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shadowrocks8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Fantastic memoir, incredibly emotional and ultimately uplifting
ruthlemon08's review against another edition
5.0
Simply beautiful. Mohsin’s story of how he came to accept his true self and then his family’s journey to do the same is one of the best things I’ve ever read. Such an important and powerful voice.
pjcorb94's review against another edition
5.0
Well written and relatable in many different ways, despite being such a unique story. Brought me to tears at multiple different points, both sad and happy. By far my favourite read of 2023 so far!
davidgilani's review against another edition
4.0
Zaidi's 'A Dutiful Boy' covers his unique experience of growing up as a gay, Pakistani Muslim boy in Britain. His challenges at school... his journey to Oxford... his career... his acceptance of his sexuality... his struggles with his family to accept his sexuality too. I found the last few chapters particularly moving.
I personally related to a lot in this book... I suppose with the exception of the Muslim / religious aspects. In particular, it was the pressure that he put on himself to be 'successful' at school - because of some need to please his family and teachers. It was heartening to see him find 'his crowd' at uni - a group that allowed and encouraged him to be himself. His inability to identify both as gay and Muslim at the same time - forcing him to leave his religion behind. Loads of interesting parts of this book now I'm reflecting on it.
I personally related to a lot in this book... I suppose with the exception of the Muslim / religious aspects. In particular, it was the pressure that he put on himself to be 'successful' at school - because of some need to please his family and teachers. It was heartening to see him find 'his crowd' at uni - a group that allowed and encouraged him to be himself. His inability to identify both as gay and Muslim at the same time - forcing him to leave his religion behind. Loads of interesting parts of this book now I'm reflecting on it.
fanniberger's review against another edition
4.0
lived up to the hype and I'm happy I got to know Mohsin through a conference. His stories are definitely worth sharing, and the way he never forgets to mention class when talking about minorities is really inspiring.
_askthebookbug's review against another edition
5.0
// A Dutiful Boy by @mohsinzaidi_ldn
Mohsin's memoir reflects his personality. It's bittersweet in parts but ends on a hopeful note. This sweet boy living in London with his religious parents and two younger brothers explores his sexuality and wades through turbulent waters. When it comes to homosexuality, people often condemn it by hiding behind their faith or religion. They say that certain holy books condemn homosexuality and so anyone supporting it or even coming out as an LGTBQ person is shunned immediately. Mohsin was taught that Islam doesn't support gays or lesbians. That such people belong in hell. But when he understands his sexuality, he is caught up in severe mental trauma about coming to terms with it for the fear of not being accepted by those around him. A Dutiful Boy is an incredible memoir that spans Mohsin's journey as a young boy to an adult, recording his ups and downs. This book even surprised me so often especially when it came down to people's ability to change. Don't wait for next year's #pridemonth to read this :)
Mohsin Zaidi is from a Pakistani family, settled in East London. As he walks us through his personal as well as professional journey, it becomes abundantly clear that he is a compassionate person. There's a lot of pain that he was made to carry for quite some years only to realise that there were allies wherever he went. This memoir is nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, making me both smile as well as tear up in so many places. This sweet child who prayed to God to cure him of his gayness, this kid who tried to have a girlfriend to will away his liking for guys and this man who later received unconditional support from his loved ones; this person has my heart. Mohsin's story could be anyone's so keep your heart open and listen to those who are trying to speak to you in ways that they can. Because no one and I mean, absolutely no one has the right to tell you to be something other than who you really are.
I highly recommend this.
Mohsin's memoir reflects his personality. It's bittersweet in parts but ends on a hopeful note. This sweet boy living in London with his religious parents and two younger brothers explores his sexuality and wades through turbulent waters. When it comes to homosexuality, people often condemn it by hiding behind their faith or religion. They say that certain holy books condemn homosexuality and so anyone supporting it or even coming out as an LGTBQ person is shunned immediately. Mohsin was taught that Islam doesn't support gays or lesbians. That such people belong in hell. But when he understands his sexuality, he is caught up in severe mental trauma about coming to terms with it for the fear of not being accepted by those around him. A Dutiful Boy is an incredible memoir that spans Mohsin's journey as a young boy to an adult, recording his ups and downs. This book even surprised me so often especially when it came down to people's ability to change. Don't wait for next year's #pridemonth to read this :)
Mohsin Zaidi is from a Pakistani family, settled in East London. As he walks us through his personal as well as professional journey, it becomes abundantly clear that he is a compassionate person. There's a lot of pain that he was made to carry for quite some years only to realise that there were allies wherever he went. This memoir is nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, making me both smile as well as tear up in so many places. This sweet child who prayed to God to cure him of his gayness, this kid who tried to have a girlfriend to will away his liking for guys and this man who later received unconditional support from his loved ones; this person has my heart. Mohsin's story could be anyone's so keep your heart open and listen to those who are trying to speak to you in ways that they can. Because no one and I mean, absolutely no one has the right to tell you to be something other than who you really are.
I highly recommend this.
saf_reads_b00k5's review against another edition
Narration on the audio book is so awkward it was off-putting.
ciarareads96's review against another edition
4.0
Couldn't put this down, what a fantastic insight into the life of a queer Muslim man.
atyab's review against another edition
5.0
fokin el.
I genuinely do not know what to say except wow.
such an important important important book. the number of books in this particular genre is lacking and its so so fucking nice to just read something and feel seen. I underlined so many parts that are so relatable and so funny and so sad because they're true.
I welled up at so many parts and mostly tears of sadness but the 'rainbow laces' got tears of joy out of me.
it's all a work in progress, his family and his life. and it was really really nice to see this and to read this - i ate it tf up in two days. its exciting and it gives me hope and it's very touching.
a must must read
I genuinely do not know what to say except wow.
such an important important important book. the number of books in this particular genre is lacking and its so so fucking nice to just read something and feel seen. I underlined so many parts that are so relatable and so funny and so sad because they're true.
I welled up at so many parts and mostly tears of sadness but the 'rainbow laces' got tears of joy out of me.
it's all a work in progress, his family and his life. and it was really really nice to see this and to read this - i ate it tf up in two days. its exciting and it gives me hope and it's very touching.
a must must read