Reviews tagging 'Rape'

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

12 reviews

julian7's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Bullying, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Suicide

Minor: Xenophobia

maryamthehobbit's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.75

I cannot explain in words how important this book was for me to read. Thank you to the author for writing this story. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia

livia_jewel's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Rape

nialiversuch's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Islamophobia

Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape

williamgideon'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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Xenophobia

autumnnovels's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Islamophobia, Racism, and Rape

divaninoor's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Islamophobia

mitzybitzyspider's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

Minor: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Rape

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." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Incest, and Pedophilia

emcatbee's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Suicide attempt