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thirzaisreading's review
challenging
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
arrianne's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
wiitchycats's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
a devastating read that explores the complexity of being queer in the middle east. it leaves the country unlabeled so you could insert any middle eastern country at various points in time and parts of it would ring true.
it’s beautifully written and i think it’ll be stuck in my head for awhile. it is already begging me for a reread so i can glean even more from it.
it’s beautifully written and i think it’ll be stuck in my head for awhile. it is already begging me for a reread so i can glean even more from it.
maimer's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
malihalma's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
deeaego's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The premise and setting was very promising. Execution though, not so great. Some language and phrasing choices made this read like a YA novel, which isn’t bad per se, but just seemed displaced being that the character is much older than his teens. While the middle of the book was entertaining, I don’t think the delve into the past was necessarily needed.
nocturnereads's review against another edition
Didn't catch my attention, no drive to continue
kcclaveria's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
citrus_seasalt's review
3.5
Conflicted as to give it a 3.5 or a 4.0 star rating. Good, although it was a slower book than I expected. It had solid moments of introspection and emotion, but unfortunately, some of the main character’s revelations or dwellings could become repetitive after a few chapters.
I liked how Rasa’s idealization to later disillusionment of the United States was written in the second act, and how American racism was shown from an immigrant/Non-American perspective. But I was put-off by the entire second act being flashbacks. I think it messed with the pacing, even if it was important to Rasa’s character.
I was also constantly disconnected from Rasa’s voice throughout the course of the novel, due to the intentionally vague setting. While I’ve looked at the author’s words in interviews, and I know his reason for doing so (not wanting to be “an anthropomorphic study of one country”, and keeping the story almost metaphorical in nature) coupled with his multicultural background likely having an influence, but I couldn’t get too invested in the world and Rasa as a result. But that weren’t the case, I’m sure that the eloquent and descriptive writing would have immersed me more easily.
(And Maj was definitely the character I connected to most! Not just because I like to see drag artists in literature, I promise! But because he also felt like one of the more fleshed-out side characters, and I respected his resilience.)
That said though, I could still feel for Rasa, even if it wasn’t on as deep of a level as I’d hoped I’d be able to. I liked his examination of the complicated relationship with his Teta(and how she had to do with his last experiences—and present-day opinions—of his parents), the vibrant gay community of Guapa, and how the idea of “eib” dictated his life and internalized shame. (He’s an interpreter, so he gets more specific about the social and literal language behind “eib”, which I found interesting!)
I’m still very thankful a book like this exists! Non-Western narratives like Rasa’s—growing up gay in a Muslim country—aren’t very common in the literary world, but one that many queer people can relate to.
I liked how Rasa’s idealization to later disillusionment of the United States was written in the second act, and how American racism was shown from an immigrant/Non-American perspective. But I was put-off by the entire second act being flashbacks. I think it messed with the pacing, even if it was important to Rasa’s character.
I was also constantly disconnected from Rasa’s voice throughout the course of the novel, due to the intentionally vague setting. While I’ve looked at the author’s words in interviews, and I know his reason for doing so (not wanting to be “an anthropomorphic study of one country”, and keeping the story almost metaphorical in nature) coupled with his multicultural background likely having an influence, but I couldn’t get too invested in the world and Rasa as a result. But that weren’t the case, I’m sure that the eloquent and descriptive writing would have immersed me more easily.
(And Maj was definitely the character I connected to most! Not just because I like to see drag artists in literature, I promise! But because he also felt like one of the more fleshed-out side characters, and I respected his resilience.)
That said though, I could still feel for Rasa, even if it wasn’t on as deep of a level as I’d hoped I’d be able to. I liked his examination of the complicated relationship with his Teta(and how she had to do with his last experiences—and present-day opinions—of his parents), the vibrant gay community of Guapa, and how the idea of “eib” dictated his life and internalized shame. (He’s an interpreter, so he gets more specific about the social and literal language behind “eib”, which I found interesting!)
I’m still very thankful a book like this exists! Non-Western narratives like Rasa’s—growing up gay in a Muslim country—aren’t very common in the literary world, but one that many queer people can relate to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Racial slurs
shaunhutch's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.5