In this new release, we see Amir coming to terms with his sexuality. Raised in a conservative home that identifies as culturally Muslim, Amir has kept his sexual identify of being gay a secret. In his new town, he begins a relationship with a boy from school who is also keeping his sexual identity secret. Amir is already teased and picked on for his ethnic identify, so when the school bully realizes that Amir is gay, he sets out to blackmail him.
Amir quickly becomes depressed and desperate for a solution. Rather than coming out to his parents, he decides to skip graduation and literally run away from his problems. Amir lands in Italy and finds himself in a group of gay young men, who not only accept his identity but cheer him on and support him. Amir is able to live openly gay for the first time, but even then, he isn't completely honest about his situation at home.
This novel explores the tensions, fears and stress that teens with multiple identities that are the white, cis-gender narrative experience. While blackmail and escaping to Italy may not be happen to everyone in Amir's situation - this novel really explores the real fear that many teens face in coming out to their families and communities, as well as the tension of not fitting in fully in either community.
I appreciated the authors exploration of the multiple identities Amir struggles with and accepting your own identity. Since I am not Persian, Italian or Gay - I am not sure how accurate these portrayals are and would be interested in some own voice reviews. At minimum, I was grateful to see some representation of a Muslim gay teen even though I don't think the religious aspect of Amir's identity was explored much. It reminded me of being raised in a nominal religious home, where a religion is identified but for the teen is is really just cultural and not a personal faith perspective.
Additionally, this novel is set with the Muslim family being in separate interrogation rooms due to an altercation that they had on the plane ride home from Europe - addressing the very real racism in our country towards those who identify as Middle Eastern in a post-9/11 society. Again, this isn't my identity so not sure how accurate this was versus a stereotype.
Amir quickly becomes depressed and desperate for a solution. Rather than coming out to his parents, he decides to skip graduation and literally run away from his problems. Amir lands in Italy and finds himself in a group of gay young men, who not only accept his identity but cheer him on and support him. Amir is able to live openly gay for the first time, but even then, he isn't completely honest about his situation at home.
This novel explores the tensions, fears and stress that teens with multiple identities that are the white, cis-gender narrative experience. While blackmail and escaping to Italy may not be happen to everyone in Amir's situation - this novel really explores the real fear that many teens face in coming out to their families and communities, as well as the tension of not fitting in fully in either community.
I appreciated the authors exploration of the multiple identities Amir struggles with and accepting your own identity. Since I am not Persian, Italian or Gay - I am not sure how accurate these portrayals are and would be interested in some own voice reviews. At minimum, I was grateful to see some representation of a Muslim gay teen even though I don't think the religious aspect of Amir's identity was explored much. It reminded me of being raised in a nominal religious home, where a religion is identified but for the teen is is really just cultural and not a personal faith perspective.
Additionally, this novel is set with the Muslim family being in separate interrogation rooms due to an altercation that they had on the plane ride home from Europe - addressing the very real racism in our country towards those who identify as Middle Eastern in a post-9/11 society. Again, this isn't my identity so not sure how accurate this was versus a stereotype.