A review by analyticalchaos
Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

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).