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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.
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.
Graphic: Medical content, Child abuse, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, and Vomit
Moderate: Islamophobia, War, Bullying, Xenophobia, Racism, Sexism, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
alainajreads's review against another edition
Perhaps I should’ve heeded the trigger warnings and read the reviews before jumping into this, but I was expecting something totally different based on the synopsis. Rather than a travelogue, the writing was a bit disjointed and dealt with themes that, while important to discuss, were more traumatic than I was expecting. I enjoyed the first few chapters and Jarrar had some interesting insights about being Arab in America and I wished there were more about her cross-country road trip. Not bad, just not for me and not what I was expecting.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Islamophobia, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Medical trauma
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