Honest

by Mohamed Ghazi

"He played with her heart,
the saddest song you ever heard."

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but this book is not a “love story”. It is just a very small square in the enormous circle that connects us all.

I am the story.
I am the poems.
And you are my muse.

Genres: Poetry, Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

187 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2015

About the author

Mohamed Ghazi is an author whose writing inhabits the quiet, uncomfortable spaces most people avoid. His work explores raw, unfiltered emotion—love, isolation, regret, and the slow resilience required to endure them. He has been writing since 2006, shaped by a deep admiration for Charles Bukowski’s unapologetic honesty and a lifelong need to tell the truth as it is felt, not softened.
He has published six books—Honest, Half Pleasure Half Pain, Blue, Death and Other Beautiful Things, Winter, and his latest work, I Wanted to Live. Through poetry and prose, Mohamed invites readers into intimate reflections on longing, missed chances, and the quiet ache of wanting more from life while standing in your own way. His writing does not offer easy answers. It offers recognition. A mirror. And sometimes, a moment of shared silence.

Reviews

[Maha Owaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note that I don't like or read anything from a local author, since everyone is a writer now. But "Honest" by Mohamed Ghazi was an exception because and to be honest I really liked the cover. I opened the book and I just couldn't stop reading until I was torn in tears. The story is not new but the words are strong. The poetry is every stronger and I just loved everything about the book.
We need more authors like Mohamed here and I need more books from Mohamed.
Thank you for the hurtful journey of Honest. Wish you all the best.

[Jinan Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by my friend and I wasn't excited but he kept telling me to try it so I ordered it. And this is basically sums all the things I want to say.

This is a piece of art. Congratulations to the author and thank you

[Nado Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried not to like this book.
I tried.
But damn

My emotions have been played well. Great freaking book.

[Abdullah · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) A lot of people were raving about this and hyping it up so I really had high expectation for the book.2) I bought this book yesterday and finished it in one sitting, and After reading reviews about the book I upped the rating from 3 stars to 4 stars on goodreads. 3)The book is written in poems and normal paragraphs. 4)Weirdly I found this book very relatable. 5)I love love quotable writing and this is definitely a book worth quoting, I wanted to highlight a lot of stuff but I was too afraid I was going to ruin the book with its pretty illustrations. This book reminded me a lot of Lang Leav writing/books but each has their own differentiates.
I hoped you guys liked this messy review

[Rita Radi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Honest" is a book that will take you to a hurtful journey through love and misadventure. I finished the book in exactly two days because I couldn't put it down. The structure of the book is so smart it keeps you attached till the end. The poems are deep enough to let you think and sink. The story is well structured too. What I didn't like about the book is the sadness and sombreness within the pages. It's good to be sad but too much sadness hurts. I would prefer a better ending. More detailed maybe. I got attached to the main character. I really did. Good job.

[Hessa Fahad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, this book made me cry. I had to put it down for like 10 mins because WHYY like Jason WHY WOULD SHE FAKE A CANCER YOU TWO CROSSED ROADS WITH EAH OTHER SHE DIDNT HAVE ANY HAIR WOULD SHE PLUCK HER HAIR OUT?! The way she thinks, oh my god she made me cry this whole thing it's just too much for me to handle and the writing, oh the writing is so beautifully written I need a moment to cry again. And THE BOOK COVER PEOPLE HAVE YOU SEEN HOW BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF ART IT IS?!?! Okay Hessa calm down it's just a book that made you cry and have some feelings it's okay, it's okay!

[Zeina J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest(no pun intended), when I picked this book up from Jareer, I was expecting it to be a good book, just good. And this is because when I pick up a book I want to read for whatever reason, I don't set my expectations very highly so I won't be disappointed at the end. Not that I do not appreciate all authors, their ideas, and ways of thinking, it's just that this is my mindset for when I start reading a book. I don't expect too much so I won't get disappointed. With Honest by Mohamed Ghazi, I was definitely content and satisfied with the book. First of all, I love how the sections of the book are divided by time periods, I think it's an elegant touch. Secondly, the fact that there are poems in the book, just keeps me on my feet, and I wanna read more (sadly the book isn't the longest you'll read and I finished it in an hour and a half). Drawings also accompany some pages of the book and I think that is just beautiful. You can't say they are major visuals, but they are pleasant to the eyes. The plot is quite intriguing ( at least to me it is). Moving on to the characters, I think Honest, the protagonist, is someone we can all relate to in one way or another. Her personality is also a part as to why I was on my feet when I was reading the book. Now I don't want to spoil the book for you, but something Honest taught me was: yes, your past can trouble you for a while, but it is certain that it is very possible, that you can twist your life around to the better, regardless of all the heartbreaks, disappointments, and broken friendships.

[Sara Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay before I start with this, can we please talk about how beautiful the cover is? Absolutely love it.
Jumping to the actual context now.
As I was reading along, I couldn't help but imagine Honest typing those poem interpretations into her laptop, or spilling them on paper. I think it was really nice of Mohamed Ghazi to deliver this story in both poems and a script.
Some parts were reeeeeally good, others were meh, okay.
The resolution was the hero in my opinion. Loved it.
And oh yeah, this book is so quotable!
3.5 stars. Job well done Ghazi.

[Shoshi Rida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how dark is this book. Dark and deep and twisted.
I can relate to Honest in so many ways I cried a lot in Chapter 4 and 5 and 6.
Good job to the writer although I don't know but I would love to read more

[Batool Alsalman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book
It was such a relatable book with all the beautifully written quotes and creative drawings..
I finished it in one sitting that's how good it is
And I'm extremely proud that it's a local written book as well.

[Norah Al-Tararwah · Rating 5 out of 5]

- really liked how it was structured.
- not many people would find it relatable.
- it gave me new perspectives.
- a very short and light read.
- lovely illustrations. (I'm kinda obsessed lol)
- it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea.
(Is this even a review?)

[Zaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing on so many levels I couldn't stop crying
I felt so many things all at the same time
I couldn't believe it is an Arab writer. Good job really.
This book will be remembered forver

[Jasmine Abd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just ....

I finished it in one day and cried myself to sleep. So much emotions. I'm starting a Jason hate-cluub.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly beautiful. I loved the poems so much. Can't wait for future books.

[MeltemSultan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm Honest.
A melancholy soul.
Longing to belong to someone."

This is pretty much enough of a synopsis as to what to expect.
However, the already given synopsis is breathtaking and is what really induced me into buying this book. The back and the cover was a siren, drawing me in and so I ordered it right away. (even though its just been sitting on my bookshelf ever since; until I decided to read it yesterday that is)

okay, most of what Honest says, are things that we have all thought/felt at what point or another & so you could really relate and from sympathy if not empathy with the character.
But sometimes she was driving me crazy. No one should ever be that infatuated with another person to the point of surviving on them and only them. Why compromise yourself? You're all you have. Now im not saying that what Jason did was her fault. He's just a narcissistic asshole who can only think of the outcomes affect if it benefits him. Move on. No one deserves to be with someone like that. Actually re-phrase that. Someone like that doesn't deserve love nor affection from anyone.

Since this is the spoiler section, Im just gonna say it. Jason's a DICK. He's a manipulator. He caresses you and tries to help you cope through whatever it is youre going through. Then just goes and rips off the band aid. Kinda like my first experience getting my legs waxed. Warm up the wax with your hands then BAM! youre skin is on fire and you wanna punch the living shit out of someone. Except Honest, just sorta.... begs him to take her back everytime. Each time he hurts her or "rips off the bandaid", shes there to apply the neosporin... too bad its not on herself.
He manipulates her, he hurts her but then does some sweet/romantic gesture and even you as the reader are all "Aw hes not so bad" then RIP, another bandaid.

Perhaps because Ive never been in love, Honest felt so needy. No one should rely on another for all their happiness. You gotta leave room for yourself.

Although it was very well constructed and written. None of the quotes quite sufficed after the quote on the back of the book. I was obsessed with it. Was hell-bent on finding another to love and admire as much, but it just fell short.
Some places had such cliche lines, I felt my eyes rolling & I couldnt even stop it. Others had beautiful entries but again, nothing really sufficed after the hype I created on how many more lines compared to the one I was so fond of:
He played with her heart,
the saddest song you ever heard."

[Al-Danah Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story lacks a plot. If I explain it to you I would spoil the whole book, so I won’t. The book is more about feelings and beliefs rather than a specific plot. The plot was cliché and unoriginal, though, that shouldn’t stop you from reading the book. The structure of the book is quite odd but unique. The pages are categorized into six chapters, in which each chapter is dedicated to the period before, after or during a specific event. In each chapter one or at most two pages are devoted to a specific day. The page can be a couple of paragraphs or a poem about how she interacted with someone or a precise emotion she had that day. I love that because to be honest (I’m punny) I didn’t enjoy all the entries and when that was the case that specific entry did not affect the rest of the book. The short journal entries left you with only the important facts and feeling so this allows your imagination the ability to run wild. The writing itself is simple yet beautiful. I love how the author managed to summarize a philosophy or belief into a sentence.

[Maryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

good god, this man is good at poetry. i absolutely loved the poems in this. some were meh but most were really really good. the regular text, however, felt stiff. though it was full of emotions, i felt distant from honest, which was weird because the poems were absolutely blooming with life. i guess Ghazi is just better at poetry.
i like the ending, it was nice.
also, i felt like the characters could use more depth. only honest felt 'real'. everyone else was extremely flat.


all in all, 5 out of 5 for the poetry,
3 out of 5 for everything else.
so that's an average of four stars.

[Aisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a 21st century book, writing-quality-wise it's good. Some parts blew me away but other parts felt like everyday conversation, they were not given the chance to be symbolic, metaphorical, hyperbolic or special for that matter so you might feel like the book is lacking something. However, the book contains exquisite examples of the devices mentioned above and much more, the only fault is that this does not apply to every part of the book. With that being said, I hate how Honest got cancer. It was predictable. Nevertheless, I really loved how her cancer was analogous to Jason. It's so clever how Jason actually means healer in ancient greek (learned that a few days ago lol) but he was the one who gave her cancer, he killed her and his name is so ironic but Jason also healed her, the heart break he caused her led her to finding her mother and therefore her self as well. It helped her heal from the miserable life she has been leading ever since her mother died. It's also worth noting that her name is honest and Jason was anything but honest to Honest, this reinforces the opposites attract theory. Moreover, I found this book really confusing because I kept feeling different things at times I felt like "aww" and at others "you're overreacting" and sometimes "this is cruel" also sometimes I felt nothing. Jason was the hero but then he was antagonized. Honest was obsessive but the book ended on a positive note. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I also didn't like how events transitioned so quickly but maybe it's Ghazi's way of implying that life is fast and nothing lasts forever, especially not love with the wrong person. I also find it really interesting how us as humans chase after those who don't love us and they chase after those who don't love them. For example, Honest loved Jason too much but her love was not reciprocated because Jason was after Haven- WHO ALSO DID NOT WANT JASON. But Jason was cruel though. Ghazi did a perfect job at antagonizing him. I was really pissed when he told Honest that he was not going to give her a reason for breaking up with her, even though he did. And his poem about her-WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?- outrageous lies! I think we can all learn from this book to keep our eyes open.

[Alya AlShaibani · Rating 1 out of 5]

what genre is this supposed to belong to? it felt like a mix of "contemporary poetry", diary entries, and parts of horrible YA novel.

this desperately needed to go through an editor before being published. syntax is a bit odd at times. sentence structure was often poor. grammar is off sometimes.a piece goes from 9th grade essay style to expressive without any form of transition which is annoying quite frankly.

i understand the writer's contemplations, and i appreciate them, having gone through some similar circumstances, but not having someone edit this or even give him advice on how to improve was not his brightest idea. this would have been nice had he established his style.

0.5 stars for the acceptable poems that popped up every once in a while.

[Norankaz Kathem · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something so weird about this author. He managed to play with every emotion I have. This little book broke me into pieces. I left the book on my shelf, and for the first time in very long time I felt like an emotional mess. The best thing about this book is the way the author wrote it. So real and so simple. The way the story merges with the poems. He delivered a "love story" in the real terms. Not the stupid one you always read and hear about. No this is not a "love story", this is a "true story".
I will give this book 4.5 stars, but 5 stars since it's his first try in writing :) I would love to read more of his writings.

[FJO · Rating 4 out of 5]

What grabs my attention first was the structure of the book. It is set in a frame that was cohesively done no to bore you!

I loved the analogy in the poetry. Its not your typical read.

The author portrays deep emotions and the book does play on a gloomy melody.
Nevertheless, well written and well put.

[Meems87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much. Deep words in a wonderful light read. Hope to read more from the same author. LOVED THE MIX BETWEEN ART AND WORDS. LOVED THE COVER.

[Sara Alali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book!
I cried half through it. 5/5

[S_pineapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very smooth, and easy to read. Very relatable, a slice of life. I might have gone critique about where this is going to happen, predictable kind of. But I can't deny how I loved The quotes, many!

[FKBurashed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its beyond beautiful, I love the fact that it’s poetry but in a novel way.
This book made me smile, sad and furious. It has both the quality and quantity side of it, it’s relatable at least to me and anyone that once fell in love. Thanks Mohamed ❤️

[Farah L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, it is so so overrated. The book contradicts itself way too often that i struggle to understand how barely anyone has noticed. For ex. (not a spoiler or part of book): "i am triggered when talking about x, therefore i wanted to avoid talking about it." , next paragraph is talking about x. If the characher is so triggered by the topic then how are they able to write up 3 pages worth of just elaborating on that? Wouldn't she ATLEAST have a break down in between? Also, it romanticizes things that shouldn't be romanticized; such as emotional pain - that specifically has been stated in the first page of the book. As an arab myself, i really wanted to love this book. Knowing that he is amongst the few arab English writers is what got me to buy the book in the first place but i refuse to sugarcoat my reviews & take critizing lightly on him for that reason.

[Jawaher Husaini Zada · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like 1.5 stars.

I'm sorry, but I did not like the story, at all. The 1.5 stars are for the poetry and the gorgeous cover.

These are some of the reasons why I didn't like it:
- The storyline was weak and all over the place.
- There was no character depth — they felt two dimensional, too flat.
- I didn't get attached.
- I felt no sympathy whatsoever toward the main character.

I think most of the points depend on the fact that the characters had no depth.

But kudos to the author getting his book published and acknowledged. That takes a lot of confidence and effort. And I think Honest was somewhat a decent start.

[Nadia OL · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS THE BEST BOOK I READ IN YEARS.
The author has this way of expressing his feelings that made me cry a couple of times. I LOVED the poetry. I LOVED the story. I LOVED all the words. I loved Honest and Jason and everything. I loved how simple and easy to read is the book. I loved the ending.
THIS BOOK IS PERFECT
10 STARS.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book, its so unique, the words are beautifully written, they really capture you from the first couple of pages, its not like the usual
books that I have read, its different and I love everything about it. I enjoyed each chapter, and the ending of course was heartbreaking, but in a beautiful way.