The True True Story of Raja the Gullible | 
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pickRaja is lovable. He just wants to dance and play with Barbies but growing up in the time and place he did makes it difficult to be his true self. His mother is his fiercest defender, protector, ally, friend, but also pain in the neck! This story takes place over years, as Raja remembers his childhood and coming of age, which happened during conflict, into later adulthood. There‘s humor despite heavy topics. This mother-son relationship is lovely.
pickThis is a charming book in many ways- love between a mother and son as they shout insults to each other, living life in the chaos of Beirut, and a quick witted narrator. The middle of the book didn‘t have the pace the first third did, but a wonderful book. I‘m not surprised this one won awards, as it was enjoyable and as it had humor, trauma and love woven throughout.
pickI loved this NBA nominee. Raja is a 60 year old queer man, living in Beirut. His mother has just moved in with him and they have a rather fractious, but hilarious relationship.
Raja looks back over Lebanese history which, of course, is a rather serious topic. He intersperses that with his own relationship history, which also has a serious side, but he is witty and loveable throughout. (And his mother is an absolute menace! 😝)
And here‘s the #NBAshortlist for fiction! I haven‘t cracked the Majumdar yet but am 2/3 through North Sun and really liking it, and have read the other 3. Today, my vote would go to Raja (tagged), as I absolutely loved it. I‘m very happy to see The Sisters not be here but am a little surprised Flournoy was left out, though I haven‘t read hers yet.
pickThe True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), by Rabih Alameddine (2025)
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Premise: A queer resident of Beirut navigates the many crises of the past sixty years of his country‘s history.
Review: What makes this book so good is that somehow Alameddine makes it delightful and fun despite the very often serious subject matter. An unexpected but deserved choice for the National Book Award list!
pickThis is an absolute gem of a book from the National Book Awards Longlist. A story of a life lived in Beirut, always keenly aware of the shadows of conflict, war, and corruption, but also embracing the vitality of life. Thoughtful and engaging, at times devastating and tense, but with a beautifully balanced humour throughout.
@squirrelbrain I think you'll like this, IMO it's worth the purchase!
pickRaja is a 60-something teacher in Beirut and his 80-something mom has just moved in with him. Their relationship is absolutely hilarious, and through it we see a bit of Lebanon, especially as we get the backstory of Raja‘s gay awakening during their civil war. The tone is masterful, maintaining humor while never diminishing serious events. I absolutely loved this.
#NBAlonglist, fiction
"I began many a battle feeling indomitable and ending up prostrate and vanquished, my mother's flag fluttering, its pole staked right through my heart. I knew of no one else who could use sighs as a lethal weapon."
