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A review by rgoth
Finding My Voice by Nadiya Hussain
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I loved listening to this audiobook, with Nadyia herself narrating her words, infused the story with a profound authenticity that truly enhanced my connection to the book.
Nadyia has always held a special place in my heart ever since she emerged as my favourite contestant from The Great British Bake Off. However, my admiration for her has deepened significantly, particularly after she courageously opened up about her mental health challenges.
Her writing is a beautiful blend of honesty, raw emotion, and wit; it carries layers of humour and frustration while remaining profoundly relatable. She delves into deeply emotive subjects, exploring her upbringing, the dreams she aspired to, and the often conflicting expectations placed upon her as a Muslim woman with Bangladeshi heritage.
One of the most striking elements of the book is her intricate relationship with her parents, which she portrays with poignant vulnerability. While I cannot fully grasp the specific experiences of being a Muslim person of colour, I can empathise with the struggle of simultaneously loving and resenting one’s upbringing and navigating societal expectations that can feel restrictive.
Though I acknowledge that some sections of the book may come across as a bit disjointed, I believe this only serves to emphasize the authentic, human aspect of her narrative. These imperfections didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment of her storytelling; if anything, they made it more relatable and real.
Overall, I feel this book only makes me love Nadiya more, and I can only thank her for her open, authentic writing and for allowing herself to be completely vulnerable. There are some difficult topics explored and it takes guts to open up like this.
Nadyia has always held a special place in my heart ever since she emerged as my favourite contestant from The Great British Bake Off. However, my admiration for her has deepened significantly, particularly after she courageously opened up about her mental health challenges.
Her writing is a beautiful blend of honesty, raw emotion, and wit; it carries layers of humour and frustration while remaining profoundly relatable. She delves into deeply emotive subjects, exploring her upbringing, the dreams she aspired to, and the often conflicting expectations placed upon her as a Muslim woman with Bangladeshi heritage.
One of the most striking elements of the book is her intricate relationship with her parents, which she portrays with poignant vulnerability. While I cannot fully grasp the specific experiences of being a Muslim person of colour, I can empathise with the struggle of simultaneously loving and resenting one’s upbringing and navigating societal expectations that can feel restrictive.
Though I acknowledge that some sections of the book may come across as a bit disjointed, I believe this only serves to emphasize the authentic, human aspect of her narrative. These imperfections didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment of her storytelling; if anything, they made it more relatable and real.
Overall, I feel this book only makes me love Nadiya more, and I can only thank her for her open, authentic writing and for allowing herself to be completely vulnerable. There are some difficult topics explored and it takes guts to open up like this.
Moderate: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry