48 pages • 1 hour read
Samra HabibWe Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.