I'm In Seattle, Where Are You? ★★★☆☆

I'm In Seattle, Where Are You? (Click Here To Buy)

★★★☆☆ (3.5 Stars)

I’m In Seattle, Where Are You? by Mortada Gzar is a memoir about an Iraqi man and the Black American soldier he falls in love with.

I put this book on hold at the library on it’s publication date based on the title alone and have been patiently waiting as it was on order.

Mortada begins his memoir as he arrives in Seattle in search of his lover, Morise. While in Iraq, they had always talked about how Mortada would call Morise when he arrived and say, “I’m in Seattle, where are you?” The only problem is Mortada doesn’t know how to find Morise. While living with the cross-dressing, HIV+ men in their 70s, Mortada explores Seattle, as well as his own history to anyone who will listen. Mortada recounts growing up as a homosexual man in Iraq and the violence, torture, and murder that gay men face there. He discusses what it was like to be in a relationship with an American soldier and keeping it a secret. He also recounts what it is like to love and to long for someone you are apart from and searching for.

This was such an unique way to write a memoir. In addition to being a writer, Gzar is also an artist and each chapter would have a characterized drawing that related. The structure was a bit loose - at one point Gzar is recounting his story to the tip of his nose and at another time to a dog - but overall I really learned a lot about what gay men in Iraq face, which is quite horrid. It was a bonus to know about and have visited the places Gzar discusses in Seattle.

If you liked I’m In Seattle, Where Are You?, I also recommend In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulawa, The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi, and Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of Your Fist by Sunil Yapa.

Happy reading ~

Ms.Bjork