A Dutiful Boy by Mohsin Zaidi

Winner of the 2021 Polari First Book prize
A Guardian Best Book of the Year      
A GQ Best Book of the Year 
A New Statesman Best Book of the Year

Discover a powerful coming of age memoir about growing up queer in a strict Muslim household.

Mohsin grew up in a poor pocket of east London, in a devout shia Muslim community. His family were close-knit and religiously conservative. From a young age, Mohsin felt different but in a home where being gay was inconceivable he also felt very alone.

Outside of home Mohsin went to a failing inner city school where gang violence was a fact of life. As he grew up life didn't seem to offer teenage Mohsin any choices: he was disenfranchised from opportunity and isolated from his family as a closet gay Muslim.

But Mohsin had incredible drive and became the first person from his school to go to Oxford University. At university came the newfound freedom to become the man his parents never wanted him to be. But when he was confronted by his father and a witch doctor invited to 'cure' him Mohsin had to make a difficult choice.

Mohsin's story takes harrowing turns but it is full of life and humour, and, ultimately, it is an inspiring story about breaking through life's barriers.
 
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'A Dutiful Boy delivers an intimate account of the anguish of one man's gay, Muslim, coming-of-age story, and reveals something important about us all in the process,' Afua Hirsch

'I can't recommend A Dutiful Boy enough, I couldn't put it down. A journey of self-discovery, longing, triumph and hope. I fell in love with Mohsin, I imagine you will too,' Suzi Ruffell
 
'Beautifully written, dignified, humane and ultimately redemptive, this challenging story abounds with light and love.' - Uli Lenart, Attitude