You’re Not a Girl in a Movie Audiobook By Hala Alyan cover art

You’re Not a Girl in a Movie

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You’re Not a Girl in a Movie

By: Hala Alyan
Narrated by: Hala Alyan
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About this listen

"In poem after poem, there is raw emotion, straightforward storytelling, and unapologetic truth.” (NPR)

There exists, within [Alyan’s] poems, the cacophony that pervades our most intimate of relationships, a glistering sheen covering even the most banal interactions. Her poems feel as familiar as the prayers we make up in our own minds...they’re a quiet triumph, sacred and profane, and, most of all, grounded in humanity." (Nylon)

You’re Not a Girl in a Movie is a new collection of powerful poems by Hala Alyan, winner of the Arab American Book Award in Poetry and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. In these nine extraordinary poems, Alyan wrestles with the intimate themes that have driven her acclaimed body of work to date: the aching loss of homeland, the image and worth of women, and the violence of love. In Beirut, Brooklyn, and roads in the American West, she unravels the effects of decades of war and displacement on love and human worth and identity. She speaks to mothers and grandmothers, past lovers and friends, and through her shimmering, wrenching glimpses of internal and political chaos, pleads for home.

©2020 Hala Alyan (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.
Inspirational & Religious Inspiring Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping
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About the Creator and Performer

Hala Alyan is a Palestinian American writer and clinical psychologist whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, in The New York Times, Guernica and elsewhere. Her poetry collections have won the Arab American Book Award and the Crab Orchard Series.

What listeners say about You’re Not a Girl in a Movie

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Enticing and Beautiful

In such a strange way, supremely relatable. Spoken with beautiful cadence that it reaches to your heart and resurfaces memories just as they play out in your mind as in times past. I feel a the more creative and cultured.

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Stunning, moving, emotional honest, and enduring!

This story told in deep poetry is quite powerful; and immensely personal, provocative... If you want to have a time of interspection - you will have one at the end of this audible experience. it's a story of remembrance, dignity, regret and hopes for a future. Yes, this story is her story. However, her experience and thoughts will undoubtedly lead the listener to reminisce about their own family history, upbringing faults and failures, hopes and dreams - doubts and expectations! Because of Ms. Alyan's willingness to be so transparent and "Fragile" all that hear this effort, will be all the better for it.

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Moving

A beautiful and moving listen. A gorgeous way to start a quiet/peaceful morning. Bless your soul with this read and allow her to open up the parts of you that you have let grow cold.

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Simply beautiful!

Beautiful and moving poetry superbly read by the poet. Kept me thinking all day. I love this and will listen many times!

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wow!

these poems are soe incredibly moving. I say speechless for a few minutes after each. These moved me in a way poetry doesn't normally. I will probably listen to these many many times.

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Poignant. Powerful. To the Point.

INCREDIBLE! Each poem is so powerful and breathtaking (shoutout to The Gods of Beirut and In an Argument, My Love Calls Me Fragile). Not to mention an invigorating and passionate reading from the author herself which always elevates the experience. A collection that captures an accurate portrayal of our modern world, yet will undoubtedly remain timeless.

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Keep in library...

Raw, uncensored and emotional
Slit throat and to the point, I absolutely love it
Thank you Hala

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Excellent!

Was hesitant after reading other reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. Thoroughly enjoyed the authors perspective and social commentary.

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Sounds beautiful

Emotionally cutting. It sounds beautiful and I can certainly understand why it was recorded. It is driving me a bit crazy that I can’t study the poems visually. I think that I could learn from the poet’s style.
Love it and will listen to it again!

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try it

if your subscription has it included, get it. so much real feelings in the recital

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