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The Hookah Girl: And Other True Stories
In this current political climate, being a Palestinian is a hazard. However, there are common grounds where East meets West. The Hookah Girl is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel of a childhood as a Christian Palestinian in America. Told in short stories and with narrative ranging from growing up in a refugee family to how to roll waraq (stuffed grape leaves), this book is an account of living in two seemingly different cultures that actually aren’t very different at all.
Marguerite Dabaie is a freelance illustrator and has worked with such organizations as School Library Journal, Mizna, and Just World Books, among others. The Hookah Girl and Other True Stories is her first major comic, and it was awarded two grants. She lives in New York City with her husband, Chris.
Marguerite Dabaie is a freelance illustrator and has worked with such organizations as School Library Journal, Mizna, and Just World Books, among others. The Hookah Girl and Other True Stories is her first major comic, and it was awarded two grants. She lives in New York City with her husband, Chris.
98 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 1, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Dabaie's short stories showcase the character's life growing up as a part of a culture that is really not talked about in the United States. I think everyone could stand to read this book if only to understand another part of the side of the arab-american story. 4.5 stars rounded out to 5
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Dabaie's short stories showcase the character's life growing up as a part of a culture that is really not talked about in the United States. I think everyone could stand to read this book if only to understand another part of the side of the arab-american story. 4.5 stars rounded out to 5
June 19, 2021
This collection of very short snapshots of the author’s experience of being Palestinian in America provide glimpses into the politicisation of her identity, sexism within her family, harmful and reductive stereotypes in American media, as well as sweet celebrations of her family history and Palestinian culture. I very much enjoyed this but definitely wanted more as it was such a quick read, and the short segments meant we covered a lot of ground but didn’t linger long enough to settle in. Happy I read it.
“When some continually make a point to assert that Palestinians don’t exist, calling yourself the thing you are becomes an act of defiance.”
“When some continually make a point to assert that Palestinians don’t exist, calling yourself the thing you are becomes an act of defiance.”
February 2, 2018
When I was growing up, in Los Angeles, we had many refugees come to our city, and our schools. I was friends with kids that escaped, with their families, from Lebenon, from Cambodia, from Iran. Kids talking to each other can find that they have a lot in common, if the parents and adults don't get in the way.
This memorie is of a girl whose family has escaped from Palestine, or what is now the Palestinian Territories. She talks about how because she doesn't look like what Americans think Arab people look like, they think she is white, and she often hears racist "jokes". The name of the book is taken from a cultural festival that she would go to, every year as a kid, where people would rent hookahs, and wander around with them at the festival.
The author had to self publish, at first, to get this book out, because people shied away from stories about Palestinians. She said when she took her book to comic book shows, people would pick up the book, thinking it was about hookahs, and then try to find a nice way to put the book down when they discovered what it really was.
Well written, gives a view of a world that most white people in America are unaware of.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This memorie is of a girl whose family has escaped from Palestine, or what is now the Palestinian Territories. She talks about how because she doesn't look like what Americans think Arab people look like, they think she is white, and she often hears racist "jokes". The name of the book is taken from a cultural festival that she would go to, every year as a kid, where people would rent hookahs, and wander around with them at the festival.
The author had to self publish, at first, to get this book out, because people shied away from stories about Palestinians. She said when she took her book to comic book shows, people would pick up the book, thinking it was about hookahs, and then try to find a nice way to put the book down when they discovered what it really was.
Well written, gives a view of a world that most white people in America are unaware of.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
December 19, 2020
'The Hookah Girl and Other True Stories' with words and art by Marguerite Dabaie is a graphic novel about being Palestinian in a culture that misunderstands your culture.
Taking on culture and stereotypes head on, this is a look at what it's like when you do and don't fit the stereotypes. It's also about the weird things your friends eat and how they judge you for eating grape leaves. Since the author is perceived to be white, she hears the racist jokes that others make.
I really appreciate a look at other cultures. This is done here in a friendly and informative style. We all have differences, but we also have similarities among our many cultures. I'm glad I got to read this graphic novel.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Taking on culture and stereotypes head on, this is a look at what it's like when you do and don't fit the stereotypes. It's also about the weird things your friends eat and how they judge you for eating grape leaves. Since the author is perceived to be white, she hears the racist jokes that others make.
I really appreciate a look at other cultures. This is done here in a friendly and informative style. We all have differences, but we also have similarities among our many cultures. I'm glad I got to read this graphic novel.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
February 2, 2018
"I can't help but admire that", this book's creator writes of an anti-Israeli terrorist. The mind boggles as to why this is allowed to be published. Zero stars.
February 21, 2018
-Disclaimer: I have received a free copy of this book, in exchange for a honest review-
As I first saw this, I instantly thought of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis books, and how I loved them, so I threw myself into it, and finished it in one sitting.
Instead of being a long, coherent story, The Hookah girl consists of smaller stories, rants, contemplative segments, and graphic how-to guides for example on looting and preparing filled grape leaves, and how to properly chew sunflower seeds (I LOVED that part).
Seeing how this was a piece that Ms. Dabaie did over a longer period of time, the art style, wording, and tone varies much between the segments. There is a HEAVY amount of socio-cultural load in this book, but it's vital to understand where she came from, and what kind of culture, and reception she grew up in, so it's not intrusive. Evidently, the book has a Pro-Palestine viewpoint, but instead of resorting to dumb propaganda, it touches the matter more from a personal viewpoint, throwing things like a young girl's curiosity towards an unknown freedom fighter, or the new Wonder Woman movie in the batter.
Overall I liked the Hookah girl, but I could much more picture this as an ongoing webcomic, than a book.
As I first saw this, I instantly thought of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis books, and how I loved them, so I threw myself into it, and finished it in one sitting.
Instead of being a long, coherent story, The Hookah girl consists of smaller stories, rants, contemplative segments, and graphic how-to guides for example on looting and preparing filled grape leaves, and how to properly chew sunflower seeds (I LOVED that part).
Seeing how this was a piece that Ms. Dabaie did over a longer period of time, the art style, wording, and tone varies much between the segments. There is a HEAVY amount of socio-cultural load in this book, but it's vital to understand where she came from, and what kind of culture, and reception she grew up in, so it's not intrusive. Evidently, the book has a Pro-Palestine viewpoint, but instead of resorting to dumb propaganda, it touches the matter more from a personal viewpoint, throwing things like a young girl's curiosity towards an unknown freedom fighter, or the new Wonder Woman movie in the batter.
Overall I liked the Hookah girl, but I could much more picture this as an ongoing webcomic, than a book.
May 28, 2018
Goodreads Synopsis:
In this current political climate, being a Palestinian is a hazard. However, there are common grounds where East meets West. The Hookah Girl is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel of a childhood as a Christian Palestinian in America. Told in short stories and with narrative ranging from growing up in a refugee family to how to roll waraq (stuffed grape leaves), this book is an account of living in two seemingly different cultures that actually aren’t very different at all.
My Review:
I know I say this a lot, but this book wasn't what I expected at all. Not a lot of books tackle this issue, so you don't see it a lot. This is about stereotypes people have to face today. The story begins with the author explaining how much she had to work to get her book published. Because of the content, a lot of people thought it was too provocative. It addresses a lot of problems that people face now, day to day, in a fun cartoon format that you wouldn't expect from such a serious topic. I learned a lot from this book, and I didn't expect to. For instance, did you know that a certain superhero movie was banned in many middle eastern countries because the main character, an Israeli woman, was at the time apart of a group that supported in the war in the Gaza Strip. This was really informative, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel like I really learned a lot, even though it was a really short read. The art is really cute, and I loved the glossary at the back, I didn't expect it. I would definitely purchase this even though I've already read it, and I definitely recommend you check it out for yourself.
Here's a link to the author's Twitter, and another link to the book on Amazon.
https://twitter.com/mdabaie?lang=en
https://www.amazon.ca/Hookah-Girl-Oth...
Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
In this current political climate, being a Palestinian is a hazard. However, there are common grounds where East meets West. The Hookah Girl is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel of a childhood as a Christian Palestinian in America. Told in short stories and with narrative ranging from growing up in a refugee family to how to roll waraq (stuffed grape leaves), this book is an account of living in two seemingly different cultures that actually aren’t very different at all.
My Review:
I know I say this a lot, but this book wasn't what I expected at all. Not a lot of books tackle this issue, so you don't see it a lot. This is about stereotypes people have to face today. The story begins with the author explaining how much she had to work to get her book published. Because of the content, a lot of people thought it was too provocative. It addresses a lot of problems that people face now, day to day, in a fun cartoon format that you wouldn't expect from such a serious topic. I learned a lot from this book, and I didn't expect to. For instance, did you know that a certain superhero movie was banned in many middle eastern countries because the main character, an Israeli woman, was at the time apart of a group that supported in the war in the Gaza Strip. This was really informative, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel like I really learned a lot, even though it was a really short read. The art is really cute, and I loved the glossary at the back, I didn't expect it. I would definitely purchase this even though I've already read it, and I definitely recommend you check it out for yourself.
Here's a link to the author's Twitter, and another link to the book on Amazon.
https://twitter.com/mdabaie?lang=en
https://www.amazon.ca/Hookah-Girl-Oth...
Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
January 20, 2024
Content notes for violence against Palestinians, guns and islamophobia.
The nature of the violence was pretty macabre.
What kinds of keywords came to mind reading this 100 page short story collection? Culture and fashion, colonization, violence, silencing and gender.
Writing wise I found this volume to be extremely creative in the ways that Dabaie approached the subject of being Palestinian. Each short story takes a different angle on culture and clichés; they use paper dolls, pop culture discourse, food and profiles.
The striking black and white art also really complimented the stories.
Looking at the intersecting identities as present in the volume.
Gender and race felt most central to the collection. With a lot of ink spilled exploring what it means to be a Palestinian American. The ways people either turn you into a cartoon or try to erase your identity. And the fetishization of Arab women.
Folk medicine and disability are both topics of short stories in the collection.
Human sexuality and class felt minimally explored.
Wrapping things up, a pretty fast but intense read and incredibly creative. Five stars, I only wish there was more.
The nature of the violence was pretty macabre.
What kinds of keywords came to mind reading this 100 page short story collection? Culture and fashion, colonization, violence, silencing and gender.
Writing wise I found this volume to be extremely creative in the ways that Dabaie approached the subject of being Palestinian. Each short story takes a different angle on culture and clichés; they use paper dolls, pop culture discourse, food and profiles.
The striking black and white art also really complimented the stories.
Looking at the intersecting identities as present in the volume.
Gender and race felt most central to the collection. With a lot of ink spilled exploring what it means to be a Palestinian American. The ways people either turn you into a cartoon or try to erase your identity. And the fetishization of Arab women.
Folk medicine and disability are both topics of short stories in the collection.
Human sexuality and class felt minimally explored.
Wrapping things up, a pretty fast but intense read and incredibly creative. Five stars, I only wish there was more.
February 25, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read The Hookah Girl but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. It touches on Palestinian politics and covers a lot of personal issues the author faced (for instance, her father deterred her from many activities simply because she was a girl) but there are also many humorous moments so the collection doesn't feel too heavy overall. I really liked the artist's use of panels on different backgrounds and borders; this was unexpected and they were beautifully drawn.
I particularly enjoyed the story about grape leaves with illustrations inspired by board games and "Should/Am" with its' clever use of paper dolls.
The Hookah Girl is a short but important work that is quite successful in subverting essentialist notions about identity.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read The Hookah Girl but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. It touches on Palestinian politics and covers a lot of personal issues the author faced (for instance, her father deterred her from many activities simply because she was a girl) but there are also many humorous moments so the collection doesn't feel too heavy overall. I really liked the artist's use of panels on different backgrounds and borders; this was unexpected and they were beautifully drawn.
I particularly enjoyed the story about grape leaves with illustrations inspired by board games and "Should/Am" with its' clever use of paper dolls.
The Hookah Girl is a short but important work that is quite successful in subverting essentialist notions about identity.
February 26, 2018
This graphic novel by Palestinian-American author, Marguerite Dabaie is deceptively simple, but gives readers a realistic, light-hearted, honest, and real glimpse into the lives of Middle-Eastern families. Dabaie doesn't pull any punches when she refers to prejudices that those of Middle-Eastern descent, even while poking fun at her own cultures' quirks. Part-textbook (for the information) part-art installment, I highly recommend this for anyone looking for an insight into a different culture.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
December 18, 2023
This graphic novel is a series of insightful autobiographical vignettes detailing Arab American and Palestinian (diaspora) culture. The art style was fantastic; I loved the use of texture and the way panels and drawings were arranged. This was especially stunning in the story “Domestic Goddess.”
Overall my favourite stories were Textiles, Should/Am and Rolling Leaves and the Grape Leaf Getaway Car. Honourable mentions go to What Leila Khaled Said and The Stealth Arab, which were thought-provoking.
Overall my favourite stories were Textiles, Should/Am and Rolling Leaves and the Grape Leaf Getaway Car. Honourable mentions go to What Leila Khaled Said and The Stealth Arab, which were thought-provoking.
April 29, 2018
In the Hookah Girl:And Other True Stories Marguerite Dabaie has given us unromanticized truth. This truth is uncensored and pure. Sometimes her stories are amusing, and we chuckle. Sometimes they are beautiful and endearing. And sometimes they are painful. But because of this candor a curtain is raised and the reader is given a rare glimpse of the experience and the impact of growing up in a Palestinian-American Christian household. This is an important read.
read-comix
November 15, 2023“When some continually make a point to assert that Palestinians don’t exist, calling yourself the thing you are becomes an act of defiance.”
This is a great collection of short illustrated stories. I loved that there was a comic on how to roll grape leaves as I've always wanted to learn. The creator also covers topics such as sexism, politics, stereotypes, family history, and Palestinian culture.
This is a great collection of short illustrated stories. I loved that there was a comic on how to roll grape leaves as I've always wanted to learn. The creator also covers topics such as sexism, politics, stereotypes, family history, and Palestinian culture.
August 15, 2024
I find the blurb on the back pretty inane, but the stories themselves are worth the read. They range from humorous little observations about Arab families to uncomfortable conversations captured in a few panels to graphics about Palestinian textile designs. Some of them address Western assumptions about Palestinian life, while others are focused on her family dynamics. It's an interesting little comic that can be read in snippets, most of which are only a few pages long.
February 12, 2018
I really liked this book -- it was clever and entertaining, but I really enjoyed reading the point of view of the author. It is always good to view things from someone so different. Especially since it is so popular to pretend that Arabs, and especially Palestinians, are not real humans. As the author points out, the history is so complex and difficult to grapple with.
February 15, 2021
My friend pens stories that are roughly autobiographical but are considered "controversial" because of her ethnicity. I am really glad these finally got a more formal published version. Re-read at a good time, given if anything, things are worse now than when she wrote them or even when this was collected.
March 4, 2018
This being a collection of stories, is a bit inconsistent in its art, paneling and writing style. Some stories I liked more, others not so much. Overall, it got quite narrative for a graphic novel.
June 23, 2018
It's ok.
September 14, 2018
Excellent account of the author's experiences. Both poignant and charming.
April 28, 2022
A bunch of meandering comics.
December 10, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
March 5, 2026
Great art, lovely stories.
May 15, 2018
* I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. *
Marguerite Dabaie's graphic novel is an eye-opening account of life as a young Palestinian living in the USA. In a series of episodic cartoon strips, she talks about Palestinian culture, some of her heroes, and the difficulties of assimilation into her new community and occasional encounters with casual racism.
Marguerite Dabaie's graphic novel is an eye-opening account of life as a young Palestinian living in the USA. In a series of episodic cartoon strips, she talks about Palestinian culture, some of her heroes, and the difficulties of assimilation into her new community and occasional encounters with casual racism.
March 30, 2022
This was a great book. I feel like I learned a lot about the author as a person, her family, and her culture all in an authentic way. I'm Middle Eastern so I was able to relate to a lot of what she talked about and recognized those recipes but I didn't know specific aspects of Palestinian culture and history. I wish it was longer.
February 23, 2018
I am not going to lie.... I really didn't know what to expect when reading this. The description really made me curious and as a hookah smoker, it was appealing to me in that sense since I was thinking I could relate to the character in a way. I am SOOOOO happy I picked this up. It was not what I was expecting. It really made me step out my own shoes and see someone else's life through their eyes. MUST READ!!!
March 17, 2018
I loved the way this book worked as a series of chapters featuring images and words about culture. Specifically, I really enjoyed the chapter on how cultures are appropriated in film. In some ways, this book reminded me of Pashmina and in other ways of Persepolis. Very, very well done.
May 16, 2018
The Hookah Girl is a graphic novel that examines the unique experiences of being a Christian Palestinian girl living in a western country.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Readers with a quirky, indie streak who do not mind mining into racial minorities' life experiences without trying to minimise them.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
The authenticity of it. Moreso, reading this book makes me realise humans, regardless of race and background, have a lot in common than they think.
.......
The Hookah Girl: And Other True Stories by Marguerite Dabaie is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Rosarium Publishing for review copy.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Readers with a quirky, indie streak who do not mind mining into racial minorities' life experiences without trying to minimise them.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
The authenticity of it. Moreso, reading this book makes me realise humans, regardless of race and background, have a lot in common than they think.
.......
The Hookah Girl: And Other True Stories by Marguerite Dabaie is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Rosarium Publishing for review copy.
Want to Read
June 22, 2018Note: I received a digital review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews