Reviews

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

dowleyrachel's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I appreciate this queer memoir as one that is about asking questions and coming into ones self and that that doesn't have to be synonymous with being publicly out. The book did not climax at her coming out to her family. It peaked at her being vulnerable, acknowledging the love of her chosen family, and knowing where she wants to fight for a better world. This book echoes the way I want to read scripture, with curiosity that makes me want to keep going. I found the chapters on Asiyah, Yusuf, Hajar, and Yunus the most powerful. This is one of those books I borrowed from the library but now just want to purchase so I have on hand.

emcp's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

spence_21's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

ehaigh's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

4.25

sashamrti's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

cbradley's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

nerdyfeminist's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

hhboyer's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

han_reardonsmith's review

5.0

Extraordinary text by a modern-day prophet, that both deepened my knowledge and appreciation of, and shared stories and affinities with Islam (as a raised-Catholic outsider, with a sister that converted to Islam in adulthood). It consolidated, too, my faith in queer family and community, especially that which is open enough to see beyond the bounds of whiteness and (neo)liberal secularism. Lamya H generously shares her understandings and thinkings-in-company-with this ancient text of guidance, the Quran, as well as her doubts and fears and vulnerabilities. Here’s to following her example, to building our little windows of utopia inside the whale, giving space and warmth and deep kindness to others and ourselves, and to retaining love for this deeply challenging and very often distressing but beautiful world.

_louw's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

4.0

I overall really liked this memoir and suspect that I will re-read it however I desperately want to talk someone about this book at a level above 'omg she's queer, and Muslim, how novel? Cool'. 

As someone who is devout but not particularly orthodox, I actually did find the beginning parts of this book quite difficult to read because of the comparisons between Prophetic stories and her personal journey (particularly the first chapter!). 

I think the reflections became more meaningful in the later chapters, and I really loved the reflections on coming out/letting people in, being a quiet Queer Muslim and dealing with social interactions as a partially closeted Queer Muslim who is also masc.