Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Hijab Butch Blues

Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

65 reviews

wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

I really enjoyed this. I want to be completely forthright and say that if you are the sort of reader who is put off by discussion of organized religion, reflection on religious texts, or recounting of any religious stories, this memoir is not going to be your cup of tea.

Hijab Butch Blues examines a bevy of intersections: immigrant, South Asian, Muslim, queer, feminist, and gender nonconformity, to name just a few. It was absolutely fascinating to read the parallels between the stories of the Quran, their teachings, interpretations, and moral questions, and see those interwoven with anecdotes of the author's own life. The memoir is a reflection on what it has meant to live as a queer, gender non-conforming, and in their own description a "visible Muslim" (ie. hijab wearing) immigrant both within and outside of the United States. They enumerate the specific challenges in navigating relationships with the queer community, being made to feel "not gay enough," being critiqued for adhering to an organized religion. They discuss their struggles to come out, how their coming out is received, how it can change or sever relationships. They relate with openness and vulnerability their racist experiences within the United States (New York in particular) as a brown skinned visibly Muslim person. They relay the challenges of navigating immigration, unceasing bureaucracy, ridiculous medical examinations required by their visa reapplications, and how early on they were explicitly instructed on what documents to carry and how to comport themself when faced with questioning from authorities. Most profoundly, Hijab Butch Blues reinforces that there is no set timeline for any of these reflections. That they are all a meaningful part of learning, unlearning, growth, and maturity. There is no perfect path. There is the one we take; the one we learn from; the bonds we form along the way.

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ladythana's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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matmatmatty's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Beautiful narrative, weaving in stories of Prophets from the Quran with stories from the author's life.

Really showed what it meant to be a queer Muslim, to be an immigrant, to be an "other" in your community.

This one really got me.

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ren_the_hobbit's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book hit really hard. It’s insanely well written and I cried multiple times just from feeling so seen. I also appreciated chapters about experiences different from mine as I am a white person born in the USA and so it’s extra important to listen to other viewpoints.

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decaying's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

I always find that with every memoir I've read (so far), the best ones tend to be the ones that left me feeling gaping. Something that has never been more true than when I read Hijab Butch Blues. This is a memoir that tenderly weaves the different stories of prophets in the qur'an with the life of Lamya, who's navigating through the complicated knots of existing as both queer and muslim; a constant conflict--both externally and internally--of faith and identity. Lamya's writing is the kind that pulls me into the body and mind of when I was younger too; very confused, very conflicted, and very queer. But as do any children at the age of barely seventeen, I didn't quite have the words to describe it. It's always an honour to be able to be let a glimpse into someone's world and I've felt that to be true with Lamya's book. I think, in her need to tell her story and let others feel less alone, she has accomplished that beautifully here. It is a book that holds you by the hand or resting a hand on your shoulder, reassuring you that you are not alone in this journey. I've felt held and seen through every single page.

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julalbert56's review

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This was a moving and powerful addition to Stone Butch Blues. I cried a few times… the way Lamya structured the story and interwove the Quran into her life was very well done.

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greatjobmeredith's review

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

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labeaux's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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tsegenet's review

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funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Lamya writes the most beautiful book, juxtaposing islamic stories with her life as a queer hijabi muslimah. this book brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my skin. I am Hajar. I am Maryam. I am Asiyah. bravo! i’m not even muslim!

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sheridan_powell's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Can already tell this will be one of my favorite reads this year. The intersection of religion & queerness was so tender & honest it made me cry. For now, I am here <3

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