48 pages • 1 hour read •
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
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Book Brief
220
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Various Settings • 1990s-2010s
•
Religion & Spirituality•
Gender Identity•
LGBTQ+•
Immigration & Refugeeism2019
Penguin Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib chronicles the author's journey from childhood in Pakistan to becoming a prominent LGBTQ+ Muslim figure. After relocating to Canada to escape religious persecution, Samra's family faces poverty and discrimination. Amidst a strict religious upbringing, Samra navigates their queer identity, eventually fleeing an arranged marriage to find themselves. Their story highlights the compatibility of LGBTQ+ and Muslim identities, challenging stereotypes and addressing themes like faith, identity, and intergenerational trauma. The memoir includes sexual assault, domestic abuse, and anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ+ biases.
Informative
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
18,484 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib has been hailed for its poignant and powerful narrative, blending personal memoir with broader socio-cultural themes. Reviewers praise Habib's candid and heartfelt exploration of identity and resilience. However, some felt the narrative occasionally lacked depth in certain areas. Overall, it's a compelling read.
Who Should Read We Have Always Been Here?
A reader who enjoys We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib likely appreciates memoirs exploring identity, immigration, and LGBTQ+ experiences. Fans of Fun Home by Alison Bechdel or Redefining Realness by Janet Mock will resonate with Habib's heartfelt, intersectional journey of self-discovery and resilience.
18,484 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Abi and Megan
Abi and Megan
Abi is Habib’s boss and serves as a critical mentor, while her partner Megan provides insight into gender-nonconforming identities. They collectively act as supportive figures in Habib’s life and found family.
Andrew
Andrew
An art student and Habib’s first openly LGBTQ+ friend, he encourages Habib’s exploration of self-expression and introduces them to LGBTQ+ culture.
Yasmin Habib
Yasmin Habib
Habib’s mother, a resilient woman who fled Pakistan with her family and opened a salon in Toronto, providing economic autonomy and community for Pakistani women.
We Have Always Been Here won the 2020 Canada Reads competition, an annual Canadian literary award presented by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The memoir is a poignant exploration of Samra Habib's journey of discovering and embracing her queer identity while navigating her intersectional life experiences, including being a refugee from Pakistan.
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Samra Habib is also known for her photography project “Just Me and Allah,” which visually documents the diverse experiences of queer Muslims around the world.
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220
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Various Settings • 1990s-2010s
•
Religion & Spirituality•
Gender Identity•
LGBTQ+•
Immigration & Refugeeism2019
Penguin Books
Adult
18+ years
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