There is no easy way to connect the dots between the mostly fictional female characters in “Him, Me, Muhammad Ali,” Randa Jarrar’s debut collection of short stories, except that they are all of Middle Eastern descent and all deviate from the usual perceptions many Americans have about Arab women. “Him, Me, Muhammad Ali” follows Jarrar’s award-winning novel, 2008’s “A Map of Home” about a girl growing up between the Middle East and the U.S. Her own experience of moving between continents and cultures is reflected all over “Him, Me, Muhammad Ali,” through characters that always seem to be searching for that one place where they fit in. This collection is not flowery or sentimental, like many personal stories about the immigrant experience or Middle Eastern family life can be. 'Him, Me, Muhammad Ali' by Randa Jarrar Sarabande Books 'Him, Me, Muhammad Ali' by Randa Jarrar 'Him, Me, Muhammad Ali' by Randa Jarrar (Sarabande Books)“Him, Me, Muhammad Ali”Randa JarrarSarabande Books: 216 pp., $15.95 paper

Source: Los Angeles Times January 13, 2017 17:02 UTC