Life as a Unicorn

A Journey from Shame to Pride and Everything in Between

De: Amrou Al-Kadhi

Narrado por: Amrou Al-Kadhi

A heart-breaking and hilarious memoir about the author’s fight to be true to themself

WINNER OF THE POLARI FIRST BOOK PRIZE 2020 WINNER OF A SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD

Amrou knew they were gay when, aged ten, they first laid eyes on Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. It was love at first sight.

Amrou’s parents weren’t so happy…

From that moment on, Amrou began searching in all the wrong places for ways to make their divided self whole again.

Life as a Unicorn is a hilarious yet devastating story of a search for belonging, following the painful and surprising process of transforming from a god-fearing Muslim boy to a queer drag queen, strutting the stage in seven-inch heels and saying the things nobody else dares to ….

©2020 Amrou Al-Kadhi (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Reseñas de la Crítica

‘Astonishingly brave and engaging’ Joanna Lumley

'Amazing .. it provides so much nuance to the multiverse of identity’ Gay Times

‘This book is as rare, fabulous and beautiful as the creature it is named for. A masterpiece of psychology, a major study of Islam and a definitive study of drag, it made me cry, it made me rage and it made me hoot. Full of anger, insight and philosophy, along with some cracking great gags, this is a magnificent and essential document of the twenty-first century. It moved my heart and soul’ Russell T Davies

‘A heartbreaking, healing book. it will make you better' Simon Amstell

‘Amrou’s book is slightly magical, I think. They are a survivor, a storyteller and yes, a unicorn’ Juno Dawson

‘Amrou's story is at times painful, at times hilarious, but always completely resonant. If you've ever felt like an outsider, or caught among several identities, this book is a light in the dark and a soothing balm on the pain of loneliness and alienation’ Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani

‘This is a masterpiece, an incredible emotional voyage, moving, funny, provocative, educational, a book you must read whatever your ethnicity or your sexual or gender identity. Beautifully written by an author whose voice must be heard’ Owen Jones

‘Amrou writes with a confidence and lightness of touch, meaning you will laugh and you will cry and you will see real tender moments in a life fully lived. An incredibly adept writer and performer, Amrou brings to readers an important story unlike anything else you will read for a long, long time, and yet so incredibly universal.’ Nikesh Shukla, author of Coconut Unlimited and editor of The Good Immigrant

Fabulous story, kept me hooked!

This made me understand aspects of the queer experience that I never have before, as well as the complexity of how the author's heritage and ancestry intersected with their queer identity. This story was heartbreaking, that the author has to go through so much pain, but beautiful in the redemption they found in the end. The descriptions of their mother are absolutely magnificent and hilarious. Honestly, I finished this book in a matter of a few days because it just hooked me. It was fascinating and enlightening.

So glad I took the time to listen.

I am not gay and I am not young. There are many things that Amrou shares that I was clueless about but yet had heard of such as why someone would not want to be labeled as he or she. My head just couldn’t process the idea. With Amrou sharing his life story, it gave me some insight. Especially when he encounters the life of under water sea creatures. I know it sounds weird but Amrou tells his story in such a fascinating and open way that I felt like I could understand his feelings and have true compassion.
Amrou tells his story in such a beautiful way. His voice is soothing and the words he uses to tell his story are beautiful. The only problem I had is that at times the British accent is hard for me to understand. But his accent is also what makes this audible book so beautiful. I love it! Best Audible I have heard in a while.

Fantastic read

As a queer woman with OCD, I was incredibly moved at hearing Amrou discuss their struggles with OCD. I have never encountered something that I identified with more and their book really helped me identify some compulsions I never considered before. Additionally, being raised very Catholic, I understand the alienation they faced from their religion and family. Amazing, humanizing and compassionate and empowering read. Highly recommend it.

Enjoyed this unflinching exploration

I appreciated the honestly and detail of the inner and outer world of a queer identified individual in multiple oppressive contexts. It’s peppered with interesting insights and reflections, and honestly reveals how a devalued person can turn their pain on others. Hurt people hurt people, but fortunately, Amrou finally finds needed support to discover self-love and transform bitterness to appreciation and love.

I couldn't listen long enough to enjoy

This book totally didn't do anything to keep my attention. I tried very hard to entertain it but it was just to wordy and super boring.