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evamadera1's review against another edition
Even though I have decided to not rate memoirs anymore, that should not keep anyone from reading this book. I appreciated this book and the experience of reading it, so much. El Sayed told the story of her life in a poignant lyrical narrative. I learned so much about someone so different than me whose story matters. While the narrative has some minor wrinkles that perplexed me, I left my reading experience challenged and appreciative.
erinrebecca922's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
A great coming-of-age memoir about a girl who is stuck between tradition and the future.
carleesi's review against another edition
4.0
Sara’s writing is amazing. I felt so much of what she shared. Sometimes like a punch in the gut, other times as a faint memory trying to make its way to the forefront of my mind.
archytas's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
El Sayed plays on the sense of muddy here as unclear, liminal as well as using to refute and recount experiences of Australian racism. Structured around a set of family 'rules' that related to anecdotes about growing up in between cultures and places, the book is frequently funny and frequently intentionally uncomfortable. A big strength of the book is the portrayal of El Sayed's parents, whose characterisation often comes as much through El Sayed's responses as their actions, but who feel infuriatingly and lovably human while never slipping into exaggerated, as is a bit common in memoir. Her mother's reticence, focus, impatience and quiet determined ambition contrast with a faithful, spontaneous and loving father whose confidence that his daughter will meet his high expectations can be intimidating. You can see not only that divorce is on the cards, but also that negotiating that divorce will be something more done in the unsaid than the said, from these two different people.
This was highly anticipated for me, as I thought El Sayed's piece in Growing Up African in Australia, was a stand out. I wasn't all the tonal shifts entirely worked for me, but I will be following where El Sayed goes next.
This was highly anticipated for me, as I thought El Sayed's piece in Growing Up African in Australia, was a stand out. I wasn't all the tonal shifts entirely worked for me, but I will be following where El Sayed goes next.
solenophage's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Muddy People is a well-written, emotional glimpse into the struggles of growing up as in immigrant Egyptian-Australian child addressing body image issues, racism and islamophobia, and cultural differences as well as more personal family conflicts, trying to live up to the expectations and needs of parents whose own relationship is strained and falling apart. The writing style was straightforward, yet evocative, with short chapters contrasting the author's childhood and her adulthood caring for her father through cancer treatments. The complexities of the author's experiences and emotions were conveyed in a poignant and concise way. If I had one critique it would be only that at times it felt cut short or a little choppy. All and all a quick and enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, Sexism, Body shaming, and Islamophobia
Minor: Vomit, Death, Self harm, Abortion, Car accident, Medical content, and Hate crime