Reviews

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

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camrynamelia's review

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5.0

UGH i loved this book so much

singlet_reads's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

readingwithgoose's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition

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Never easy "reviewing" a memoir. Who am I to say X Y and Z about someone's deeply personal thoughts, feelings and experiences? This was certainly moving, and a perspective that isn't all that seen/heard out there in the world. Particularly affecting where those chapters exploring how hidden Lamya's life and love was. Sometimes, there's no scope for a triumphant declaration of self and I appreciated her nuanced take. Be to thine own self be sure, for sure, but does that self need to be declared? Does it need to be public to be authentic? When love comes with conditions, is it any less meaningful?

Food for thought, man.

I've noticed a fair few reviews taking issue with her religious takes/perspectives, and I mean... I can't speak to that, but the way I see it, is that this is a personal account, full of intimate reflections and philosophies. It's not academic. It's diary. Don't take it as doctrine I suppose would be the advice. An imperfect person's imperfect interpretation (as are all interpretations of religious texts as far as I'm concerned).

hanaspages's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

5.0

pchopd's review

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4.0

I loved the narrative structure of linking the personal essays to excerpts from the Quran - I learned so much and felt like each new set of chapters was a new, enticing set of reflections.