Reviews

Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

chloescozycorner's review against another edition

4.0

I listened to the audiobook, which was very well done, but wish I had read it to glean more from the verse. I found the story beautiful and heartbreaking, with the way Elhilo paints the Islamic immigrant experience, and seeking to find your own way in the world.

marylaffey's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

For the people who wish they had lived differently - this book solidifies who you are now

annayareads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I cried! So beautiful. So evocative. So moving. Connection is what is important in this novel-in-verse. Elhillo treats each relationship with care and reverence. I felt so grateful for the people whose souls feel destined to have met with mine. Free Sudan.

dewsdrops's review against another edition

5.0

Oh I’m crying and crying and crying  and I will be crying forever and ever. I don’t have any of the words in either language to explain what this book is to me.  I read it as slow as I could to keep it with me. قلبي وبلدي

rebeccasfantasyworld's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bayanreads's review against another edition

5.0

i loved loved this!! books in verse have always had a special place in my heart. “home” has also always been a topic on my mind, is it a place? is it a person? can home be a place or a person you’ve never known/met? can it be a feeling and not a state?

i found myself within nima’s character, home is not always a country indeed. i cried along the chapter called “mama” where nima kept apologizing to her mother for everything that has happened, the need of hearing her mom’s voice and to feel her touch being impossible even though they were next to each other all along had me in tears 

i’m sorry you got this storm cloud for a daughter instead of the flowers you deserved, sorry on the days you wear the hat instead of the scarf & scared on the days you don’t, i’m sorry you didn’t get the daughter you dreamt up, the girl named for her sweetness & blooming, i’m sorry i blamed your scarf when they called me a terrorist i’m sorry i blamed your loss for the ways my life feels empty.

f_o_x's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

analyticalchaos's review against another edition

5.0

Home is Not A Country follows the story of Nima, a child of a Sudanese immigrant in America. Nima feels stuck in her role as an outcast, as negative perceptions of her culture reflect upon her ability to feel as if she belongs. To combat this, she often dreams of a better life in Sudan, making up an entire alternate persona of herself: Yasmeen.

I’ve never seen this side of assimilation and cultural confusion addressed before in literature. Nima is a character that wishes to go back to Sudan and resents her mother for bringing her to America. I like that it’s not a narrative that glorifies America, but rather an objective stance on both countries. Nima’s doubts of belonging are addressed in a beautiful, relatable way.

I will admit, the magical realism trope is a favorite of mine. Elhillo uses this concept wonderfully in a way that augments the themes of the novel. The verse is flowing and seamless, full of nuance and emotion.

I highly recommend this book (also the cover is gorgeous, you have to hold this book in your hands, holy crap).

smalefowles's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a gorgeous book! I found it beautiful and compelling from the beginning, but in some ways a familiar story. Then it took a turn into magical realism, and became unbelievable, in the best sense. A touch of horror, a touch of It's a Wonderful Life, and a wistfully beautiful portrait of the Sudan--such an amazing story.

lyricalsoul's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5