing judgment or excusing their behavior. The writing was engaging so that I breezed through the book much faster than usual. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Islamophobia

atreegrowsinbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.0

This was an insightful memoir, about finding your own queerness. I appreciated the overall structure of the book, where overall we follow Samra as she grows up, but there were a few times when the timing or pacing of the chapter or contents within pulled me out of the story and then caused me to be confused about when in Samra’s life were learning about. 

I appreciated Samra’s words and will be looking for her photography and photo project mentioned in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Islamophobia

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

bookwormdystopian2's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Islamophobia

ewitsmich's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Raw and honest. I love the perspective of queer Muslim women, so often ignored by western media. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry

that_glitter_chick_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

This book is a beautiful memoir that stirs emotions in a way I can't put words to. Challenging at times, it really shows the resilience of humans. I loved it and would reccomend it to anyone looking to expand their bookshelf! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, and Abandonment

kenziesnodgrass's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Islamophobia