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ajay913's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Medical content, Lesbophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Misogyny, Death of parent, Grief, Police brutality, Classism, Dysphoria, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Drug abuse, Vomit, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Suicide, and Alcohol
b_robinson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
"If You Could Be Mine" explored quite a few things that I previously wasn't very knowledgeable about, so it was nice to read an interesting story and learn stuff from it.
My main subject of learning was the queer community in Iran, but also some perspectives of the main faith tradition there (Islam, I think). It was actually kinda fascinating exploring the perception of trans people - referred to as "transsexuals" in the book - with the comparison of other queer identities. It felt so different from how other societies in the world go about accommodating (or not accommodating) trans people, and so this was an aspect I really enjoyed.
I didn't really like any of the characters that much, but I could definitely appreciate their journeys, and I liked that I couldn't really predict the ending, which gave it some intrigue.
My main subject of learning was the queer community in Iran, but also some perspectives of the main faith tradition there (Islam, I think). It was actually kinda fascinating exploring the perception of trans people - referred to as "transsexuals" in the book - with the comparison of other queer identities. It felt so different from how other societies in the world go about accommodating (or not accommodating) trans people, and so this was an aspect I really enjoyed.
I didn't really like any of the characters that much, but I could definitely appreciate their journeys, and I liked that I couldn't really predict the ending, which gave it some intrigue.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Misogyny, Police brutality, Sexism, and Torture
tahsintries's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Misogyny
Moderate: Transphobia and Medical content
lixard's review
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- First moment to make me cry and it's the father daughter conversation!!! How typical of me
- Guess it's par for course on how desperate the girls are to keep their relationship, even in its dregs and crumbles, because it feels like it could be the end of the world (their youth, childhood) if it ends
- Mr. Ali, King of the gays?? Alright legend
- Daughter 💔 someone get her into uni for literature right this instant or I'll riot
- it was heartbreaking, all aspects and characters involved had something tragic happen and it was just sad but truthful to read
- i appreciate that they showed not just one perspective of queer issues in Iran, but a lot of different sides, each with their own flaws, especially that hormone exchange in the restaurant really broke my heart
- many many layers of discrimination and stigma - which is a good reflection of what i can only presume is the issue in iran, and throughout the world
- sahar's desperation in finding a way to stay with nasrin, or else she wouldn't be able to move on seems dramatic but fitting for a young adult to feel, especially with all the other things in her life changing as well - in another situation/book
with a heterosexual couple that would've probably found a solution,there would've been a similar level of desperation, just maybe without the same stakes - i also like the shame explored by sahar after she realized someone was trans and then trying to find the "thing" that made them identifiable,, it kind of spoke to the tiniest ways you can be transphobic without really meaning to, but should definitely reflect on
I don't always like my body or that I have love handles. I don't always like that as a woman, I have fewer opetions than men, even men that aren't as smart as I am.
But I never feel like my body is a trap.
If anything, I feel like my love is a trap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Transphobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Deadnaming
ssconsequat's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Firstly I would like to state that:
1) I understand this book is not written for me and this style of writing is not for me
2) This book has probably made great leaps in LGBT literature
But the looming story line of Sahar and their journey through ‘transsexuality’ for Nasrin bothered me greatly. Sahar simply worked too hard for Nasrin and although she becomes aware of this, it just made me feel uncomfortable and impatient at the choices Sahar made. Simply, Nasrin is not worth the amount of work that Sahar puts into her.
1) I understand this book is not written for me and this style of writing is not for me
2) This book has probably made great leaps in LGBT literature
But the looming story line of
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, Transphobia, Medical trauma, and Medical content
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