Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family by Najla Said

3.76 AVERAGE

ouroredux's profile picture

ouroredux's review against another edition

4.0
challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced
fareehareads's profile picture

fareehareads's review against another edition

4.0
emotional reflective sad fast-paced
sagittariusreads_'s profile picture

sagittariusreads_'s review against another edition

5.0
emotional informative reflective medium-paced
bookhex's profile picture

bookhex's review against another edition

4.5
emotional reflective medium-paced
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taratearex's profile picture

taratearex's review against another edition

3.0
reflective fast-paced
This is a memoir by the daughter of Edward Said, it is apparently based on a play that she performs about identity and her life trying to figure out who she is in a world that is extremely racist towards Arabs. I think the part of the title Looking for Palestine is a bit misleading as there are brief moments where she talks about her relationship to Palestine, but she talks much more about Lebanon, and this is more about the other part of the title- where she is confused and trying to understand her identity and where she fits in in the world. Overall an enjoyable read, but I found myself more interested in her parents, which would probably be very annoying for her to hear! But she was very disengaged and trying to avoid politics most of her life. But her fears and disengagement make sense and this does really show the impact of racism on someone and how much that effects someone's confidence and health. 

TW: War, Eating Disorder, Racism/Xenophobia, Parent death, Cancer
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rami_reads's review against another edition

4.75
challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

wren_wren_wren's review against another edition

Big love. Very informative for me as a white, Settler reader
wchereads's profile picture

wchereads's review against another edition

I will be honest, this was not an entirely good read, even though I appreciate the author's vulnerability and honesty; her own story is a testament to the importance of diverse voices and positive representations in media - not just racist caricatures. I imagine I may have a better time following along the narrative if I saw her performance. The writing often felt disjointed and directionless and was frustrating to follow.
vivacissimx's profile picture

vivacissimx's review against another edition

3.0
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

aborham's review against another edition

3.0
I don't think she has found Palestine yet!