Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo Published by Make Me a World on March 2, 2021
Pages: 224
Goodreads
A mesmerizing novel in verse about family, identity, and finding yourself in the most unexpected places--for fans of The Poet X, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, and Jason Reynolds.
Nima doesn't feel understood. By her mother, who grew up far away in a different land. By her suburban town, which makes her feel too much like an outsider to fit in and not enough like an outsider to feel like that she belongs somewhere else. At least she has her childhood friend Haitham, with whom she can let her guard down and be herself.Until she doesn't.
As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen, the name her parents didn't give her at birth: Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might just be more real than Nima knows. And more hungry.And the life Nima has, the one she keeps wishing were someone else's. . .she might have to fight for it with a fierceness she never knew she had.
Nothing short of magic...One of the best writers of our times.-- Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times Bestselling author of The Poet X
In the past, I have strayed away from novels in verse except for a few exceptions like the works of Ellen Hopkins. Lately, though I have really taken a liking to them! This particular novel if read in one sitting would take about a day, but I was in the hospital last week with acute pancreatitis so it took somewhat longer. It’s hard to concentrate on what your reading when they have you on the strong pain medication required to help the issue.
I am so glad I took the time to read this novel though! It was a bit confusing at certain parts when it came to the relationship between Nima and what she considered her alter-ego Yasmeen. I especially enjoyed how Nima was able to see her past (though I am not clear exactly on how that happened) after a certain point I didn’t care about the how because the story was enriched so much from her seeing her past. She got to see so many things she would not have had the chance to had it not happened.
It helped her tremendously as well to be able to get more of her story though I am leaving that part blank for you dear reader! What would be the point of you going out and getting the novel for yourself if I explained the whole story to you! So, other than a couple of confusing bits covering somehow’s in the novel it was quite a good story and I suggest you grab it! It will def help you appreciate your life a little bit more. While pushing you (as it did me) to learn more about your own family history.
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