Reviews tagging 'Islamophobia'

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

97 reviews

tiredenglishteacher's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

beautiful, moving, reflective memoir that explores the complexities and beauties that appear in the intersections of identity. celebration of finding one’s own place, people and voice. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia and Islamophobia

Minor: Child abuse

salemander's review against another edition

5.0

beautiful hopeful and inspiring. loved this book!

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Content Warnings

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

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

2.75

we have always been here is a memoir focused on the intersection of habib's queerness and muslim identities. while it's good to see habib's gradual growth and self-discovery thruout the yrs - thru the different ppl, places and experiences she encounters - imo the book isnt as compelling as it could be. there are moments of brilliance here and there, but for such an interesting and rarely exploted subject matter of the life of a queer muslim woman, i expected it to be a bit better.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Lesbophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Transphobia

Minor: Racial slurs

lifewithjoce's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Child abuse, Islamophobia, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

zee's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

Habib's story is highly moving and so captivating, especially surrounding her experience as an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan before the move to Canada. Following that, her resilient journey to escape the rigid expectations of her parents and discover her true self is amazing.

However, as the book goes on, it starts to gloss over what would seem to be important events to her personal discovery. As deep and moving as the first half of the book is, once Habib leaves high school the rest of the story skims very quickly and it seems to be a very surface level look at her story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia and Sexism

Moderate: Racial slurs and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Sexual assault and Child abuse

nat_montego's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs

danielle_sips_tea's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

readinghavoc's review against another edition

4.25

I really really enjoyed reading this. Like a good memoir usually does, this felt both enlightening and highly relatable. I'm really glad to have gotten to read something on the relationship between religion and queerness that was both really similar and so different from my own experiences and questions. Habib's voice was strong and impressive — reading this felt like listening to and learning from a kind friend with more life experience to share. I think this would be a good read for anyone trying to unpack the relationship between their faith and identity, anyone who is trying to build a healthy relationship with a complicated parent, or anyone who wants to think some more about intersectionality and activism. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pedophilia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Sexual assault and Stalking

196books's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia and Homophobia

Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse

fox's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

a moving, thought-provoking, and wholly important memoir. i was particularly affected by samra's descriptions of her complex relationship with her faith not simply as a religion but a facet of her roots, culture and self. worth checking out the "content warnings" if you need them before reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, Islamophobia, and Bullying

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts