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  • We Have Always Been Here

  • A Queer Muslim Memoir
  • Written by: Samra Habib
  • Narrated by: Parmida Vand
  • Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (282 ratings)

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We Have Always Been Here cover art

We Have Always Been Here

Written by: Samra Habib
Narrated by: Parmida Vand
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Publisher's Summary

CANADA READS 2020 WINNER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 EDNA STAEBLER AWARD FOR CREATIVE NON-FICTION
NATIONAL BESTSELLER

2020 LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER
ONE OF BOOK RIOT'S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL QUEER BOOKS OF ALL TIME


How do you find yourself when the world tells you that you don't exist?

Samra Habib has spent most of their life searching for the safety to be themself. As an Ahmadi Muslim growing up in Pakistan, they faced regular threats from Islamic extremists who believed the small, dynamic sect to be blasphemous. From their parents, they internalized the lesson that revealing their identity could put them in grave danger.

When their family came to Canada as refugees, Samra encountered a whole new host of challenges: bullies, racism, the threat of poverty, and an arranged marriage. Backed into a corner, their need for a safe space--in which to grow and nurture their creative, feminist spirit--became dire. The men in Samra's life wanted to police them, the women in their life had only shown them the example of pious obedience, and their body was a problem to be solved.

So begins an exploration of faith, art, love, and queer sexuality, a journey that takes them to the far reaches of the globe to uncover a truth that was within them all along. A triumphant memoir of forgiveness and family, both chosen and not, We Have Always Been Here is a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt out of place and a testament to the power of fearlessly inhabiting one's truest self.

©2019 Samra Habib (P)2019 Viking

What the critics say

Winner of Canada Reads 2020

Winner of the 2020 Lambda Literary Award

Longlisted for the 2020 RBC Taylor Prize

Longlisted for the 2020 Toronto Book Award

“Gutting and redemptive, We Have Always Been Here is the story of one [person’s] path to self-determination against every odd. Habib’s voice is sensual and mesmerizing, [their] talent fierce and necessary. A transformative reading experience . . . Habib’s every word lifts off the page, vital and bright as a match being struck.” (Claudia Dey, author of Heartbreaker)

“I could not put down this drama of crossing borders, both external and interior, that teaches us to look into ourselves more deeply and to see others with more empathy. This book is a gift in a historical moment of many struggles, and we are lucky to share Habib’s generous and courageous story. I will be giving everyone I know this book!” (Kim Echlin, author of The Disappeared)

“I fell in love with this book. In prose as economical, crisp, clear, and truthful as poetry, Samra Habib offers a map of how we might learn to see and treasure one another and ourselves. In this way it calls to mind the works of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Jane Rule. I predict that this book will never go out of print - it will become required and desired reading for people of all ages, persuasions, and backgrounds. How I wish I had had it to keep close to my heart when I was younger.” (Shani Mootoo, author of Cereus Blooms at Night

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What listeners say about We Have Always Been Here

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Captivating Listen

I listened to this every chance I got. I had heard about it through Canada Reads. I only knew a little about it so was slightly slow in the beginning but really helped tie the story together by the end. The narrator was easy and enjoyable to listen to. I do not know any of the authors native languages so they just sounded beautiful to me. A very captivating story of someone that inhabits many minorities we hear so rarely about.

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a stunning memoir

I love reading memoirs and listening to people's stories of their lived experiences. But Samra's story particularly resonates with me as an immigrant, growing up in an Iranian Muslim family. I couldn't stop crying while listening to the last 2 chapters! well written, vivid descriptions

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Could Have Used a Bit of Fine Tuning

I thought this was interesting and I loved learning about being queer and an immigrant woman of colour. I liked a lot of the essays and stories in here, especially once Samra realized she needed to leave where she felt comfortable in order to find her true self - something I think a lot of queer people experience. However, I thought there were a few areas that could have used fine tuning to focus in on specific aspects since it was stories with a central pull and thread that you didn't have to "figure out" - it was right there for you.

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Exactly what I needed

Navigating my own identity as a queer woman and a Muslim revert meant that I felt there was no place for me, mostly anywhere. It wasn’t until I found and completed this book that I felt secure in my existence, and a newfound drive to make myself heard. I don’t want to hide anymore. Thank you, Samra, for showing me that I can be fiercely myself and that my biggest mistake was second-guessing myself and my identity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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I didn’t know I needed it

I loved everything about this book. The author opened her heart to us in a way few are able to do. Highly recommend this book to ANYONE.

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If it could have only been longer

The valuable insights and Derek’s of the authors journey are enthralling and worth every word she wrote plus some. There is so much learning our society needs to do and she shines an important light on that learning while sharing her truth

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Beautiful

A beautifully written memoir. Ms Habib has an incredible talent for prose keeping the reader captivated. Highly recommend.

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so many challenges faced

she brought light to so many issues faced in society all through her own complicated lens

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If you’re curious, you should buy

This was such a moving story, I loved it from start to finish. An amazing story about being a Muslim woman, queerness, artistic practice, being othered, being an immigrant. I couldn’t recommend it enough.

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a beautiful listen to a life

I'm an hour in and am enjoying it very much. it's healing to hear the stories of us wonderful humans. it's amazing to me how much it ours my own life into perspective. the description of the author's life in Pakistan is beautifully textured, coloured, related. I feel like I'm there with the family's struggles and achievements and delicious meals. thank you so much to the author. so beautiful... a window of opportunity towards understanding the complex culture we create.

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