Life as a Unicorn by Amrou Al-Kadhi

A heart-breaking and hilarious memoir about the author’s fight to be true to themself...
 
Amrou knew they were gay when, aged ten, they first laid eyes on Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. It was love at first sight.
 
Amrou’s parents weren’t so happy…
 
From that moment on, Amrou began searching in all the wrong places for ways to make their divided self whole again.
 
Life as a Unicorn is a hilarious yet devastating story of a search for belonging, following the painful and surprising process of transforming from a god-fearing Muslim boy to a queer drag queen, strutting the stage in seven-inch heels and saying the things nobody else dares to….
 
WINNER OF A SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD
WINNER THE POLARI FIRST BOOK PRIZE 2020
 
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”'Amazing .. it provides so much nuance to the multiverse of identity.” - Gay Times
 
”'This book is as rare, fabulous and beautiful as the creature it is named for. A masterpiece of psychology, a major study of Islam and a definitive study of drag, it made me cry, it made me rage and it made me hoot. Full of anger, insight and philosophy, along with some cracking great gags, this is a magnificent and essential document of the twenty-first century. It moved my heart and soul.” - Russell T Davies
 
‘A heartbreaking, healing book. it will make you better.' - Simon Amstell
 
”'Amrou’s book is slightly magical, I think. They are a survivor, a storyteller and yes, a unicorn.” - Juno Dawson
 
”'Amrou's story is at times painful, at times hilarious, but always completely resonant. If you've ever felt like an outsider, or caught among several identities, this book is a light in the dark and a soothing balm on the pain of loneliness and alienation.” - Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani
 
”'This is a masterpiece, an incredible emotional voyage, moving, funny, provocative, educational, a book you must read whatever your ethnicity or your sexual or gender identity. Beautifully written by an author whose voice must be heard.” - Owen Jones