
Home Is Not a Country
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Narrated by:
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Safia Elhillo
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Christopher Myers
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By:
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Safia Elhillo
Longlisted for the National Book Award
“Nothing short of magic.” (Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times best-selling author of The Poet X)
From the acclaimed poet featured on Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30” list, this powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been. Woven through with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation on family, belonging, and home.
my mother meant to name me for her favorite flower
its sweetness garlands made for pretty girls
i imagine her yasmeen bright & alive
& i ache to have been born her instead
Nima wishes she were someone else. She doesn’t feel understood by her mother, who grew up in a different land. She doesn’t feel accepted in her suburban town; yet somehow, she isn't different enough to belong elsewhere. Her best friend, Haitham, is the only person with whom she can truly be herself. Until she can't, and suddenly her only refuge is gone
As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen - the name her parents meant to give her at birth - Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might be more real than Nima knows. And the life Nima wishes were someone else's... is one she will need to fight for with a fierceness she never knew she possessed.
©2021 Safia Elhillo (P)2021 Listening LibraryListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
“Movingly unravels themes of belonging, Islamophobia, and the interlocking oppressions thrust upon immigrant women.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“[A] surreal crash-course in perspective, agency, and self-love.” (Booklist, starred review)
“Artfully profound and achingly beautiful, Elhillo’s verse aptly explores diasporic yearning for one’s home and a universal fascination with possibilities.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
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Totally Worth a Listen and All the Awards!
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Such an incredible story
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I think of it as an added bonus that we were able to hear it read in the voice of the author.
Wonderful story telling, I could see myself in this story. Highly recommend.
Wow!!! What a compelling story!
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Incredible
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