You Exist Too Much: A Novel
Written by Zaina Arafat
Narrated by Zehra Jane Naqvi
4/5
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About this audiobook
Told in vignettes that flash between the US and the Middle East, Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer. In Brooklyn, she moves into an apartment with her first serious girlfriend and tries to content herself with their comfortable relationship. But soon her longings, so closely hidden during her teenage years, explode out into reckless romantic encounters. Her desire to thwart her own destructive impulses will eventually lead her to The Ledge, an unconventional treatment center that identifies her affliction as "love addiction." In this strange, enclosed society she will start to consider the unnerving similarities between her own internal traumas and divisions and those of the places that have formed her.
You Exist Too Much is a captivating story charting two of our most intense longings-for love, and a place to call home.
Editor's Note
Captivating…
When the narrator, a Palestinian American teenager living in Bethlehem, comes out to her mother as queer, her mother responds with the titular “You exist too much.” This is one of many poignant scenes in Zaina Arafat’s beautiful debut novel that deals with identity (cultural, religious, sexual) and how hard it can be to grow up no matter what your circumstances.
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Reviews for You Exist Too Much
94 ratings5 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a mix of disappointment and enjoyment. Some readers were disappointed with the sudden shift in the story and the portrayal of the protagonist's emotions. However, others praised the book for its excellent writing and engaging narration. The author's openness about love and emotion resonated with male readers, and the incorporation of historical context added depth to the story. Overall, readers were captivated by the book and eager to explore more works by the author.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I'm so completely disappointed in the hard shift of chapter 14. She goes to therapy and has this big healing moment... and now suddenly she's totally smitten by a dude? She can't be both emotionally stable *and* queer? That's bullshit. I don't remember the last time I angry-quit a book without finishing, but here we are.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The reader is very talented. Easy to stay engaged and listen to this book!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Excellent book and writing but worst narration I’ve ever heard.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I could not “put” this book down. Listened to it on a 9 hour drive. I was so captivated by the telling of the story that before I knew it, I’d reached my destination. I love how Zaina laced the story with history about Palestine’s fight for their home <3 I’m looking forward to finding more books by this author!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written and the narrators voice seemingly fit perfectly.
Even though I am male, I found the authors openness about love and emotion and heartbreak to be freeing and help me reflect on my past relationships.