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bookgoodfeelgood's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
katezadler's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
maya_b's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was such an interesting read, and I'm so happy I stumbled upon it. I don't think I could have ever found it on purpose, because I usually don't look for non-fiction books, and even if I did, I don't think a queer anthology written by Arab writers would have ever been on my mind (even though most of my non-fiction books are by queer authors and about queer topics). Which just makes me more happy about finding it, because I really enjoyed it a lot, and I learned a lot, too.
It's a book I could have read in one sitting, because the chapters are short and interesting, and also I thought all of them were well written, but it kind of felt wrong to do that, so it took me a few days to read, because I took a break after every chapter to just sit with it for a while after, and think about it, and I quite liked that process. It worked well for me.
I can't really say anything about the contents of this book, apart from that it was about a world I knew nothing about, and I loved learning about it. I am queer myself, but I had an amazingly easy time with it (I was nervous for about half an hour when I told my parents, apart from that it took me about 20 years to learn that maybe it's strange to think every single person I know is weird for thinking about sex before questioning if maybe I'm the minority, and it also never occurred to me, that people might not be panromantic, so there's that), and I don't think I've ever read anything non-fiction by Arab authors. So I did learn a lot about the experiences of the authors of this anthology, regarding queerness as well as how they grew up. The struggles of queerness were a little more familiar, because I have read books by other queer authors about their experiences, but some of the things did feel very new, and the context was different, and I did just very much appreciate being able to learn more and that so many different stories were shared.
And I don't think I can say anything else about this book. It was very informative, I like learning new things, and it was very easy to get into and understand, especially thanks to the glossary at the end, that I used quite a few times. Great book!
It's a book I could have read in one sitting, because the chapters are short and interesting, and also I thought all of them were well written, but it kind of felt wrong to do that, so it took me a few days to read, because I took a break after every chapter to just sit with it for a while after, and think about it, and I quite liked that process. It worked well for me.
I can't really say anything about the contents of this book, apart from that it was about a world I knew nothing about, and I loved learning about it. I am queer myself, but I had an amazingly easy time with it (I was nervous for about half an hour when I told my parents, apart from that it took me about 20 years to learn that maybe it's strange to think every single person I know is weird for thinking about sex before questioning if maybe I'm the minority, and it also never occurred to me, that people might not be panromantic, so there's that), and I don't think I've ever read anything non-fiction by Arab authors. So I did learn a lot about the experiences of the authors of this anthology, regarding queerness as well as how they grew up. The struggles of queerness were a little more familiar, because I have read books by other queer authors about their experiences, but some of the things did feel very new, and the context was different, and I did just very much appreciate being able to learn more and that so many different stories were shared.
And I don't think I can say anything else about this book. It was very informative, I like learning new things, and it was very easy to get into and understand, especially thanks to the glossary at the end, that I used quite a few times. Great book!
melsage1823's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
A Fantastic Unapologetic, Empowering Short Story Collection That Perfectly Represents Both The Arab and Queer Community.
Wow, wow. This is a fantastic collection and every essay was very entertaining and fascinating to read. It was very bold and authentic as well as authentic. All the essays connected together to tell a perfect story of intersectionality and how two worlds shouldn't be forced apart. I also loved how diverse each essay was and that whilst all being intersectional they also had their own stories to tell.
It's a wonderful collection and I'm so glad that I read. I cannot recommend checking it out for yourself. Some of my favourite essays were Catching The Light: Reclaiming Opera As A Trans Arab, The Bad Son, My Intersectionality Was My Biggest Bully and Dancing Like Sherihan. I loved all the essays but those stuck out to me in particular for how bold and powerful they were. These essays are worth picking up the collection alone.
The collection is rounded to 5 stars because generally I didn't find anything wrong with the collection, it was well edited, a good length and paced very well. Some essays were a bit too spicy for me but that's just my preferences as an aro-ace reader.
There's so much I could praise but I'm gonna break down what I like about the collection. First I love how diverse it is, as normally with this sorts of collections you'll only get one type of person and all the contributors will be really similar but This Arab Is Queer makes sure to include a diverse range of queer arab experiences, from trans folk, to gay folk to even Non-Binary folk a wide range of experiences are shared which reflects how diverse the queer community is and how sanitised by whiteness it has been. I also think the diversity allows you to get something different out of each essay which is also important. It's not just the voices that are diverse the writing is as well, each essay has it's own distinct writing style that makes it enjoyable to read.
Secondly I have to praise the language used. When I say the writing it top tier, I mean it. The language is very bold with lots of clever similes, metaphors to let the sentences stick with the reader. Each contributor makes sure to include powerful language so that every essay sticks with you and leaves you reflecting and contemplating about what you just read. Language is powerful and unique and This Arab Is Queer utilises it perfectly to get its overall message across especially to non arab reader. It's brilliant to read essays that leave you reflective and contemplating oneself. All the contributors are a hundred percent pouring their best into this essays and it definitely payed off.
Finally the honesty and personality in the writing. My criteria for a good nonfiction Memoir or essay is that it perfectly captures the personality of the writer and that it's honest and authentic. This collection is really raw and honest and you can instantly feel the writers emotion as you read the piece, it's absolutely incredible. Nothing is sanitised and every essay feels raw and real which isn't an easy thing to do. The biggest challenge in writing is sharing your own experience in a bold and unique way. Every essay is full of personality, boldness and pride. It enraptures how proud each reader is to indeed be Arab and Queer.
Overall its an amazing collection full of fabulous, educational, informative and intersectional pride. It's a collection wether your Arab or Non Arab a like, I cannot recommend enough. Definitely check this out and give it some love.
My overall rating for the collection is five stars but here are my individual ratings for each essay in the collection.
Introduction: 4.5 Stars
The Decade of Saying All That I Could Not Say: 5 Stars
Return To Beirut: 4.5 Stars
This Text Is A Very Lonely Document: 5 Stars
Catching The Light: Reclaiming Opera as a Trans Arab: 5 Stars
You Made Me Your Monster: 5 Stars
My Kali- Digitising A Queer Arab Future: 5 Stars
The Artists Portrait Of A Marginalised Man: 4.5 Stars
Pilgrimage To Love: 4.5 Stars
An August, a September and My Mother 4.5 Stars
The Bad Son: 4.5 Stars
Dating White People: 5 Stars
My Intersectionality Was My Biggest Bully: 5 Stars
Trio: 4 Stars
Unheld Conversations: 5 Stars
Trophy Hunters, White Saviours and Grindr: 4.5 Stars
Dancing Like Sherihan: 5 Stars
Then Came Hope: 5 Stars
Wow, wow. This is a fantastic collection and every essay was very entertaining and fascinating to read. It was very bold and authentic as well as authentic. All the essays connected together to tell a perfect story of intersectionality and how two worlds shouldn't be forced apart. I also loved how diverse each essay was and that whilst all being intersectional they also had their own stories to tell.
It's a wonderful collection and I'm so glad that I read. I cannot recommend checking it out for yourself. Some of my favourite essays were Catching The Light: Reclaiming Opera As A Trans Arab, The Bad Son, My Intersectionality Was My Biggest Bully and Dancing Like Sherihan. I loved all the essays but those stuck out to me in particular for how bold and powerful they were. These essays are worth picking up the collection alone.
The collection is rounded to 5 stars because generally I didn't find anything wrong with the collection, it was well edited, a good length and paced very well. Some essays were a bit too spicy for me but that's just my preferences as an aro-ace reader.
There's so much I could praise but I'm gonna break down what I like about the collection. First I love how diverse it is, as normally with this sorts of collections you'll only get one type of person and all the contributors will be really similar but This Arab Is Queer makes sure to include a diverse range of queer arab experiences, from trans folk, to gay folk to even Non-Binary folk a wide range of experiences are shared which reflects how diverse the queer community is and how sanitised by whiteness it has been. I also think the diversity allows you to get something different out of each essay which is also important. It's not just the voices that are diverse the writing is as well, each essay has it's own distinct writing style that makes it enjoyable to read.
Secondly I have to praise the language used. When I say the writing it top tier, I mean it. The language is very bold with lots of clever similes, metaphors to let the sentences stick with the reader. Each contributor makes sure to include powerful language so that every essay sticks with you and leaves you reflecting and contemplating about what you just read. Language is powerful and unique and This Arab Is Queer utilises it perfectly to get its overall message across especially to non arab reader. It's brilliant to read essays that leave you reflective and contemplating oneself. All the contributors are a hundred percent pouring their best into this essays and it definitely payed off.
Finally the honesty and personality in the writing. My criteria for a good nonfiction Memoir or essay is that it perfectly captures the personality of the writer and that it's honest and authentic. This collection is really raw and honest and you can instantly feel the writers emotion as you read the piece, it's absolutely incredible. Nothing is sanitised and every essay feels raw and real which isn't an easy thing to do. The biggest challenge in writing is sharing your own experience in a bold and unique way. Every essay is full of personality, boldness and pride. It enraptures how proud each reader is to indeed be Arab and Queer.
Overall its an amazing collection full of fabulous, educational, informative and intersectional pride. It's a collection wether your Arab or Non Arab a like, I cannot recommend enough. Definitely check this out and give it some love.
My overall rating for the collection is five stars but here are my individual ratings for each essay in the collection.
Introduction: 4.5 Stars
The Decade of Saying All That I Could Not Say: 5 Stars
Return To Beirut: 4.5 Stars
This Text Is A Very Lonely Document: 5 Stars
Catching The Light: Reclaiming Opera as a Trans Arab: 5 Stars
You Made Me Your Monster: 5 Stars
My Kali- Digitising A Queer Arab Future: 5 Stars
The Artists Portrait Of A Marginalised Man: 4.5 Stars
Pilgrimage To Love: 4.5 Stars
An August, a September and My Mother 4.5 Stars
The Bad Son: 4.5 Stars
Dating White People: 5 Stars
My Intersectionality Was My Biggest Bully: 5 Stars
Trio: 4 Stars
Unheld Conversations: 5 Stars
Trophy Hunters, White Saviours and Grindr: 4.5 Stars
Dancing Like Sherihan: 5 Stars
Then Came Hope: 5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Bullying, Transphobia, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and War
memydogandbooks's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Brilliant collection of stories from wonderfully open and honest LGBTQ+ Arab writers from around the world. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime and Homophobia
bookishfaye's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This felt so deeply resilient and the community & shared/similar and yet vastly different stories and experiences amongst these pages made me pretty emotional.
battramsysni's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5