Reviews tagging 'War'

Love Is an Ex-Country by Randa Jarrar

3 reviews

bookishmillennial's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad fast-paced

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

I also just especially do not like to rate memoirs, as I am a fervent believer in everyone being able to share their stories. I listened to the audiobook (thank you Libby!) and it was about ~5 hours, so it kept me company on my 5 hour flight hehe.

Randa Jarrar's narration in the audiobook was phenomenal - she was dry, cutting, and vulgar without abandon. Randa is a fat, queer, Arab American who refuses to apologize for who she is, and I applaud her. This book covered stories ranging from her childhood to now, covering the abuse she endured, not only by her family, but by romantic and sexual partners. She also describes the rampant fatphobia, xenophobia, racism, and doxxing she experienced by being so outspoken and uncensored in her thoughts on American politics especially. It all rang so familiar to me, not because I share identities with RJ (I'm not Arab, not Muslim, not fat), but mostly because it certainly seems as if most folks are perpetually trying to knock femmes down a peg, to "remember their place" so to speak.

I appreciate that Randa Jarrar spoke so boldly and honestly about her life, and am grateful to have read through her reflections. Some were incredibly graphic and uncomfortable, but I hope she found some solace and peace in sharing this all with the world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Child abuse, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, and Vomit

Moderate: Islamophobia, War, Bullying, Xenophobia, Racism, Sexism, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse

amberinpieces's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Body shaming, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Violence, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Abortion, Emotional abuse, Blood, Car accident, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Deportation, Infidelity, War, Mass/school shootings, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, Sexual assault, Excrement, Genocide, and Cancer

speedofhuman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Pregnancy, Fatphobia, Bullying, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Sexism, Islamophobia, Sexual violence, and Racism

Minor: War, Pedophilia, and Police brutality