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Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
16 reviews
sar_she_her's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Premise of Unique Perspective, A Vignette that improved with insights as both book and protagonist progressed
It's hard to pinpoint what did vs didn't resonate about this author's writing. Especially while tempering what may be my outside preconceived notions based on societal generalizations.
Especially for nonfiction writing or memoirs, what usually resonates is a candid glimpse into an individual's unique perspective, experiences, and visceral emotions. Or conversely especially when shedding light on often under-represented, marginalized, or misunderstood people/culture I appreciate their zoomed out commentary based on personal experience and intimately knowing the culture, adversity, or addressing misconceptions.
This author's writing landed somewhere between the two, drawing portraits of childhood and home life that felt real and relatable, but not necessarily going into more personal thoughts/feelings on adversity nor societal misconceptions.
The book- as did her understanding of her own identity, the imperfect humanity of people in her life, and through gaining self-empowerment- improved as the book progressed, with me really enjoying the arcs of her relationships with self and family members through the last half to third of the book.
It may've been the decision of the writer through numerous drafts, and/or editors, but while i SO appreciate the author sharing her personal story AND shedding light on an often under-represented intersectionality of marginalization and almost unfathomable adversity, I wish she could've delved into some of these turning points, even if sacrificing some of the vignettes.
Covering a span of decades, including so much evolution, in a relatively short book is quite a challenge to undertake. I applaud her creating dialogue and advocating for safe spaces amidst the intersectionality of communities. I hope she continues to voice her unique insights, loud and proud, as an example and trailblazer for others.
It's hard to pinpoint what did vs didn't resonate about this author's writing. Especially while tempering what may be my outside preconceived notions based on societal generalizations.
Especially for nonfiction writing or memoirs, what usually resonates is a candid glimpse into an individual's unique perspective, experiences, and visceral emotions. Or conversely especially when shedding light on often under-represented, marginalized, or misunderstood people/culture I appreciate their zoomed out commentary based on personal experience and intimately knowing the culture, adversity, or addressing misconceptions.
This author's writing landed somewhere between the two, drawing portraits of childhood and home life that felt real and relatable, but not necessarily going into more personal thoughts/feelings on adversity nor societal misconceptions.
The book- as did her understanding of her own identity, the imperfect humanity of people in her life, and through gaining self-empowerment- improved as the book progressed, with me really enjoying the arcs of her relationships with self and family members through the last half to third of the book.
It may've been the decision of the writer through numerous drafts, and/or editors, but while i SO appreciate the author sharing her personal story AND shedding light on an often under-represented intersectionality of marginalization and almost unfathomable adversity, I wish she could've delved into some of these turning points, even if sacrificing some of the vignettes.
Covering a span of decades, including so much evolution, in a relatively short book is quite a challenge to undertake. I applaud her creating dialogue and advocating for safe spaces amidst the intersectionality of communities. I hope she continues to voice her unique insights, loud and proud, as an example and trailblazer for others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Violence
lizard800's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Great read with an excellent narrator. Would absolutely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Violence
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual assault and Stalking
fox's review
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.
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
mmefish's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Flew through it in a day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Incest, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Murder, Racism, Violence, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racial slurs
pipn_t's review against another edition
This has been good so far but honestly but it had a lot of things I find triggering in it, and I’m just not feeling up to finishing it right now. No problem with the book so far, just a me thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
Moderate: Bullying
I don’t know what discriptor in the menu to pick for child marriage this is an additional content warning for this bookwilliamgideon's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
A striking memoir from a voice that needs to be heard. I especially love that Samra Habib doesn't limit this book to her own story, but weaves in the perspectives of people she's met along the way. As a non-muslim, I also found this book gave a great insight into the struggles queer muslims face. Often touching, at times difficult to read, but mostly a wonderful exploration of indentity and the healing of trauma.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
olijordan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is the first non fiction book I finished and I don’t think I could have started with a better one. Every person should read this book at least once in their lifetime. Habib’s story is nothing short of exceptional and astounding.
I’ve learned so much from her story and reading the way she’s grown into who she is today, it was a lot of emotions all at once and that was what made it feel special. Like I was reading her life as it happened with all its complicated emotions. There was no romanticising her trauma, life or experience and she was nothing but brutally honest.
I would describe myself secular (at best) so my opinion on her journey with Islam is completely unnecessary. However, it was an absolute privilege to read how beautiful her relationship with her religion became and how it evolved. I’ve never read such a stunning encounter of a person’s religious journey and the love that they found within it. It offered me a window into a world I could only dare dream to know and that is enough for me.
I highly recommend this book.
I’ve learned so much from her story and reading the way she’s grown into who she is today, it was a lot of emotions all at once and that was what made it feel special. Like I was reading her life as it happened with all its complicated emotions. There was no romanticising her trauma, life or experience and she was nothing but brutally honest.
I would describe myself secular (at best) so my opinion on her journey with Islam is completely unnecessary. However, it was an absolute privilege to read how beautiful her relationship with her religion became and how it evolved. I’ve never read such a stunning encounter of a person’s religious journey and the love that they found within it. It offered me a window into a world I could only dare dream to know and that is enough for me.
I highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
notnicolebrewer's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
This was a beautiful book, into which my heart curled comfortably and in which I found tenderness and familiarity, although I am only queer, not Muslim, not an immigrant, not a person of colour. I think that is part of the magic of Samra Habib's writing, is that she makes her memoir feel deeply relatable, even if the reader cannot, in fact, relate. Because of this, the scope and breadth of information she shares with us is easily internalized; it feels impossible to read this book without learning something, without ending up a slightly more compassionate person than you started. I am so grateful to Habib for her story, for her writing, for her sharing, and I plan to recommend this to everyone as a first step in understanding intersectionality.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Islamophobia, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
kelly_e's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Title: We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
Author: Samra Habib
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: June 4, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Fierce • Redemptive• Insightful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
We Have Always Been Here details Samra's own personal experiences growing up in Pakistan where she faced regular threats from extremists; immigrating to Canada only to be faced with bullying, racism, poverty and an arranged marriage; and finding herself. An exploration of the intersections of sexuality, religion, and race.
💭 T H O U G H T S
In an effort to read more Canadian content, exploring Canada Reads picks from years past seemed like a good starting point, and I was not disappointed with the Canada Reads 2020 winner We Have Always Been Here. Samra's memoir is beautifully written, oftentimes down right raw and deeply personal, and yet also inviting. It reads somewhat like a diary, offering a sense of connection (despite quite different upbringings and circumstances), which is what I love most in a memoir. Exploring themes and intersectionalities of identity and the need for safe spaces for self-exploration and the power of chosen family this memoir is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
I will say the first two thirds are considerably stronger than the remaining third, and yet her talent is evident.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• memoir lovers
• readers who enjoyed The Death of Vivek Oji
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Maybe home was simply any place where you felt seen and welcome."
Author: Samra Habib
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: June 4, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Fierce • Redemptive• Insightful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
We Have Always Been Here details Samra's own personal experiences growing up in Pakistan where she faced regular threats from extremists; immigrating to Canada only to be faced with bullying, racism, poverty and an arranged marriage; and finding herself. An exploration of the intersections of sexuality, religion, and race.
💭 T H O U G H T S
In an effort to read more Canadian content, exploring Canada Reads picks from years past seemed like a good starting point, and I was not disappointed with the Canada Reads 2020 winner We Have Always Been Here. Samra's memoir is beautifully written, oftentimes down right raw and deeply personal, and yet also inviting. It reads somewhat like a diary, offering a sense of connection (despite quite different upbringings and circumstances), which is what I love most in a memoir. Exploring themes and intersectionalities of identity and the need for safe spaces for self-exploration and the power of chosen family this memoir is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
I will say the first two thirds are considerably stronger than the remaining third, and yet her talent is evident.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• memoir lovers
• readers who enjoyed The Death of Vivek Oji
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Maybe home was simply any place where you felt seen and welcome."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Incest, and Pedophilia