![]() Saleem Haddad is London based, but in this novel he draws on his Middle Eastern heritage to paint a truthful image of the manifestations and perceptions of homosexuality within Arab culture. ![]() Through flashbacks, we learn of Rasa's younger life his parents deaths, his awakening sexuality, and his time studying in the U.S., where he is distrusted in the wake of terror attacks in the west. 'I dreamt of kissing his cheek, because it struck me that to kiss your lover's cheek in public was quite ordinary,' Rasa writes, sharing his painful desire and longing in a story that is equal parts romance and thriller. Faced with the prospect of never seeing his lover again, the novel gives us an insight into how it feels to be in love in a society where that love remains strongly forbidden. promising debut." -Kirkus Reviews "Haddad presents a striking look at gay life, the psychological cost of conformity, and what it means to be true to yourself from a Middle Eastern perspective." -Booklist "Warmly recommended to all readers who are interested in issues of diversity and the Middle East." -Library Journal "A remarkable debut." -The Huffington Post "Set in an unnamed Middle Eastern country across the course of one day, Guapa follows the story of Rasa, a young gay man who has been caught in bed with a boyfriend by his overbearing grandmother.Rasa exists against a backdrop of civil unrest, heavy-handed police and homophobia. ![]() "Those looking for a nuanced portrait of gay life in the modern Middle East will find plenty to admire in this. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |