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How It All Blew Up

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( 4,887 ratings, 1,038 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi is a compelling young adult novel that follows the story of Amir Azadi, a gay Iranian-American teenager. After being blackmailed about his sexuality, Amir flees to Rome, where he explores his identity against the backdrop of the vibrant and liberating city. The narrative is cleverly structured, weaving together Amir's introspective journey with a gripping airport interrogation that illuminates the complexities of cultural and personal identity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in stories of self-discovery and cultural exploration. The narrative follows an inspiring journey of a young protagonist navigating identity, family expectations, and personal freedom, set against vibrant cultural backdrops that bring the journey to life. This book may appeal to you if you enjoy heartfelt, relatable tales with a touch of humour and insight into contemporary issues faced by young adults.

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The power of finding yourself, finding your people and living your truth

The power of finding yourself, finding your people and living your truth

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Arvin Ahmadi has written a novel that is authentic, hilarious, and heart-wrenching all at once. A unique point of view combined with riveting storytelling, How It All Blew Up will grab you from the first page and won't let go β€” Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give and On The Come Up.

Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be messy, but he wasn't expecting it to end in an airport interrogation room. Now, he's telling his side of the story to the stern-faced officer.

Amir has to explain why he ran away to Rome (boys, bullies, blackmail) and what he was doing there for a month (dates in the Sistine Chapel, friends who helped him accept who he is, and, of course, drama) . . . all while his mum, dad, and little sister are being interrogated in the room next door.

A nuanced take on growing up brown, Muslim, and gay in today's America, How It All Blew Up is the story of one boy's struggle to come out to his family, and how that painful process exists right alongside his silly, sexy romp through Italy.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi has been described as a compelling and clever story that offers an achingly honest exploration of identity. Katherine Webber notes that it resonates with anyone grappling with self-discovery, while iNews highlights it as a wild ride centred on finding one's true self in unexpected places.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781471409929

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 September 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hot Key Books

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 256g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Arvin Ahmadi is the author of two previous critically-acclaimed novels, Down and Across (2018) and Girl Gone Viral (2019). He grew up outside Washington DC, graduated from Columbia University, and worked in the tech industry prior to becoming a full-time writer. When he's not reading or writing books, he can be found watching late-night talk-show interviews and editing Wikipedia pages. He lives in New York City.

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