Pray the Gay Away

This book is surprisingly fantastic.I say “surprisingly” because it’s written by the Zakar Twins - models and social media sensations known for being sexy and naked and crazy a lot, e.g. auctioning sex toys molded from their own genitalia - so I bought the book not expecting more than some jokes and base titillation. (Because yes, I actually like how sexy and naked and crazy they are lol.) But as I started reading it? I quickly realized these guys have way more to say than can be clickbaited in Instagram posts and YouTube videos. PRAY THE GAY AWAY is in fact a tender, laugh-packed, and heartbreaking coming-of-age novel.It’s also a horror movie - with their mom as the monster. (Tho if this ever got made into a movie, whoever plays their mom would be a shoe-in for an Academy Award.)It’s also a pretty intriguing twin study; a nature vs. nurture exploration on how identical twins can be so similar - and so not!But mostly, it’s an outsider story. About being born different, then finding out you’re even more different than you thought.Because yeah, the authors’ background is unusual… unless you happen to be gay Iraqi-American twins raised in white Michigan by a religious fanatic. But the brothers somehow make it relatable af. Whether you’re younger or older, queer or straight, Mideasterny or Waspy, or somewhere between all of that… you feel strangely familiar with this weird world of theirs. Michael and Zach Zakar really pull off something special here. This may be their first book, but it’s clear these guys are born storytellers. And they’ve got lots of story to tell.

I’ve been following these boys for a couple of months on Instagram, and I finally decided to buy their book for my Kindle last week when I was house-sitting. I got way more than I expected!The first thing I noticed, and liked, about this book, was the chapter pattern. The twins alternate chapters, so you get a story from Michael, then one from Zach, back and forth, each one at a different age in their lives. While they explore the same themes, they don’t tell the same stories, so you don’t get a lot of “It was this way,” and “No, honey, it happened this way,” and they’re not contradicting each other except when they throw barbs about who was the fat twin and who was the ugly twin in high school.I also liked the honest and straightforward storytelling. There’s a little “Whoa is me” as well as some high drama mixed in with bad decisions, which is pretty much how I remember my youth from teen angst to twenties-wandering. Their dealings with their uber-religious mother and the coming out process (drama) are particularly engaging and will ring true with many of their readers. There’s a couple of laugh-out-loud moments, one in particular involving a considerable amount of holy water.If you’ve thought about getting this book, press the button and do so. It’s an easy read, and it’s a chance to actually get into the minds of these guys in addition to watching their escapades online. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I’ll read it again.

Such magic to this gem and truly a read for anyone who has ever been a teen, or felt out of place, or in love for the first time.....pretty much, anyone reading this review. Such a beautiful story being team-told here and done in a way that keeps you engaged; it will make you laugh, if you are open, it will make you cry, but guaranteed to give you all the feelz.One of my all-time favorite books is Disco Blood Bath/ Party Monster by James St. James, not only in content, but mostly in the unique way that it is told. In the same respect, Pray the Gay Away is told in the precise manner that the Zakar twins want you to experience it in; so casual and conversational, at times it almost feels like stories you would text your bestie at the end of an "interesting" day.You do not need to be gay or a boy or even a twin for that matter to enjoy this read and simultaneously, it isn't a watered version targeted for the masses. It is a tongue and cheek coming of age story that is told with such honesty and heart, that is hard not to get charmed into this one, only pages in. Not only is a feel good story, I absolutely would not discount the importance of the message of hope and happiness in our most awkward, vulnerable years in one's life. So glad the Zakar Twins invited us into their world for this one....can't wait to RSVP for the next!

This book really surprised me. I expected something kind of light, and it certainly is in many ways. It was funnier than I expected - I literally laughed out loud several times - but it’s also really meaningful too. It was like I felt all these different emotions along with the twins - confusion, happiness, loss, excitement, loneliness, anger, everything. When I finished the book, I felt like I had really gone through something with them, and all three of us came out on the other side for the better. It takes time to come to terms with your sexuality and realize who you are in this new context of your life. It’s like you have to reassemble yourself piece by piece; it’s not something that happens all at once. The twins give insight into what that was like for them, and I enjoyed going on that journey with them.

I happened upon the Zakar twins during a typical YouTube saunter and found myself watching all their videos in one go (see the Christmas sweater one, it's hilarious).This book has a lot of that humour, and a lot of serious and heartbreaking stories about growing up gay twins in a dysfunctional Iraqi family with a deeply religious mother.

im zweiten Teil liest es sich schon ziemlich pubertär. Sehr ehrlich, aber nicht wirklich erfreulich. Auch was sie auf Instagramm in letzter Zeit veröffentlichen klingt für mich ehr uncool. War enttäuscht.

The book started out interesting and degenerated into a self-indulgent bore. I wanted to get to know these twins and their story. It turns out they are boors. Mean and stupid. Their antics are silly and dangerous, they drive drunk or high. I’m sorry I read the book - i liked them better before I did.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my friend and heres his review he wanted me to post!What better way to start this review then by sharing the message I sent to the Zakar Twins immediately after reading their book."I don't even know what to say! How do I convince you I'm not sucking up? Other then, perhaps by now, you've already had hundreds or more, messages in your inbox. That was f#@$ing amazing! I put the book down and wrote this immediately after. Jeez, 'Wow', doesn't cover it, I don't know what does? You have created a modern masterpiece of gay autobiographical literature.I have no idea what is true. Some? All? The absolute genius of your writing style! As well I will never look at the cover the same way again...I need to find a way to promote your book in my own small way. I am so happy to have twin copies, of a book written by twins. Your story is real, it's raw, it is hilarity in the very details of life. It made me laugh and yes it indeed made me cry too. Your lives for as different as they are from everyone else's, are also full of similarities because your gay. It's a different level of connection in a way... I won't go on much further but I will say this, anyone who reads this book will feel closer to you both, and also learn a lot about what love is. Thank you for putting your lives out for others to see. To be honest I want more... I'd pay for the second book before a word was written."That folks, other then a few minor edits was what I sent. I couldn't wait to praise this book.Pray the Gay Away struck a chord and deserves recognition. It was uniquely crafted, and it was different. It goes beyond the confines of a "gay coming out story" or being shelved in the category of "gay autobiography" or "gay literature", it's more transcendent then that.This review is quite long as there are so many great things to say. How do I review a book so others will give it a chance? Gay, Straight, Bi, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, it doesn't really matter who you are, or how you identify. This is a book about two lives, and about life. Take a chance on discovering that the unique experiences of Gay arabic twins born in the US can teach lessons that are borderless and can be done with both the serious and hilarious sides of existence. There will be no regrets.Kevin Michael BeckOntario, Canada

Wasn't expecting much from it and took me a bit longer than usual to finish reading it,but the last part got me and reminded me a bit of my own experience in life.