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Not Quite White
This is a story of belonging and not belonging, of not knowing if you exist and making sure that you do. This story is for ancestors and descendants, for the people without roles or representation who find themselves placed in a random mixed-up race. This is a story about time travel and tigers, of mountains and moons, and what happens when you sew a thread that was split in two. Reliving defining memories from early childhood in the 1990s to the present day, Laila Woozeer engages with the divisive patterns of racism and prejudice and their cumulative effect on a single life. Using the healing stream of connection – with personal and family history, friends, nature and imagination – and the act of creation, Laila illustrates the way a self was forged. Between past lives and personhood, and from colonialism to creativity, this is a vivid, lyrical account of identity, endurance, courage, growth and artistry. In Not Quite White you are invited to follow the journey of somebody trying desperately to understand who they are, how to survive, and what it might mean to thrive.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirPolitics
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 26, 2022
what an incredible piece of work. Laila tells stories with a direct, approachable manner while also weaving in references to research papers and Laila’s own personal experience so seamlessly. As a person of various ethnicities, who shares the struggle of wondering if and how I was supposed to exist when I could barely find or see others like me, it was affirming to read this and know that, in many ways, I was also not alone. Laila reckons with so much in this book and does it so well. It doesn’t end with a cherry on top or wrapped up neatly with a bow because it’s life - and life doesn’t always work that way. But it’s authentic and informative, which I loved.
July 17, 2022
A reflection on Laila Woozeer’s memoire Not Quite White:
Laila Woozeer’s book is beautiful and truly inspiring. Through Laila’s penned words they enter so many important discussions. Laila voices relatable experiences by sharing their story and experiences with us. I love Laila’s beautiful descriptions and the way Laila expresses themself through the written space. Laila acknowledges the multitudes and uneasily defined experience of those who are mixed race. By Laila sharing their story and reflections of thought they create an important dialogue and also a beautiful self-expression which goes against the rigidity of those who try to define/ reduce us. As someone who shares also a story of (un)belonging as being mixed race, Laila creates a space and place within their writing to feel heard, seen and also to try and understand ourselves through reflecting on our own story as we journey through the pages on Laila’s story. For me, the opportunity to read Laila’s story I feel blessed and grateful. Throughout the book we go on a journey with Laila, with regards to identity, understanding, reflection, and so much more. Laila shows how identity searching, trying to balance unbelonging / belonging and feeling at ease within a mixed race identity can be complex and difficult. Through Laila’s story you are able to see we are made up of a multitude of experiences, our voices are valid and not just one single story exists, but a multitude, each individual to each one of us. Thank you Laila Woozeer for sharing your inspiring story with us and so grateful to be able to read your book.
Laila Woozeer’s book is beautiful and truly inspiring. Through Laila’s penned words they enter so many important discussions. Laila voices relatable experiences by sharing their story and experiences with us. I love Laila’s beautiful descriptions and the way Laila expresses themself through the written space. Laila acknowledges the multitudes and uneasily defined experience of those who are mixed race. By Laila sharing their story and reflections of thought they create an important dialogue and also a beautiful self-expression which goes against the rigidity of those who try to define/ reduce us. As someone who shares also a story of (un)belonging as being mixed race, Laila creates a space and place within their writing to feel heard, seen and also to try and understand ourselves through reflecting on our own story as we journey through the pages on Laila’s story. For me, the opportunity to read Laila’s story I feel blessed and grateful. Throughout the book we go on a journey with Laila, with regards to identity, understanding, reflection, and so much more. Laila shows how identity searching, trying to balance unbelonging / belonging and feeling at ease within a mixed race identity can be complex and difficult. Through Laila’s story you are able to see we are made up of a multitude of experiences, our voices are valid and not just one single story exists, but a multitude, each individual to each one of us. Thank you Laila Woozeer for sharing your inspiring story with us and so grateful to be able to read your book.
June 25, 2022
This is a stunning memoir. Laila's writing is lyrical and evocative, transporting the reader from Welsh hillside to sun-warmed Mauritian beaches, as Laila tries to understand who they are and their place in the world. It's also a masterpiece in showing how whiteness and colonialism impact the self.
February 2, 2025
I really enjoyed Laila’s writing and reading her perspective on identity. A really important read that opened my perspective.
March 26, 2023
essential reading, basically. laila's writing is beautiful, even (or especially?) on devastating topics, and through their own experiences laila covers so much and so well.
October 14, 2023
TW: Mention of self harm on page 132, vague reference to suicidal thoughts on page 160, and of course discussions of racism and its aspects including bullying, fetishisation, slavery, colonialism, and all the other wonderful things being done to PoC.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I think the author deserves recognition and praise for bravely sharing their story and making others feel less alone.
This book changed me. I've read a lot of literature about white women struggling with navigating the patriarchy, and I've read some literature about people's experiences with racism, but I've never read or even come across a book by a fellow mixed race afab person* before. So many of the experiences described just resonated with a part of me that has never been seen or reflected anywhere until now.
However, even without my personal connection to the topic, I think I would have considered this a good book.
*after reading more about Laila Woozeer, I'm not sure if the author identifies as a woman but couldn't find their pronouns anywhere, please comment if you know and I will change them!
The beginning immediately drew me in – a whimsical, magical childhood in an unusual location and in close communion with nature, vividly described in grand lyrical words. I'm a pebble myself, which is what the author calls PoC who grew up in rural areas without much diversity. The mythical references and flowery language were reminiscent of a fairytale, except with a sense of melancholy because you know those peaceful childhood days won't last. I was invested in Laila's story from the curious, nature-loving child to the depressed teen to the ambitious uni student, musician, activist, and writer, and wanted to see them succeed and accompany them on the quest to finding their identity.
I also liked how their parents were never portrayed as all good or all bad, but complex, multidimensional human beings trying to navigate their own interracial relationship and having a mixed race child, which naturally – I know this from my own family – includes making mistakes, even making others feel invalidated or unwelcome without meaning to.
Reading someone else's thoughts on these topics helped me untangle a few things for myself, like certain microaggressions or beliefs (both from others and internalised ones), where they come from and what assumptions they imply – even things I hadn't realised were inherently connected to race, like how not having records of your ancestors can affect your family and view of yourself, having a phase of thinking you're adopted because you don't look like either of your parents, or using art as both necessary self expression of a complex identity and as a way to find your place in the world.
Another interesting thing I noticed was how Laila describes their white and brown parts as separate entities, the white part metaphorically colonising the brown part, whereas I always saw myself as white (a very dark shade of white, which made me feel like a failure as a child) until I realised I actually wasn't white, then I started seeing myself as a PoC. There was never really a time when I considered myself both, white and brown, although I guess that is what I am, in mathematical terms.
Other details of the book I enjoyed were the remarks about how research for the memoir was done and the random sources used, like an old iPod or a university brochure.
The breakthrough moments and education about philosophical concepts at Goldsmiths that helped them make sense of the concept of Self and Other were very interesting too.
At times the witty British humour surprised me. The author has a good mixture of not taking themself too seriously and advocating for their younger self with passion and sincerity.
My one small bit of criticism is that sometimes I found that a seemingly small thing like a single thought or idea was discussed for just slightly too long, but that's what memoirs are I guess. Maybe the thing was not small to the author, and it's about their life after all.
I also could have done with more paragraphs with blank lines in-between and shorter chapters (because that's how I decide where to take a break from reading) but that's a personal preference. I understand why the chapters were longer because each one covers a certain time period in their life, so I'm not really criticising the way it was done; it just made it a little harder for me to focus.
Overall, this is a very quiet book for the fact that it's about something so enraging as racism. But it's not just about that. It's about art, music, hope, nature, the meaning of words.
It wasn't the easiest or quickest read despite its short length. Sometimes I was staring at a page for 5 minutes before continuing. I found myself in it, and yet it was a separate person that I now feel weirdly close to. I don't think I've ever been invited this deeply into a total stranger's thoughts, and it feels like a rare and precious thing.
It is a very slow book as well. If you really want to dive into someone's life and mind, one moment or feeling spanning several pages, this is the right fit.
The cool thing about reading a memoir (and not necessarily Prince Harry's) is that you can go on the author's Instagram page and see the protagonist from the book in real life and find out more about them, and maybe even some of the side characters in the comments. Not that I would do that, I am not a stalker.
Yeah, I totally did that, it's 3 a.m. and I'm like 3 links deep into Laila Woozeer's extended friend group.
This was a long review, and it gets longer if you click here to discover 8 pages of my favourite quotes:
Quotes
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I think the author deserves recognition and praise for bravely sharing their story and making others feel less alone.
This book changed me. I've read a lot of literature about white women struggling with navigating the patriarchy, and I've read some literature about people's experiences with racism, but I've never read or even come across a book by a fellow mixed race afab person* before. So many of the experiences described just resonated with a part of me that has never been seen or reflected anywhere until now.
However, even without my personal connection to the topic, I think I would have considered this a good book.
*after reading more about Laila Woozeer, I'm not sure if the author identifies as a woman but couldn't find their pronouns anywhere, please comment if you know and I will change them!
The beginning immediately drew me in – a whimsical, magical childhood in an unusual location and in close communion with nature, vividly described in grand lyrical words. I'm a pebble myself, which is what the author calls PoC who grew up in rural areas without much diversity. The mythical references and flowery language were reminiscent of a fairytale, except with a sense of melancholy because you know those peaceful childhood days won't last. I was invested in Laila's story from the curious, nature-loving child to the depressed teen to the ambitious uni student, musician, activist, and writer, and wanted to see them succeed and accompany them on the quest to finding their identity.
I also liked how their parents were never portrayed as all good or all bad, but complex, multidimensional human beings trying to navigate their own interracial relationship and having a mixed race child, which naturally – I know this from my own family – includes making mistakes, even making others feel invalidated or unwelcome without meaning to.
Reading someone else's thoughts on these topics helped me untangle a few things for myself, like certain microaggressions or beliefs (both from others and internalised ones), where they come from and what assumptions they imply – even things I hadn't realised were inherently connected to race, like how not having records of your ancestors can affect your family and view of yourself, having a phase of thinking you're adopted because you don't look like either of your parents, or using art as both necessary self expression of a complex identity and as a way to find your place in the world.
Another interesting thing I noticed was how Laila describes their white and brown parts as separate entities, the white part metaphorically colonising the brown part, whereas I always saw myself as white (a very dark shade of white, which made me feel like a failure as a child) until I realised I actually wasn't white, then I started seeing myself as a PoC. There was never really a time when I considered myself both, white and brown, although I guess that is what I am, in mathematical terms.
Other details of the book I enjoyed were the remarks about how research for the memoir was done and the random sources used, like an old iPod or a university brochure.
The breakthrough moments and education about philosophical concepts at Goldsmiths that helped them make sense of the concept of Self and Other were very interesting too.
At times the witty British humour surprised me. The author has a good mixture of not taking themself too seriously and advocating for their younger self with passion and sincerity.
My one small bit of criticism is that sometimes I found that a seemingly small thing like a single thought or idea was discussed for just slightly too long, but that's what memoirs are I guess. Maybe the thing was not small to the author, and it's about their life after all.
I also could have done with more paragraphs with blank lines in-between and shorter chapters (because that's how I decide where to take a break from reading) but that's a personal preference. I understand why the chapters were longer because each one covers a certain time period in their life, so I'm not really criticising the way it was done; it just made it a little harder for me to focus.
Overall, this is a very quiet book for the fact that it's about something so enraging as racism. But it's not just about that. It's about art, music, hope, nature, the meaning of words.
It wasn't the easiest or quickest read despite its short length. Sometimes I was staring at a page for 5 minutes before continuing. I found myself in it, and yet it was a separate person that I now feel weirdly close to. I don't think I've ever been invited this deeply into a total stranger's thoughts, and it feels like a rare and precious thing.
It is a very slow book as well. If you really want to dive into someone's life and mind, one moment or feeling spanning several pages, this is the right fit.
The cool thing about reading a memoir (and not necessarily Prince Harry's) is that you can go on the author's Instagram page and see the protagonist from the book in real life and find out more about them, and maybe even some of the side characters in the comments. Not that I would do that, I am not a stalker.
Yeah, I totally did that, it's 3 a.m. and I'm like 3 links deep into Laila Woozeer's extended friend group.
This was a long review, and it gets longer if you click here to discover 8 pages of my favourite quotes:
Quotes
October 8, 2022
The reader is allowed to grow up with Laila . . . as she discovers her own identity of "belonging and not belonging". Laila paints a vivid picture of what is like to experience divisive patterns of racism and prejudice and the effect on her young life.
Overwhelming though this is story of Laila's journey of undestanding and connecting to her ancestry, and the courage to embrace her own unique identity.
The book is thought provoking, lyrical and joy to read
Overwhelming though this is story of Laila's journey of undestanding and connecting to her ancestry, and the courage to embrace her own unique identity.
The book is thought provoking, lyrical and joy to read
March 24, 2025
SO RELATABLE! I felt so validated reading about Leila’s mixed heritage & experiences in the UK. Things from school that I’d forgotten about, the obsession with Princess Jasmine - I thought this book was brilliant. I’d recommend for anyone who wants insight into what it’s like being mixed race in the UK.
July 27, 2022
If you're gonna read a book this year, make it this one!
July 11, 2025
A wonderful exploration of identity and the importance of the environment to understanding oneself.
This book is like a flower blossoming from the core central concept of identity. As a memoir, the book is told in a chronological order up to the present day of the author's life. When she is a young child the questions are simple but very core, such as who am I, or even do I even exist? As she gets older, newer and newer complexities are added but always staying with the same theme.
But the greatest strength of this book is not only how well it explores the theme of identity but how relatable it actually is to read. Which is ironic, as Laila herself could never relate to anyone and yet her writing resonates with so many people. At its core, this book is about how isolating it is to be perceived as different both by everyone around you and most importantly by yourself. Laila frequently gaslights herself into thinking that she is the problem. Even though I don't share many identity markers with the author, I could very clearly remember moments from my own childhood when I thought to myself I am the weird one for being different. It made me remember the sandwich I brought into school made by my mum, thickly spread with Ajvar and how the other kids thought it was disgusting how it made my whole mouth red. It also made me relive how out of place I felt at university not knowing any of the British disco classics from the 80s.
I highly recommend this book if you ever felt like you were the minority and you doubted your worth because of it. Laila Woozeer writes with such compassion, that this book will surely make you realise something that you knew all along but no one validated before. You exist and you aren't weird for it.
This book is like a flower blossoming from the core central concept of identity. As a memoir, the book is told in a chronological order up to the present day of the author's life. When she is a young child the questions are simple but very core, such as who am I, or even do I even exist? As she gets older, newer and newer complexities are added but always staying with the same theme.
But the greatest strength of this book is not only how well it explores the theme of identity but how relatable it actually is to read. Which is ironic, as Laila herself could never relate to anyone and yet her writing resonates with so many people. At its core, this book is about how isolating it is to be perceived as different both by everyone around you and most importantly by yourself. Laila frequently gaslights herself into thinking that she is the problem. Even though I don't share many identity markers with the author, I could very clearly remember moments from my own childhood when I thought to myself I am the weird one for being different. It made me remember the sandwich I brought into school made by my mum, thickly spread with Ajvar and how the other kids thought it was disgusting how it made my whole mouth red. It also made me relive how out of place I felt at university not knowing any of the British disco classics from the 80s.
I highly recommend this book if you ever felt like you were the minority and you doubted your worth because of it. Laila Woozeer writes with such compassion, that this book will surely make you realise something that you knew all along but no one validated before. You exist and you aren't weird for it.
Read
September 27, 2022This book found me at the right time. It’s the type of book that I suspect could find anyone at the ‘right time’. With themes around change, self-love, and self-doubt, Laila Woozeer recounts life through the lens of a question we all ask ourselves at some point (if not at many points) in our lives: “who am I?”
The answer is beautifully unpacked as Woozeer fields its depths through a mixed race background and familial history — and through the accompanying cultural nuance that comes with straddling multiple pieces of one’s identity: being a daughter, an artist, and a student. Belonging here and also there.
Woozeer makes it clear that while this question could not be answered with exactness for a long time, making art and being in nature helped in forming an answer.
On the note of belonging, I felt most at home in the beautiful Welsh backdrop. While I’ve never been to the UK, Woozeer’s description of the mountains and making friends with nature made me feel an instant connection. When I read the opening of the memoir I briefly thought I was reading fiction, only to realize that this mystical land is where the author grew up.
Much like creating art, it serves as a touchstone throughout the book. A state of equilibrium in which the author and the reader feel some urge to return to. It’s peaceful in those mountains, just as it’s peaceful when Woozeer is creating.
In mapping her own values systems, Woozeer forces the reader to reflect on their own. In this way, Woozeer creates an environment in the reader’s mind that allows us to learn more about ourselves as we learn about the author’s life. This is the real gift that Woozeer gives readers.
The answer is beautifully unpacked as Woozeer fields its depths through a mixed race background and familial history — and through the accompanying cultural nuance that comes with straddling multiple pieces of one’s identity: being a daughter, an artist, and a student. Belonging here and also there.
Woozeer makes it clear that while this question could not be answered with exactness for a long time, making art and being in nature helped in forming an answer.
On the note of belonging, I felt most at home in the beautiful Welsh backdrop. While I’ve never been to the UK, Woozeer’s description of the mountains and making friends with nature made me feel an instant connection. When I read the opening of the memoir I briefly thought I was reading fiction, only to realize that this mystical land is where the author grew up.
Much like creating art, it serves as a touchstone throughout the book. A state of equilibrium in which the author and the reader feel some urge to return to. It’s peaceful in those mountains, just as it’s peaceful when Woozeer is creating.
In mapping her own values systems, Woozeer forces the reader to reflect on their own. In this way, Woozeer creates an environment in the reader’s mind that allows us to learn more about ourselves as we learn about the author’s life. This is the real gift that Woozeer gives readers.
October 17, 2025
This was such an insightful memoir and was a real a page turner for me although my heart ached for Laila countless times. She made it very clear how challenging it was in many ways to grow up mixed race. It had to be frustrating to not be able to get straight answers from her parents and it is terrible how much she was bullied by peers in school. There is nothing worse than a bully and although more light is shed on it these days, there is still a long way to go unfortunately. I always appreciate a book that opens my eyes to new perspectives and this one definitely did. Laila’s letter at the end really touched my heart.
August 24, 2022
A beautifully written memoir on Laila's experience growing up mixed race in the UK. As a fellow mixed person of the same generation as Laila, I related to parts of this memoir so much despite the fact that every mixed person's heritage and experiences are different. Parts had me laughing and parts had me sadly reflecting on prejudice and how parts of our identity are lost or glossed over when we are reduced to being "half this" and "half that".
The writing is beautiful and I was really sad when this was over!
The writing is beautiful and I was really sad when this was over!
May 15, 2024
I loved this booked! It’s so nicely written and brings you on a journey of self discovery while at the same time educating you. It’s the first book that has really helped me understand how it feels to be different. Not from a statistics level but just from a personal viewpoint. Can’t recommend this book enough. It’s such an enjoyable and educational read at the same time.
May 12, 2023
Laila writes so well and reading any of their work is a pleasure. The subject of this book isn't light and happy, it forces us to think of things we'd rather people didn't go through, but I'd highly recommend reading to broaden your understanding
May 15, 2024
Loved every moment of this well written exploration of identity, mixed heritage and what it means to be yourself in a world that tells you to be like everyone else.
July 23, 2024
Never have I related more to a book. Very grateful for this memoir.
May 8, 2023
What an incredible memoir regarding racism and it's effects. Laila's account of her life, thoughts and views are so courageous and heartfelt one can only be moved by her words. Here is just one of Laila's quotes which struck a chord; "This constant conflict is par for the course when one part of you is colonised and the other coloniser. I was born with my sin."
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews