836 reviews for:

Home Is Not a Country

Safia Elhillo

4.25 AVERAGE

katiegrrrl's review against another edition

5.0

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A beautiful coming of age story told in verse. Nima thinks she should have been someone else, someone more out going, more beautiful. She learns a little more about her mother’s past, her immigration to America and starts to see her present a with different eyes. The authors use of magical realism gives depth to the story and helps Nima take off the rose colored glasses.

YMA 2022 Coretta Scott King Author Book Award honor

darleneivy's review against another edition

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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a fascinating depiction of the duality of self versus the person you wish you were

a portrait of the internal and external conflict of being a recent immigrant

jeannineelmasri's review against another edition

5.0

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cried, cried, and then cried some more. Absolute favorite quote from this book is “& I don’t realize I’ve mixed up the words & the word for home i’d been using this whole time was homeland”

mamasbook_ish's review against another edition

3.5

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ellisgeorge's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

aramaswami's review against another edition

4.5

fast-paced

haneen_tamer's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful 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

raethereviewer's review against another edition

5.0

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I’m beating myself up for taking so many YEARS to read this. It’s been on my shelf collecting dust since it was released only for me to eat it up in two days when I finally crack it open. I absolutely loved the way Nima’s story represents so much of the diaspora experience. There’s an element of magical realism that I wasn’t expecting but was integrated into the novel so well. Safia Elhillo is an amazing poet and an amazing storyteller.

spicedrootie's review against another edition

3.0

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

momuhney's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Written like you’re reading her diary. Very beautifully written. Towards the end was the best part but did get a little preachy and repetitive.