readwithmeemz's reviews
1329 reviews

 Brilliant and evocative, this was a short but impactful read that I stayed up way too late reading. This was a thoughtful, sharp, and powerful book that at turns critiques Western imperialism and neoliberalism, and offers a passage through collective grief into collective action. At times this was devastating, I saw much of myself and my own experiences in this book. Omar El Akkad’s words are a balm, to carry you through the heart of empire, while simultaneously functioning as a handful of sand that you can toss into the gears of the machine.

This was more affecting than expected. I think reading this as a Brown Muslim who now lives IN the empire (Canada), it was relatable in a profoundly visceral way. I like to highlight passages that I find powerful, and while read this, I decided to add tabs to each page with a quote or passage that moved me... My copy of this book is cluttered with tabs, and green with highlights. El Akkad is a talented writer, and there's no doubt about that. Each word and phrase and passage is written with care. He paints a portrait of grief and rage that articulates something many of us have been bearing.

I definitely don't think this book is for everyone. For some, it may feel obvious, or antithetical to their belief system. For some, they may feel called out, or uncomfortable. For some, this is a challenge to their desire to looking away, or perhaps even cheering for a system of violence that aims to quash, diminish, and destroy the 'other'. However, I think there are people who will find this book an answer, a balm, a meditation. Something to hold onto when things get difficult. Others may find it challenging, but hopefully in a way that galvanizes.

We talk a lot about reading and what it can do, and for me, one of the most important things reading can do for us is challenge us. To hold our systems of belief and our schools of thought up to the light - and maybe, just maybe, they won't hold up to additional scrutiny. And this book does that.

While this book was devastating, it also offered a path forward - through the grief, desolation, devastation, and range, and towards a new, better future. One of hope and community, and most importantly, love.

I look forward to the book being out in the world.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher. 

I had mixed feelings about this. I liked a lot about it, but as much as I wanted to love it, I had a hard time connecting with and resonating with a lot about this. I get that the author is trying to emerge out of her cultural collectivism and the self-sacrifice that can come from it, but this book veered a bit too much into transactional self care for me, in a way that just didn’t land for me. Instead of being specifically about not comparing ourselves to each other, there was a lot about it that felt a bit selfish almost (at least to me). I took bits and pieces from it, but ultimately nothing that changed my perspective or made me feel strongly. This was fine - just not what I was looking for.