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A review by davidgilani
A Dutiful Boy by Mohsin Zaidi
4.0
Zaidi's 'A Dutiful Boy' covers his unique experience of growing up as a gay, Pakistani Muslim boy in Britain. His challenges at school... his journey to Oxford... his career... his acceptance of his sexuality... his struggles with his family to accept his sexuality too. I found the last few chapters particularly moving.
I personally related to a lot in this book... I suppose with the exception of the Muslim / religious aspects. In particular, it was the pressure that he put on himself to be 'successful' at school - because of some need to please his family and teachers. It was heartening to see him find 'his crowd' at uni - a group that allowed and encouraged him to be himself. His inability to identify both as gay and Muslim at the same time - forcing him to leave his religion behind. Loads of interesting parts of this book now I'm reflecting on it.
I personally related to a lot in this book... I suppose with the exception of the Muslim / religious aspects. In particular, it was the pressure that he put on himself to be 'successful' at school - because of some need to please his family and teachers. It was heartening to see him find 'his crowd' at uni - a group that allowed and encouraged him to be himself. His inability to identify both as gay and Muslim at the same time - forcing him to leave his religion behind. Loads of interesting parts of this book now I'm reflecting on it.