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Life as a Leb-neh Lover: The Identity Crisis of a Maybe-Lebanese
Turning Point brings to you its first Blook: a blog converted into a book, in Kathy Shalhoub’s Life as a Leb-neh Lover. In this lively adaptation from her 12 years of blogging, we are treated to an action-packed memo of a young half-Lebanese, half-Polish woman away from ‘home’ (wherever that may be!). She shares with her readers a series of light and breezy, funny and often touching episodes from a young adulthood crammed full of triumphs, mishaps, highs and lows. Poignantly illustrated by Maya Fidawi, this is a hilarious but touching tribute to preserving Kathy’s attachment to Lebanon.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
154 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 8, 2013
This book is about a Lebanese girl, Kathy Shalhoub, who grew up in Lebanon, went to university in the states, worked in France, and lived in many other parts of the world. She explains her identity crisis as she struggles to stay happy in the USA or as she struggles to make her research successful in Lebanon. Throughout the novel, I connected with her on many levels. I know how strenuous and monotonous life can me in the USA and I know how carefree, crazy, and sometimes politically dangerous life can be in Lebanon. I was able to appreciate all the little things that Kathy Shalhoub remarked about both countries and it made me also appreciate many of the things more in Lebanon such as our exquisite food or how close the mountains are to the beach. Yet, she also made me hate the pollution even more in Lebanon and it's a shame that the environment is not taken care of as it is in more civilized parts of the world. Cumulatively, I've spent around 16 years of my life in the states and 3 years of my life in Lebanon. I never used to appreciate Lebanon as much as I do today; I think that Shalhoub had an impact on my life. Unfortunately, I feel like I might be going through a similar identity crisis. It's up to me to decide whether I am more American or more Lebanese, because after all, in the long run, I can only have one home.
February 13, 2023
I don’t think I’ve ever read something more casually bigoted than this. The fatphobia and the casual racism were just plain disgusting.
The “giant black women” who “are screaming directions” (p.18), the “MSG-filled Chinese food” (p.22), and the “why is a Jewish breakfast so popular anyway?!” (p.24) left a bitter taste in my mouth.
The worst was the whole part about ‘Kilos’ where the author just nags about gaining 4 kilos on pages 22 through 24. “I’m fat!!!” she repeats multiple times but with varying numbers of exclamation marks.
“When I left Lebanon I was 60 kilos, and I felt great! Three months later I’m a blobby 64?!” She then goes on a whole rant elaborating how her only food options are unhealthy to end with a “So please tell me, HOW CAN I NOT GET FAT??!?!?!!”
On page 25, she describes a fat woman at a mall: “a woman at the mall was so huge that she needed a cane to help her keep balance period for centre of gravity, what at least 30 cm out in front of her somewhere between the hills of thought that was supposed to be her chin, boobs, I’m barely period her belly was hanging down like a dress, just about the above her knees and wobbled industry from side to side with every step she took are there in a store she blocked the entire two doors with her body mass, and they couldn’t stop, staring. My friend, bruised my arm, trying to get my attention, but I couldn’t cook away period what are natural disaster in my medical malfunction, hard-core, such an operation?! I was riveted, like you’re riveted looking at the Sun behind the desk. This woman alone was practically responsible single-handedly for a solar eclipse! How can size not matter, people?!”
I think why this paragraph is problematic is self-explanatory.
I also found it quite ironic that she chose to locate Lebanon as North of Israel.
Anyway, please don’t read this. I barely got through 20 pages.
The “giant black women” who “are screaming directions” (p.18), the “MSG-filled Chinese food” (p.22), and the “why is a Jewish breakfast so popular anyway?!” (p.24) left a bitter taste in my mouth.
The worst was the whole part about ‘Kilos’ where the author just nags about gaining 4 kilos on pages 22 through 24. “I’m fat!!!” she repeats multiple times but with varying numbers of exclamation marks.
“When I left Lebanon I was 60 kilos, and I felt great! Three months later I’m a blobby 64?!” She then goes on a whole rant elaborating how her only food options are unhealthy to end with a “So please tell me, HOW CAN I NOT GET FAT??!?!?!!”
On page 25, she describes a fat woman at a mall: “a woman at the mall was so huge that she needed a cane to help her keep balance period for centre of gravity, what at least 30 cm out in front of her somewhere between the hills of thought that was supposed to be her chin, boobs, I’m barely period her belly was hanging down like a dress, just about the above her knees and wobbled industry from side to side with every step she took are there in a store she blocked the entire two doors with her body mass, and they couldn’t stop, staring. My friend, bruised my arm, trying to get my attention, but I couldn’t cook away period what are natural disaster in my medical malfunction, hard-core, such an operation?! I was riveted, like you’re riveted looking at the Sun behind the desk. This woman alone was practically responsible single-handedly for a solar eclipse! How can size not matter, people?!”
I think why this paragraph is problematic is self-explanatory.
I also found it quite ironic that she chose to locate Lebanon as North of Israel.
Anyway, please don’t read this. I barely got through 20 pages.
January 4, 2019
“He told me Lebanon was like the Sirens in Ulysses… the call is so attractive and irresistible, you always want to get closer and closer. As soon as you’re there, you get smashed on the rocks and broken to bits…” (page 102).
Life as a Leb-neh Lover is the first English book, that I have ever read, directed towards a Lebanese audience. And I was really impressed. Really.
I went in expecting a fluffy and cheesy book that would make me cringe as I read it. Instead, I found myself reading a fluffy, yet truthful and spot-on depiction of Lebanon and the Lebanese who stay there or decide to leave. This book portrays Kathy’s journey of self-discovery as she goes back and forth from Lebanon, the United States, and to France.
Since I am a “Lebanese-ish” girl as well, I found Kathy’s conflicting emotions and feelings towards Lebanon truly relatable. For the first time ever, I was able to read about someone else struggle to belong to their country, just like I do. The saying goes… I’m too Lebanese to be a foreigner, yet I’m too foreign to be a Lebanese.
This book was a delight to read. The writing is very simple, and the text is composed of short entries (since they were originally blog posts). Thus, Life as a Leb-neh Lover becomes a very easy and light read. It contains various topics and genres of writing from anecdotes to poetry. Some parts will cause you to laugh and some will cause you to blink back tears. In addition, the illustrations present a fresh perspective and an authentic visual of some of the scenes in the book.
And let me just add this, this book captures my exact sentiments about driving in Lebanon. It's freaking stressful, maddening, and strenuous. It was also one of my favorite scenes to read about. The author did an excellent job writing about the chaos in Lebanon, but she also managed to balance it out by presenting and highlighting the gems of this country.
I truly recommend this book. If you’re Lebanese, then this book is written in a way that allows you to relate to Kathy’s journey somehow. And if you’re not, then you’ll be introduced to an authentic description of Lebanon and the identity crises that we Lebanese all go through.
Life as a Leb-neh Lover is the first English book, that I have ever read, directed towards a Lebanese audience. And I was really impressed. Really.
I went in expecting a fluffy and cheesy book that would make me cringe as I read it. Instead, I found myself reading a fluffy, yet truthful and spot-on depiction of Lebanon and the Lebanese who stay there or decide to leave. This book portrays Kathy’s journey of self-discovery as she goes back and forth from Lebanon, the United States, and to France.
Since I am a “Lebanese-ish” girl as well, I found Kathy’s conflicting emotions and feelings towards Lebanon truly relatable. For the first time ever, I was able to read about someone else struggle to belong to their country, just like I do. The saying goes… I’m too Lebanese to be a foreigner, yet I’m too foreign to be a Lebanese.
This book was a delight to read. The writing is very simple, and the text is composed of short entries (since they were originally blog posts). Thus, Life as a Leb-neh Lover becomes a very easy and light read. It contains various topics and genres of writing from anecdotes to poetry. Some parts will cause you to laugh and some will cause you to blink back tears. In addition, the illustrations present a fresh perspective and an authentic visual of some of the scenes in the book.
And let me just add this, this book captures my exact sentiments about driving in Lebanon. It's freaking stressful, maddening, and strenuous. It was also one of my favorite scenes to read about. The author did an excellent job writing about the chaos in Lebanon, but she also managed to balance it out by presenting and highlighting the gems of this country.
I truly recommend this book. If you’re Lebanese, then this book is written in a way that allows you to relate to Kathy’s journey somehow. And if you’re not, then you’ll be introduced to an authentic description of Lebanon and the identity crises that we Lebanese all go through.
May 11, 2013
I can definitely relate to this novel and author. This is almost exactly like what my perspective of Lebanon/America is, except for I lived in the US all my life and moved to Lebanon; whereas she lived in Lebanon and moved to the US.
As I am reading this book, I can relate to everything that she talks about. Whether it is the organization and neat lines at the grocery store, mechanic, or airport in the US, I can relate to it because I noticed the same changes in cultures and countries once I moved to Lebanon.
The main character is also around my age, going to college and preparing for life on her own (this gives me some inspiration to focus and be determined to be on my own, responsible and wanting to succeed for my family and fiends in the US and Lebanon.
This is an amazing book so far; possibly one of the best I've read in a while!
As I am reading this book, I can relate to everything that she talks about. Whether it is the organization and neat lines at the grocery store, mechanic, or airport in the US, I can relate to it because I noticed the same changes in cultures and countries once I moved to Lebanon.
The main character is also around my age, going to college and preparing for life on her own (this gives me some inspiration to focus and be determined to be on my own, responsible and wanting to succeed for my family and fiends in the US and Lebanon.
This is an amazing book so far; possibly one of the best I've read in a while!
January 4, 2014
One of the books that I recommend reading, you will learn a lot about Lebanon and the Lebanese life-style, through the author's real story, and experiences.
The author, used a simple language, you may finish the book in less than a day, if you are a fast reader or a day and a half, if you are a bit slow.
One thing also I loved about this book, is the beautiful graphics nicely done, and placed.
I was lucky to attend Kathy Shalhoub's creative talk at #MORETalks such a lovely and humble lady.... :-)
Enjoy reading (Life As A LEB-NEH Lover) by Kathy Shalhoub, and share your review.
The author, used a simple language, you may finish the book in less than a day, if you are a fast reader or a day and a half, if you are a bit slow.
One thing also I loved about this book, is the beautiful graphics nicely done, and placed.
I was lucky to attend Kathy Shalhoub's creative talk at #MORETalks such a lovely and humble lady.... :-)
Enjoy reading (Life As A LEB-NEH Lover) by Kathy Shalhoub, and share your review.
December 6, 2013
@kathyshalhoub LOVED YOUR BOOK! Finished it before even had time to put it on Goodreads. It's so wonderful to enjoy a person's company yet enjoy reading her books at the same time. I hope it turns into a movie!!! I look forward to reading from you more ;)
April 3, 2013
I loved it, it's something related to all of us migrating and even living in the beloved Lebanon !!! after meeting Kathy in person, i found out that you can't but love her book :)
August 14, 2012
Very recognisable
October 27, 2016
Most Lebanese can relate to such an identity crisis.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews