Chambers is extremely proud that Mohsin Zaidi’s memoir ‘A Dutiful Boy’ is published today, 20 August 2020. This exceptional and brave book highlights Mohsin’s personal experiences as a young, gay Muslim. Chambers supports Mohsin’s outstanding work in promoting gay and ethnic minority rights and we are grateful to him for providing such an inspirational example to others looking to pursue a career at the Bar.
As described by his publishers, Penguin Random House:
“Mohsin has written a 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.”
These are but a selection of the universally glowing reviews:
‘A beautifully written, heartrending story of a young gay man’s journey, liberation and love. A real page-turner that sparks with humanity and hope’ Lord Michael Cashman
‘This is the story of a family’s love, a battle with shame and a long journey to acceptance. It is deeply moving and profoundly important and it made me cry. If you liked The Boy with the Topknot by Sathnam Sanghera or Educated by Tara Westover, you will also love this book’ Elizabeth Day
‘An incredibly hopeful, urgent and well told coming of age story about religion, class, and LGBTQ+ acceptance – no doubt reading it will save someone’s life’ Amelia Abraham
‘The moving personal story of a gay Muslim’s tribulations and triumphs at the interface of family, faith and freedom, told with great candour and eloquence’ Peter Tatchell
‘His engaging memoir of his long road to happiness and acceptance by his family is moving and inspiring’ Bookseller
‘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
‘A powerful read. In fact, searing in places… vivid and told me a lot about my country… ultimately uplifting’ Lionel Barber
‘A wonderful book. I really do think that everyone should read it’ Mark Haddon
‘A deeply-moving account…a must-read’ Tatler
‘A remarkable memoir…an incredibly moving read. I had to put the book down several times to cry…it’s a book that will save lives’ Sathnam Sanghera, The Times
‘A Dutiful Boy’ has featured in the Sunday Times and Tatler. Mohsin’s interview in the Sunday Times magazine can be read here.
