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But You Don't Look Arab: And Other Tales of Unbelonging
Emmy Award-winning international journalist Hala Gorani weaves stories from her time as a globe-trotting anchor and correspondent with her own lifelong search for identity as the daughter of Syrian immigrants. What is it like to have no clear identity in a world full of labels? How can people find a sense of belonging when they have never felt part of a “tribe?” And how does a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman who’s never lived in the Middle East honor her Arab Muslim ancestry and displaced family—a family forced to scatter when their home country was torn apart by war?
Hala Gorani’s path to self-discovery started the moment she could understand that she was “other” wherever she found herself to be. Born of Syrian parents in America and raised mainly in France, she didn’t feel at home in Aleppo, Seattle, Paris, or London. She is a citizen of everywhere and nowhere. And like many journalists who’ve covered wars and conflicts, she felt most at home on the ground reporting and in front of the camera.
As a journalist, Gorani has traveled to some of the most dangerous places in the world, covering the Arab Spring in Cairo and the Syrian civil war, reporting on suicide bombers in Beirut and the chemical attacks in Damascus, watching the growth of ISIS and the war in Iraq—sometimes escaping with her life by a hair. But through it all, she came to understand that finding herself meant not only looking inward, but tracing a long family history of uprooted ancestors. From the courts of Ottoman Empire sultans through the stories of the citizens from her home country and other places torn apart by unrest, But You Don’t Look Arab combines Gorani’s family history with rigorous reporting, explaining—and most importantly, humanizing—the constant upheavals in the Middle East over the last century.
Hala Gorani’s path to self-discovery started the moment she could understand that she was “other” wherever she found herself to be. Born of Syrian parents in America and raised mainly in France, she didn’t feel at home in Aleppo, Seattle, Paris, or London. She is a citizen of everywhere and nowhere. And like many journalists who’ve covered wars and conflicts, she felt most at home on the ground reporting and in front of the camera.
As a journalist, Gorani has traveled to some of the most dangerous places in the world, covering the Arab Spring in Cairo and the Syrian civil war, reporting on suicide bombers in Beirut and the chemical attacks in Damascus, watching the growth of ISIS and the war in Iraq—sometimes escaping with her life by a hair. But through it all, she came to understand that finding herself meant not only looking inward, but tracing a long family history of uprooted ancestors. From the courts of Ottoman Empire sultans through the stories of the citizens from her home country and other places torn apart by unrest, But You Don’t Look Arab combines Gorani’s family history with rigorous reporting, explaining—and most importantly, humanizing—the constant upheavals in the Middle East over the last century.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published February 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 6, 2025
The world of journalism is a harsh place, especially for women, and even more so for women of color. But what if you are a woman of color that is white passing? What does it mean to be Syrian? What does it mean to be Syrian American? What does it mean to be praised for your nonconforming Arab looks?
The entire world falls under the white male gaze. This memoir, which is really a collection of essays, begins with Hala's ancestor being kidnapped from her home and sent as a concubine to modern day Syria. Through this woman, and after her, her descendants don't look so typically Middle Eastern.
(Hala herself uses the term Middle East, which is a colonial term. The more generally accepted term these days is SWANA.)
In her career, Hala uses her mother's surname Gorani, which sounds vaguely Italian, instead of her father's more ethnically recognizable Basha. The reasons for this are obvious. When applying for posts in France, one of her adopted countries, she found more success with this, adding a photo to her CV, and removing Arabic as a language she spoke.
I don't tie women's value to early marriage and motherhood. I find it admirable that Hala advanced through her career worrying about neither. She married for the first time in her mid-forties and never had children.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read about an American woman I wasn't familiar with. The news is a somewhat untrustworthy and depressing place, but I'll keep an eye out for anything featuring Hala. I have a feeling I'd like her in person.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books
The entire world falls under the white male gaze. This memoir, which is really a collection of essays, begins with Hala's ancestor being kidnapped from her home and sent as a concubine to modern day Syria. Through this woman, and after her, her descendants don't look so typically Middle Eastern.
(Hala herself uses the term Middle East, which is a colonial term. The more generally accepted term these days is SWANA.)
In her career, Hala uses her mother's surname Gorani, which sounds vaguely Italian, instead of her father's more ethnically recognizable Basha. The reasons for this are obvious. When applying for posts in France, one of her adopted countries, she found more success with this, adding a photo to her CV, and removing Arabic as a language she spoke.
I don't tie women's value to early marriage and motherhood. I find it admirable that Hala advanced through her career worrying about neither. She married for the first time in her mid-forties and never had children.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read about an American woman I wasn't familiar with. The news is a somewhat untrustworthy and depressing place, but I'll keep an eye out for anything featuring Hala. I have a feeling I'd like her in person.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books
September 2, 2023
I didn't know Gorani's work before this book. I'm happy to have read it and really enjoyed getting to know her first hand account of international journalism in the "crazy" world we live in. I believe it takes a brave soul to do this work and Gorani does it well. That section of the book was my favorite. The first part is full of the history and origin story of her family. While very in=depth and interesting the second half appealed to me more as a former journalism major. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars for this look at what it feels like to not fit in and wonder about where you belong.
September 2, 2023
Hala Gorani's captivating, hard to put down, memoir left me feeling impressed and inspired.
The first section of the book describes the story of Ms. Gorani's family from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present in the context of the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire and Syria. Ms. Gorani's concise writing style enabled her to cover many years and family members in a compelling way. I learned a wealth of history and the context of modern events in the Middle East as I read this book.
Throughout the book, Gorani shares her feelings of not belonging because of her Syrian descent, US birth, upbringing in France, light skin and "Arab sounding" name. As a young woman applying for jobs she was struggling until she shortened her name from Hala Basha-Gorani to Hala Gorani and removed Arabic speaking from her resume. Although she describes this as an abject decision, Gorani navigates racism and sexism with pragmatism, grace and elegance throughout her distinguished career. I feel that this poignant memoir will serve as an inspiration to those feeling a lack of belonging and a good lesson for those in positions of privilege.
The second half of the book describes Ms. Gorani's impressive career as a journalist which includes several incredible experiences covering big stories across the globe culminating in a career highlight of anchoring her own news show on CNN, Hala Gorani Tonight. The book is organized by geography and is not in chronological order. I would advise readers to pay attention to the date at the start of each section.
In April 2022 Ms. Gorani made the brave decision to take a sabbatical year, stepping away from her anchor role at CNN. During this year she took the time to write this phenomenal memoir. As a middle aged woman, I am very inspired by Ms. Gorani and how she has navigated her life thus far. I am excited to see what comes next for this remarkable woman!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The first section of the book describes the story of Ms. Gorani's family from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present in the context of the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire and Syria. Ms. Gorani's concise writing style enabled her to cover many years and family members in a compelling way. I learned a wealth of history and the context of modern events in the Middle East as I read this book.
Throughout the book, Gorani shares her feelings of not belonging because of her Syrian descent, US birth, upbringing in France, light skin and "Arab sounding" name. As a young woman applying for jobs she was struggling until she shortened her name from Hala Basha-Gorani to Hala Gorani and removed Arabic speaking from her resume. Although she describes this as an abject decision, Gorani navigates racism and sexism with pragmatism, grace and elegance throughout her distinguished career. I feel that this poignant memoir will serve as an inspiration to those feeling a lack of belonging and a good lesson for those in positions of privilege.
The second half of the book describes Ms. Gorani's impressive career as a journalist which includes several incredible experiences covering big stories across the globe culminating in a career highlight of anchoring her own news show on CNN, Hala Gorani Tonight. The book is organized by geography and is not in chronological order. I would advise readers to pay attention to the date at the start of each section.
In April 2022 Ms. Gorani made the brave decision to take a sabbatical year, stepping away from her anchor role at CNN. During this year she took the time to write this phenomenal memoir. As a middle aged woman, I am very inspired by Ms. Gorani and how she has navigated her life thus far. I am excited to see what comes next for this remarkable woman!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2024
It took me a few chapters to get into the book. The “tales” part e.g. jumping back and forth in time is something I found annoying. However I loved reading about Hala’s journey in journalism, how her Arab background and international background shaped her. And definitely also how she experienced not finding a partner until in her forties and her feelings about being childless.
I should’ve become a journalist myself…
One of my favourite quotes;
“We are told to be more aggressive, only to be punished when we are. We are told to say no, only to be described as uncooperative when we do.” Page 153
I should’ve become a journalist myself…
One of my favourite quotes;
“We are told to be more aggressive, only to be punished when we are. We are told to say no, only to be described as uncooperative when we do.” Page 153
July 7, 2025
For many years, I had been following Hala Gorani on CNN and was always mesmerised at her flawless french and the clear American English, so I often wondered about her background and origin. It has been lovely reading her memoire from snippets of her family history dating to the Istanbul of the Ottoman Empire to Aleppo in Syria, then the move to Paris and later on living in the US again and London,. Her walk of life and how she struggled to find some form of home and belonging as she was moving places and covering different stories across the world. The manner in which she describes the breaking news in action, her reflection of the people she interviewed, her thoughts on the place itself - i found it very insightful. The harsh world of journalism, especially on women and notably those that do look or are different than the mainstream - it was all ironic as her feelings of inadequacy never transpired on screen and i always viewed her with awe.
Overall, this memoire and her reflections throughout have resonated quite much with me. I guess it is linked to my reality of being an expat, working in a multicultural environment, and raising a multilingual family. It's definitely worth reading...
The only reflection that I didn't agree with Gorani is when she compared the reception that most Europeans had for Ukrainian refugees to the colder and mistrust reception given to Syrian immigrants and labelled it down to being arabs. I think she missed the geopolitical moment that these events have happened and that for most of Europeans, the Russian war over Ukraine triggered moments of the not yet forgotten recent past etc.
Overall, this memoire and her reflections throughout have resonated quite much with me. I guess it is linked to my reality of being an expat, working in a multicultural environment, and raising a multilingual family. It's definitely worth reading...
The only reflection that I didn't agree with Gorani is when she compared the reception that most Europeans had for Ukrainian refugees to the colder and mistrust reception given to Syrian immigrants and labelled it down to being arabs. I think she missed the geopolitical moment that these events have happened and that for most of Europeans, the Russian war over Ukraine triggered moments of the not yet forgotten recent past etc.
May 2, 2024
The family story behind a great journalist that not only knows how to do excellent journalism, but deeply understands the importance of her family's influence in her job.
A beautiful and inner perspective about how the Middle East has evolved in the latest years and how important it is to be "there" in order to tell a story.
Hala, thank you!
A beautiful and inner perspective about how the Middle East has evolved in the latest years and how important it is to be "there" in order to tell a story.
Hala, thank you!
June 5, 2024
I just finished the book by Hala Gorani, But You Don’t Look Arab
Since I worked for CNN for about 15 years, I thought the book would take me into the behind the scenes of some of the biggest stories and events, which it did at some points, but what was more interesting is the question of identity, where do we belong, who are we, how do we define ourselves, what is home… and many questions that I personally struggled with.
Hala had one answer to all those question: it’s not the country or a passport that defines you, it’s not the city, ethnicity, religion that tells the world who you are. It’s YOU who can put that definition, and in today’s world, this identity is very fluid, and that’s absolutely fine.
I specifically liked the part where Hala talks about her Arab roots as a bonus in her work, defying all efforts to stereotype Arabs in a negative context.
If you are a journalist it’s important to read a story about looking for stories, but more important, if you are a lost soul between different identities this book is for you.
Since I worked for CNN for about 15 years, I thought the book would take me into the behind the scenes of some of the biggest stories and events, which it did at some points, but what was more interesting is the question of identity, where do we belong, who are we, how do we define ourselves, what is home… and many questions that I personally struggled with.
Hala had one answer to all those question: it’s not the country or a passport that defines you, it’s not the city, ethnicity, religion that tells the world who you are. It’s YOU who can put that definition, and in today’s world, this identity is very fluid, and that’s absolutely fine.
I specifically liked the part where Hala talks about her Arab roots as a bonus in her work, defying all efforts to stereotype Arabs in a negative context.
If you are a journalist it’s important to read a story about looking for stories, but more important, if you are a lost soul between different identities this book is for you.
July 25, 2025
“You Don’t Look Arab” is a powerful, personal, and incredibly relatable read—especially for Arab Americans who’ve had to navigate complex identities across cultures
July 9, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the Hala’s narration of her book. It’s a fast read that is rich, informative, and personable. Perhaps having similar roots and a relatable experience of evolving identities and pondering belonging made this book particularly enjoyable for me.
May 4, 2025
This book was appealing to me as someone interested in both the Middle East and journalism. I really liked hearing Hala’s family history and her thoughts on recent crises in the Middle East. I learned a bit about the region which is what I wanted. My biggest gripe was the format. I wish the stories had been told in chronological order instead of place by place. It was difficult to follow along this way.
Read
January 18, 2024Dnf @ 33%
1. More about her journalism career than “belonging”/“unbelonging”
2. The reporting reads like wiki summaries of Middle East politics
3. The writing is very matter-of-fact and I couldn’t feel her “passion”—why does she want to be a journalist? Why report the Middle East? How does her Syrian background affect her career? Maybe these questions will be answered later but I ran out of patience 🥲
1. More about her journalism career than “belonging”/“unbelonging”
2. The reporting reads like wiki summaries of Middle East politics
3. The writing is very matter-of-fact and I couldn’t feel her “passion”—why does she want to be a journalist? Why report the Middle East? How does her Syrian background affect her career? Maybe these questions will be answered later but I ran out of patience 🥲
February 15, 2025
I was attracted to the book by its author, Ms. Gorani. Many Syrians were familiar with her and were undoubtedly proud to watch her on CNN International. Additionally, I am from Aleppo, and Ms. Gorani’s family originates from that city. Not surprisingly I experienced a surge of excitement and was eagerly anticipating to delve into her book.
The book contains numerous captivating narratives that I found enjoyable. However, upon completing it, I felt little deceived. This book does not explore the experiences of an Arab in the West or beyond. It does not offer a unique perspective on the world. Instead, it presents a worldview of an American/French journalist/news anchor. Consequently, this book contributes nothing novel. Even within the book, Ms. Gorani repeatedly expresses her desire to be “French” and how the world perceives her as “American.” There is a lack of substance regarding being “Arab.” Even in the audiobook, narrated flawlessly by Ms. Gorani in flawless American English, she pronounces French words accurately, but, at least in the audiobook, her Arabic is heavily accented, rendering it difficult for an Syrian Arab like me to identify her as one.
Ms Gorani you don’t look Arab simply because you ain’t one.
The book contains numerous captivating narratives that I found enjoyable. However, upon completing it, I felt little deceived. This book does not explore the experiences of an Arab in the West or beyond. It does not offer a unique perspective on the world. Instead, it presents a worldview of an American/French journalist/news anchor. Consequently, this book contributes nothing novel. Even within the book, Ms. Gorani repeatedly expresses her desire to be “French” and how the world perceives her as “American.” There is a lack of substance regarding being “Arab.” Even in the audiobook, narrated flawlessly by Ms. Gorani in flawless American English, she pronounces French words accurately, but, at least in the audiobook, her Arabic is heavily accented, rendering it difficult for an Syrian Arab like me to identify her as one.
Ms Gorani you don’t look Arab simply because you ain’t one.
November 1, 2023
I was really looking forward to this book but it wasn't quite what I expected. There were parts that I really liked, for example, the information about the earthquake in Haiti and some of the background information about her family and their history, but overall I found it a little too information heavy about things that I wasn't overly interested in. For example, at some point I felt like the amount of detail about her great great grandmother's life was a bit too much. There is nothing really wrong with the book, it just couldn't hold my interest.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this one.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this one.
March 18, 2024
I had expected this book to be more of an exploration of being Arab and working for an American news organization (dominated by white journalists). But sadly those were far and few in between. It’s just another journalistic memoir that I probably wouldn’t have picked up if not for my misplaced expectation. Don’t recommend, unless you are getting for free from a library or something.
March 9, 2024
I had never heard of the author but the title got my attention. I had friends in college who explained to me about certain tropes that I was unfamiliar with of a Facebook group that was named something like "For Desis who look Arab and Arabs who look like Desis" in how dark someone's skin color is could have them mistaken for a different group (and indeed, my friends said they were mistaken for being other ethnicities than they were). I thought of them when seeing this title and what it might mean for someone like Gorani.
Gorani explores her life in essay form, weaving back and forth in time at various times and places. How she did not feel at home anywhere, and how she covered some of the most deadly conflicts and warzones. And in between exploring her family's history and tracing the path down through her today.
I initially had really high hopes for the book, where it talked about an ancestor who was kidnapped at too young an age to become a concubine and having either very little or no memory of her family and actual home and then tracing her lineage throughout the centuries. But I could understand the disappointment and negative reviews: it's really more of an essay collection than memoir, and after awhile it becomes less interesting. There is a certain detachment there (perhaps partially due to her never feeling like she was at home anywhere) that was prevalent in the writing.
It felt like a book that either did not know what it wanted to be or it was a book that was mismarketed and/or somewhere along the line the book's goal/framing was changed, etc. Gorani has an interesting story but this felt either very jumbled as a memoir or that it could not quite decide what to focus on: a memoir of her life, her journalism career, thoughts of not belonging, etc.
Ultimately skippable, but I'm sure for the right person it would be a good read. Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
Gorani explores her life in essay form, weaving back and forth in time at various times and places. How she did not feel at home anywhere, and how she covered some of the most deadly conflicts and warzones. And in between exploring her family's history and tracing the path down through her today.
I initially had really high hopes for the book, where it talked about an ancestor who was kidnapped at too young an age to become a concubine and having either very little or no memory of her family and actual home and then tracing her lineage throughout the centuries. But I could understand the disappointment and negative reviews: it's really more of an essay collection than memoir, and after awhile it becomes less interesting. There is a certain detachment there (perhaps partially due to her never feeling like she was at home anywhere) that was prevalent in the writing.
It felt like a book that either did not know what it wanted to be or it was a book that was mismarketed and/or somewhere along the line the book's goal/framing was changed, etc. Gorani has an interesting story but this felt either very jumbled as a memoir or that it could not quite decide what to focus on: a memoir of her life, her journalism career, thoughts of not belonging, etc.
Ultimately skippable, but I'm sure for the right person it would be a good read. Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
October 11, 2023
Hala Gorani's captivating memoir, "But You Don't Look Arab," is a deeply personal and eye-opening journey through her life (with her career stumbles and successes peppered throughout). Through her stories Gorani shows what it feels like to not "belong" anywhere.
What I loved about this memoir, is that it wasn't just a tale of her remarkable career as a CNN reporter/anchor... but also a thought-provoking exploration of identity and belonging in a world filled with labels -- and also how these labels deeply affect the way we walk and present to the world.
She also spends a great deal of time highlighting the perils of being a foreign correspondent and trying to find love, deal with hormonal changes and overall find what truly brings meaning to life.
Hala's concise yet engaging writing style manages to cover generations of her family's history, offering readers a rich understanding of the Middle East's complex and turbulent past. Her ability to intertwine personal stories with historical events provides a new and incredibly interesting perspective on the region.
Her experiences with racism and sexism, especially in the early stages of her career, shed light on the challenges she faced. Hala's pragmatic and graceful approach to overcoming these obstacles is truly inspiring and serves as a valuable lesson for those who encounter similar challenges.
"But You Don't Look Arab" is a must-read for anyone interested in the Middle East, journalism, and the universal quest for identity and belonging. Hala's honest and eloquent storytelling, combined with her rich family history and career experiences, make this book an enlightening and inspiring read.
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved about this memoir, is that it wasn't just a tale of her remarkable career as a CNN reporter/anchor... but also a thought-provoking exploration of identity and belonging in a world filled with labels -- and also how these labels deeply affect the way we walk and present to the world.
She also spends a great deal of time highlighting the perils of being a foreign correspondent and trying to find love, deal with hormonal changes and overall find what truly brings meaning to life.
Hala's concise yet engaging writing style manages to cover generations of her family's history, offering readers a rich understanding of the Middle East's complex and turbulent past. Her ability to intertwine personal stories with historical events provides a new and incredibly interesting perspective on the region.
Her experiences with racism and sexism, especially in the early stages of her career, shed light on the challenges she faced. Hala's pragmatic and graceful approach to overcoming these obstacles is truly inspiring and serves as a valuable lesson for those who encounter similar challenges.
"But You Don't Look Arab" is a must-read for anyone interested in the Middle East, journalism, and the universal quest for identity and belonging. Hala's honest and eloquent storytelling, combined with her rich family history and career experiences, make this book an enlightening and inspiring read.
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2024
Hala has written a fascinating book weaving her family history and her personal experiences alongside her career covering important moments of global importance and history.
I will be honest and say I have worked for CNN for years and at times alongside Hala and wanted to read her story more fully- but was very pleased to find-she does a brilliant and intriguing job in her writing, building up her story through a non-linear set of chapters that build up her life and family and her career while covering the news of the day.
She does not shy away from talking about difficult moments in her life as a woman and an Arab woman in a global world that often does not fully respect either. She tells a tale of a family history that starts with unexpected travelling, and leads to Hala's travelling- her family moving from country to country or her moving from place to place for her work- whether she wanted to do so or not. All along the way she takes you through it and explains many of the stories in rich detail which she has covered in the Middle East, Europe and America which still effect us to this day.
As I say she does not hold back on the challenges she has faced along the way both as a woman and and the moments serendipitous or otherwise that have happened- It does serve as a signpost that no matter how self assured people can seem to be that you should never underestimate what is happening behind the scenes with any person. Hala reveals her behind the scenes and much of the behind the scenes of tv news and historic news coverage.
It is a generous and open tapestry which Hala has weaved.
I will be honest and say I have worked for CNN for years and at times alongside Hala and wanted to read her story more fully- but was very pleased to find-she does a brilliant and intriguing job in her writing, building up her story through a non-linear set of chapters that build up her life and family and her career while covering the news of the day.
She does not shy away from talking about difficult moments in her life as a woman and an Arab woman in a global world that often does not fully respect either. She tells a tale of a family history that starts with unexpected travelling, and leads to Hala's travelling- her family moving from country to country or her moving from place to place for her work- whether she wanted to do so or not. All along the way she takes you through it and explains many of the stories in rich detail which she has covered in the Middle East, Europe and America which still effect us to this day.
As I say she does not hold back on the challenges she has faced along the way both as a woman and and the moments serendipitous or otherwise that have happened- It does serve as a signpost that no matter how self assured people can seem to be that you should never underestimate what is happening behind the scenes with any person. Hala reveals her behind the scenes and much of the behind the scenes of tv news and historic news coverage.
It is a generous and open tapestry which Hala has weaved.
June 3, 2025
I rounded down for this book as it was all over the place. It was a mix of journalistic essays and personal narrative. The timeline jumps forward and back constantly through out the book.
The beginning was very interesting when she describes how her relative was captured in the Circassian region and brought to the Harem in Istanbul. There are other chapters that follow her family members as they make their way back to Aleppo and then the diaspora that happened to the more well off people living there.
Mixed into this, were essays discussing her way to journalism and how it was hard for women in general specifically a woman with a foreign sounding name. It also has multiple segments about her sense of needing to find a place where she felt she belonged (usually discussed with her many failed attempts of finding a life partner). There were a lot of essays on journalistic assignments she was on as well. They were interesting, but felt kind of mixed in.
Overall, the title seemed misleading. It should have just been a straight memoir as the reader was left feeling lost after the first few chapters as it didn't seem to continue with the narrative of Arab women can look very different from each other based on the history of the region. Also, some of her facts were incorrect. It wasn't a terrible book, I think it was just marketed incorrectly.
The beginning was very interesting when she describes how her relative was captured in the Circassian region and brought to the Harem in Istanbul. There are other chapters that follow her family members as they make their way back to Aleppo and then the diaspora that happened to the more well off people living there.
Mixed into this, were essays discussing her way to journalism and how it was hard for women in general specifically a woman with a foreign sounding name. It also has multiple segments about her sense of needing to find a place where she felt she belonged (usually discussed with her many failed attempts of finding a life partner). There were a lot of essays on journalistic assignments she was on as well. They were interesting, but felt kind of mixed in.
Overall, the title seemed misleading. It should have just been a straight memoir as the reader was left feeling lost after the first few chapters as it didn't seem to continue with the narrative of Arab women can look very different from each other based on the history of the region. Also, some of her facts were incorrect. It wasn't a terrible book, I think it was just marketed incorrectly.
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March 29, 2024
First and foremost, Hala Gorani's memoir is more about her career as a journalist and her lack of belonging than about being her background and feelings of not belonging. For this reason, I think the title of the book is a little misleading however I still liked it.
Told through essays covering different periods of Gorani's life, you'll see a bit about her ancestors, the effects her parents divorce and subsequent moving had on her, her experience breaking into journalism and her time with CNN International. I actually liked the essays where she focused on her struggles to find her footing in journalism which she often attributed to her lack of social suaveness. As someone who can relate to that feeling, I felt connected to Gorani. She also had essays about romantic partners over her lifetime and it helped add into the layers of who she became and how she was changed after her parents divorce.
Overall I thought But You Don't Look Arab was an easy and fast read, that was both relevant and poignant. I would have liked to see more essays about her career in journalism and I think focusing on her background in a different book may a better route because there just wasn't enough in this one.
Thanks to Hachette Books for the gifted ARC!
Told through essays covering different periods of Gorani's life, you'll see a bit about her ancestors, the effects her parents divorce and subsequent moving had on her, her experience breaking into journalism and her time with CNN International. I actually liked the essays where she focused on her struggles to find her footing in journalism which she often attributed to her lack of social suaveness. As someone who can relate to that feeling, I felt connected to Gorani. She also had essays about romantic partners over her lifetime and it helped add into the layers of who she became and how she was changed after her parents divorce.
Overall I thought But You Don't Look Arab was an easy and fast read, that was both relevant and poignant. I would have liked to see more essays about her career in journalism and I think focusing on her background in a different book may a better route because there just wasn't enough in this one.
Thanks to Hachette Books for the gifted ARC!
June 11, 2024
In this remarkable memoir, Hala Gorani takes readers on an insightful journey into the demanding world of journalism. She skillfully navigates the complexities and challenges of competing on an international stage as a woman, providing a compelling perspective on the obstacles and triumphs she has encountered in her illustrious career.
Gorani's narrative is enriched by the colorful and intriguing history of her Syrian family. She unveils fascinating stories of her ancestors, revealing that one of them was raised within the confines of the imperial harem of the Ottoman Empire. This unexpected and riveting aspect of her Syrian heritage adds a unique depth to her memoir, blending personal history with professional experiences in a way that is both enlightening and captivating.
This memoir is not just a deep dive into journalism; it is a testament to the resilience and strength required to succeed in a competitive field, and a celebration of a family's rich and vibrant history. Hala Gorani's storytelling is as dynamic and engaging as the tales she shares, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in journalism, history, or inspiring personal narratives.
I highly recommend it. Beautifully written, a must read.
Gorani's narrative is enriched by the colorful and intriguing history of her Syrian family. She unveils fascinating stories of her ancestors, revealing that one of them was raised within the confines of the imperial harem of the Ottoman Empire. This unexpected and riveting aspect of her Syrian heritage adds a unique depth to her memoir, blending personal history with professional experiences in a way that is both enlightening and captivating.
This memoir is not just a deep dive into journalism; it is a testament to the resilience and strength required to succeed in a competitive field, and a celebration of a family's rich and vibrant history. Hala Gorani's storytelling is as dynamic and engaging as the tales she shares, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in journalism, history, or inspiring personal narratives.
I highly recommend it. Beautifully written, a must read.
September 9, 2025
I had bought this book as a pre-sale several months ago and was so excited to get it. When it came I just admired the cover and set it on my coffee table to get to when I had a moment to give the book my all. I love Hala Gotani and have always looked up to her - she is Syrian-American, like me. She worked in war zones, like me. She reported on war zones I was in. She had to work/speak on Syrian war, just as I had to at work while also feeling the war deep in our heart. Reading about her feelings of unbelonging felt like I was talking to myself. Her feelings of sadness as she saw Syria fall apart, felt like I was talking to myself.
This book meant so much to me that I kept trying to read it, it would strike a chord in me and I would stop… and keep it on my coffee table. Then I would start again and another chord struck. It took many tries to get myself into the zone. I think I just needed to sit with her statements, her feelings and reflect on ny own similar feelings and situation.
This is a book I would have loved to talk to my mom and dad about. I want everyone I know to read it, to understand.
Shukran, Hala. I know I am not the only Arab-American female that thinks you are just amazing! You make us so proud. You said exactly what so many of us feel.
This book meant so much to me that I kept trying to read it, it would strike a chord in me and I would stop… and keep it on my coffee table. Then I would start again and another chord struck. It took many tries to get myself into the zone. I think I just needed to sit with her statements, her feelings and reflect on ny own similar feelings and situation.
This is a book I would have loved to talk to my mom and dad about. I want everyone I know to read it, to understand.
Shukran, Hala. I know I am not the only Arab-American female that thinks you are just amazing! You make us so proud. You said exactly what so many of us feel.
April 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book (narrated by Gorani herself). From descriptive accounts of her family’s rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire (on her mother’s side), to Hala’s continent-crossing childhood, to her finding her personal and professional footing over the years. The theme of "unbelonging" flowed throughout. The news nerd in me soaked in the details of her correspondent assignments and her feelings about being an anchor based in studios. She also had poignant thoughts about her long and ultimately successful search for love. My only quibble is that at some points the timeline shifted in what felt like a random order. Just as I was in her professional era she’d swing back to a high school crush; she’d share interesting anecdotes about her time at Bloomberg tv amid stories about covering terror attacks while at CNN. And full disclosure: I briefly worked at CNN but I never met or worked with Hala. After reading this I wish our paths had crossed.
July 25, 2025
I was hopeful for something more insightful. This book read like an extended news broadcast with personal tid-bits sprinkled in. The personal tid-bits didn’t add to much value in my opinion. One moment she’s talking about violence and terrorist bombings and the next she’s talking about getting attached to some player on a balacony in Turkey. I found her work incohesive. She appeared to have a unique and diverse perspective and I wish there was deeper insight to the pyschology of meshing of different cultures and the causes of global conflict. Instead, I got a flat story line that read: I don’t fit in, I experienced sexism in my job, war and bombings, then I got a really good job, more war and bombings. The insight was a deep as that of a new reporter, but as an author I wish there had been more.
I also don’t think the author had much insight into her own psychological self. Maybe that’s why her perspective was flat.
I also don’t think the author had much insight into her own psychological self. Maybe that’s why her perspective was flat.
May 14, 2024
Resonates, inspires, nourishes, heals,...
The book I've been looking for for years. I would recommend it to every woman on this planet, young and old.
My favorites:
"The problem with coming from nowhere and everywhere is that no matter how people desribe you, even if they show tremendous goodwill and curiosity, you still feel mislabeled, misunderstood, sometimes even reduced."
"Early in my career, I tried to showcase my own knowledge rather than elicit the most eliminating answers...Later, and this took many years, I started asking simpler questions and follow-ups that were as straightforward as "I don't understand what you mean. Can you elaborate?" It takes more confidence to ask questions that may sound more elementary rather than fact-laden, complex ones."
The book I've been looking for for years. I would recommend it to every woman on this planet, young and old.
My favorites:
"The problem with coming from nowhere and everywhere is that no matter how people desribe you, even if they show tremendous goodwill and curiosity, you still feel mislabeled, misunderstood, sometimes even reduced."
"Early in my career, I tried to showcase my own knowledge rather than elicit the most eliminating answers...Later, and this took many years, I started asking simpler questions and follow-ups that were as straightforward as "I don't understand what you mean. Can you elaborate?" It takes more confidence to ask questions that may sound more elementary rather than fact-laden, complex ones."
April 4, 2024
Book sixteen of 2024. I’ve been following Syrian-American-French journalist Hala Gorani for quite a while on Instagram and as I’m always interested in people with fascinating backgrounds working in equally fascinating jobs, of course I had to read her book. Her tales of unbelonging range from the history of her maternal family to her career and life. I loved getting insights into her work and although I sometimes struggled a bit with the structure of the book, I’d still highly recommend it not only for those who might identify with said unbelonging.
October 11, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book. The stories Hala recalls from her work as an international journalist were fascinating, and provided perspectives on well known conflicts that are often unseen in western Media. Similarly, the way Hala connects her own journey through identity as a “white presenting” Arab woman, gives such critical language to the diverse diaspora that is the Middle East. She beautifully ties in the history of her own Syrian heritage, which so many Arab Americans can relate to. An excellent read!
December 1, 2024
This was a disappointment. For someone who claims to be from nowhere and everywhere, Hala simply comes across as a CNN person whose perspectives of the world are not shaped by their own experience but rather by a white-laced dominant narrative seeped in the language of the fight against terrorism. The worst part is when she talks about Egypt. Despite visiting a number of times and covering the 2011 revolution, Hala offers nothing in way of substance and makes no attempt to understand what transpired after the 2011 events. If you want the CNN version of world events, pick this one up.
July 12, 2024
Maybe it’s just me who misinterpreted the title, but I was really looking forward to more tales of Hala’s personal life and how she overcame her struggles of unbelonging to establish her self-identity as an Arab and American. This was a collection of essays, mostly focused on her journalism career and the hardships she faced to get to where she is. It was definitely interesting and engaging, just not what I had in mind when I picked it up.
July 29, 2024
"But You Don't Look Arab" is a beautifully written memoir, emotionally charged at every turn of the page and the author has clearly spent a lot of time on research. This is clearly a passion project for Gorani and I highly recommend it as it's rare for an author to be able to shift between history and address such sensitive and emotive issues through the lens of a top foreign correspondent. Excellent read.
April 26, 2025
It was interesting enough, but could have delved more into her positionality as an Arab and her privilege within that non-dominant experience as a white appearing and conventionally attractive woman in global broadcasting.
I don’t feel that I have a complex enough understanding of Arab spring and international Arab uprising to assess the political implications of her assessment of those events and communities.
I don’t feel that I have a complex enough understanding of Arab spring and international Arab uprising to assess the political implications of her assessment of those events and communities.
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