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tnaimpally's review
5.0
I can't quite begin to describe the process of reading this book. While I am not Pakistani American, as the child of immigrants from the sub-continent, Wajahat Ali's writing made me feel seen and made me feel such a deep empathetic sadness. My experience of the US is one that started later with moving here for college but it still held hallmarks of some what he experienced as a child. Wajahat Ali doesnt shy away from the hardships he has faced but he describes his resilience and the way immigrant communities can both support and be their own enemies with incredible pathos. His statement - "everything is conditional in America, even the right to the American dream" - distill the core mistrust and breakdown in this country so fundamentally.
But he ends it on a note that leaves me hopeful. Indeed, when they ask me to go back to where I come from, I'll think of Wajahat Ali, and say "thank you, I'm already here" too.
But he ends it on a note that leaves me hopeful. Indeed, when they ask me to go back to where I come from, I'll think of Wajahat Ali, and say "thank you, I'm already here" too.
l1brarygirl's review
3.0
Pop Sugar’s 2022 Reading Challenge - A book with the name of a board game in the title
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