Reviews tagging 'Violence'

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

14 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.  

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Violence

evelynashworth's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Islamophobia, and Racism

Minor: Child abuse, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

siriface's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Transphobia

Moderate: Sexual assault

emmaandstuff's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Wonderfully written 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Violence

Minor: Transphobia

hngisreading's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Violence

mmefish's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Flew through it in a day.

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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

casspom's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Minor: Sexual assault and Violence

solenodon's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual content and Violence

Arranged marriage, religious trauma

camillatd's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I wasn't expecting to find Habib's memoir relatable, since our lives have had little in common, but the way they distill the queer experience so beautifully resonated with me deeply. Some of their passages on parent relationships, coming out, the inner child, and, most of all, chosen family overwhelmed me with emotion. This is a gorgeous, poignant memoir, written in accessible, sharp prose, at once entirely singular and, at its heart, universally queer. Already one of my favorites of this year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Violence