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A review by archytas
Coming of Age: Growing up Muslim in Australia by Amra Pajalic, Demet Divaroren
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
This book has been out for awhile, and since its release, Black Inc have been releasing anthologies with similar titles, but a slightly different format. It was impossible not to compare these differences - in particular, the recent releases contain far more contributions. I missed the extra diversity - not only in experience but also in writing style and approach to the brief.
Having said that, the twelve contributions here are all very strong. Most memorable for me was perhaps xxx's account of growing up in a multiplicity of communities, each of which is flattened into a single identity in our public narratives: the contrast between the richness of her world, and the inability of stereotypes to accommodate it. I also appreciated the window into Michael Muhammad Ahmad's life, having long been a fan of his work.
Having said that, the twelve contributions here are all very strong. Most memorable for me was perhaps xxx's account of growing up in a multiplicity of communities, each of which is flattened into a single identity in our public narratives: the contrast between the richness of her world, and the inability of stereotypes to accommodate it. I also appreciated the window into Michael Muhammad Ahmad's life, having long been a fan of his work.