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Life as a Unicorn: A Journey from Shame to Pride and Everything in Between by Amrou Al-Kadhi
ida_ree's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I don't put stars on my reviews for reasons.
A memoir both heartbreaking and affirming, full of emotional honesty. What a journey this author experienced to come to a place of acceptance, not of their own identity, but of the positive aspects of their cultural heritage. I think, in one way or another, many people who have experienced being a misfit will relate. I came to a better understanding of drag, too, and why it's empowering for the performers.
A memoir both heartbreaking and affirming, full of emotional honesty. What a journey this author experienced to come to a place of acceptance, not of their own identity, but of the positive aspects of their cultural heritage. I think, in one way or another, many people who have experienced being a misfit will relate. I came to a better understanding of drag, too, and why it's empowering for the performers.
gmd316's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Great reflection on being queer, Arab and Muslim - less about his internal realizations and more about how the world accepts him
librarian087's review against another edition
5.0
This book had me from the first page. Amrou's story of their interaction with hijabi women at a drag show gave me the warmest, most affirming emotional hug - from there, I didn't want to set the book aside. I usually don't go for non-fiction, but as a queer spiritual person from a very conservative religious background, reading stories like Amrou's give me so much hope and peace. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
sairashahid's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
philippakmoore's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just....wow.
This is a magnificent memoir which deserves a very wide audience indeed.
Amrou Al-Kadhi tells the story of how they grew up in a strict Iraqi Muslim family, in both the Middle East and in the UK, and struggled to fit into any box, norm or expectation, either from society or their family, from a very early age. Amrou fights racism and prejudice on the daily at their public school (showing that Eton is full of the bellends I always suspected it to be!) and hides their true self from their family, having already experienced their profoundly heartbreaking judgement and rejection. At university, Amrou discovers drag. All of sudden, their true self has an outlet and life takes on new meaning and colour...and new complications as well.
I found myself so moved by this memoir. While I can't relate to most of Amrou's experiences, I think we can all relate to feeling misunderstood and rejected, especially by those we love, and the struggles to find and let our true selves shine through, and to feel safe doing so. Amrou writes with humour, wisdom and insight on what was a very painful journey but now they have found a level of self-acceptance, self-love and peace.
A book that manages to be brutal and beautiful at the same time. Highly, highly recommended.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
This is a magnificent memoir which deserves a very wide audience indeed.
Amrou Al-Kadhi tells the story of how they grew up in a strict Iraqi Muslim family, in both the Middle East and in the UK, and struggled to fit into any box, norm or expectation, either from society or their family, from a very early age. Amrou fights racism and prejudice on the daily at their public school (showing that Eton is full of the bellends I always suspected it to be!) and hides their true self from their family, having already experienced their profoundly heartbreaking judgement and rejection. At university, Amrou discovers drag. All of sudden, their true self has an outlet and life takes on new meaning and colour...and new complications as well.
I found myself so moved by this memoir. While I can't relate to most of Amrou's experiences, I think we can all relate to feeling misunderstood and rejected, especially by those we love, and the struggles to find and let our true selves shine through, and to feel safe doing so. Amrou writes with humour, wisdom and insight on what was a very painful journey but now they have found a level of self-acceptance, self-love and peace.
A book that manages to be brutal and beautiful at the same time. Highly, highly recommended.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
_ciaran's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25