Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir

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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lizard800's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.5

Great read with an excellent narrator. Would absolutely recommend.

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kawaii_rose's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I loved this book, it was great to find someone who also felt the same way about Islam when they found out they were queer.

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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

2.75

we have always been here is a memoir focused on the intersection of habib's queerness and muslim identities. while it's good to see habib's gradual growth and self-discovery thruout the yrs - thru the different ppl, places and experiences she encounters - imo the book isnt as compelling as it could be. there are moments of brilliance here and there, but for such an interesting and rarely exploted subject matter of the life of a queer muslim woman, i expected it to be a bit better.

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lifewithjoce's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

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danielle_sips_tea's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

I don't give star ratings to nonfiction usually.

This was such an interesting and important memoir and I am really glad that I picked it up. While it jumped back and forth between things a bit much for my liking, I am grateful to have read Samra Habib's story and had some insight into the queer Muslim community within Canada.

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