Exploration of Identity, Culture and Acceptance
"It is such a privilege, you know? To get to be yourself, all of yourself, in this great big world."
How It All Blew Up is an interesting book about identity, family, acceptance and being true to yourself. I loved Amir's character. He was real and multi-dimensional as he struggled with how his sexuality and culture clashed. Amir's fear that his family would not be able to accept him was heartbreaking and something that too many people deal with in their lives.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book from Amir's family to his fellow high school students and his new Italian friends, who were so full of life, fun and yet complex. The Italian setting was described so vividly. I could picture the piazzas and bars and cafes. Arvin Ahmadi's format of alternating between the interrogation room, Amir's high school experience and his time in Rome worked really well to build curiosity about "how it all blew up". This was a quick, enjoyable read with great messages about identity and unconditional love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin and Viking Books for this copy in exchange for my honest review. Quote above is from an ARC and is subject to change.
How It All Blew Up is an interesting book about identity, family, acceptance and being true to yourself. I loved Amir's character. He was real and multi-dimensional as he struggled with how his sexuality and culture clashed. Amir's fear that his family would not be able to accept him was heartbreaking and something that too many people deal with in their lives.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book from Amir's family to his fellow high school students and his new Italian friends, who were so full of life, fun and yet complex. The Italian setting was described so vividly. I could picture the piazzas and bars and cafes. Arvin Ahmadi's format of alternating between the interrogation room, Amir's high school experience and his time in Rome worked really well to build curiosity about "how it all blew up". This was a quick, enjoyable read with great messages about identity and unconditional love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin and Viking Books for this copy in exchange for my honest review. Quote above is from an ARC and is subject to change.