Najla SaidLooking For Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family

Very easy to read with sense of humor.it is an eternal delema for first generation immigrant torn between 2 worlds.

To put it quite simply this book is a young woman's coming-of-age story, albeit in the midst of a famous father (he is the reason the word 'Oriental' is no longer used to describe people of Asian descent) and a complicated mix of backgrounds.I was not aware of Edward Said before reading this book, so I went into it without any expectation I had originally found the book when searching for memoirs, for books about the human experience and was drawn to the way that the description of this book included her cultural confusion. I found it to be an eye opening and engaging read that was written with candor at the same time being informative about what is happening in the middle east as well as her own personal journey about finding her identity.

Edward Said's daughter clearly does not live off her father's fame and identity. The book is written in the first person with simple grace and her own personal "struggles" are not used as an excuse nor a shield. She speaks of them in a forthright manner which is both refreshing and honest.And it is this honesty ( coupled with an underlying humour) that captivates the reader.Indeed a pleasant read providing an insight into the life and "concerns" of a young girl born to proud, educated and broad minded Palestinians in America.. The fact that she has "branched" out on her own is a testiment to her on personal strength and a credit to her amazing parents .

This is the story of Najla Said, the daughter of renown the late Edward Said, activist, philosopher, genius. In her words she describes growing up in NY, in a predominantly Jewish community, and her struggles with identity, culture, and her father's fame. Anyone who has grown up in the world of multiple identities, can relate to the book. Its not political, and not much to do with the Palestinian crisis except as seen through the eyes of a young lady, mostly as an outsider, trying to come to terms with it all.

This is a beautiful, sensitive, brilliantly insightful memoir about what it was like growing up in America with an intense sense of "otherness". I'm almost exactly the same age as the author and I remember very clearly the incidents she describes from the eighties and nineties: the pervasive anti-Arab stereotypes, the feeling of growing up in a private school, New York City environment where despite some (limited) attempts at inclusiveness, blonde was still presented as the ideal version of beauty. However the book made me realize my privilege as a Jewish American: as much as I wished I was a WASP, and felt that would somehow make life "easier", there were other Jews around, and people talked about Hanukkah. No one talked about Arabs or Arab identity, except in the context of "terrorism". I loved reading about Najla Said's family, and their warmth, humanity, compassion, love for all humans of any background, ethnicity or religion.I think she did a wonderful job of demonstrating that growing up with two devoted parents: a famous, revered father and a strong brilliant-in-her-own-right mother-still didn't protect her from the pain of growing up in a pervasively prejudiced world filled with vicious, unfounded stereotypes about Arabs. Amazing book, highly recommended. I hope there will be more from this author in the future!