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Both Not Half

A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity

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Both Not Half

By: Jassa Ahluwalia
Narrated by: Jassa Ahluwalia
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About this listen

 GOLD WINNER OF 'BEST NARRATOR' AT THE AUDIO PRODUCTION AWARDS.

'This guy has better Punjabi than both of us and he's only half Punjabi.' Only. Half. I stared at those words. The intent behind the comment was in no way malicious, but it hurt. I felt diminished. I felt like I was being robbed of something essential to me. And as I stared at my screen, realisation dawned. '#bothnothalf' I replied.

For over twenty-five years, actor Jassa Ahluwalia described himself as 'half Indian, half English'. His fluent Punjabi always prompted bewilderment, medical staff questioned the legitimacy of his name, and the world of casting taught him he wasn't 'the right kind of mixed-race'. Feeling caught between two worlds, it wasn't long before Jassa embarked on a call to action: we need to change how we think and talk about mixed identity.

By delving into the media we grew up consuming and the legacies of empire we have been taught, Ahluwalia asks: is there anything to be learnt from Rudyard Kipling? Why were movie stars urged to hide their mixed identities? To what extent did colonialism encourage or hinder mixed marriages? Is nationalism outdated? How can the politics of class and queer liberation inform our understanding of mixed identity?

Both Not Half is a rallying cry for a new and inclusive future. It's a journey of self-discovery that unearths the historical roots of modern mixed identity as we know it, braving to deconstruct the binaries we have inherited and the narratives we passively accept. Part-memoir, part-manifesto: this is a campaign for belonging in a divided world.

This immersive audiobook includes exclusive audio clips from Jassa 's Ted Talk, original audio from self-tapes, a bonus conversation with his sister Ramanique Ahluwalia, and much more.©2024 Jassa Ahluwalia (P)2024 Bonnier Books UK Cultural & Regional LGBTQIA+

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Critic reviews

"Full of warmth, humour, optimism and sometimes painful honesty" (WILLIAM DALRYMPLE)

"Anyone who's ever struggled to make sense of who they are and where they belong should read this book" (NADIA WHITTOME MP)

"An important voice of our generation" (PARMINDER NAGRA)
All stars
Most relevant
Honestly Jassa, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, so many eye opening parts that made me even question my own self with certain topics, Hearing you talk about sikhi in the way you did is always something I try to explain to people and you put it perfectly x

Such an exciting and fascinating listen

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This really resonated with me, I’m an immigrant from a mixed ethnic background and both not half helped me understand and define my own identity.

Incredible must read on mixed identity

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In Both Not Half, the author masterfully explores the quest for identity in a world of complexity and multiplicity. I found this book to be a beacon, shedding light on the often mysterious journey of self-actualization. It skillfully reframes misconceptions about mixed identity, offering a powerful testament to the beauty of multifaceted connections across diverse histories. Beyond that, it serves as a manifesto, challenging the entertainment industry to fully understand how rigid, binary definitions of identity can be limiting. Instead, it celebrates the richness of a multi-dimensional existence and speaks to those who have struggled to find their place in the world.

An ode to the ‘campur’ (Malay/Indonesian for ‘mixed’)

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Brought me to tears more than once. As a Leicester boy as well, of mixed race it felt like he was singing my story.

Mixed race identity explored with panache

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It’s heartfelt; Jassa’s story will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. It made me miss my grandparents, made me miss not living down the road from my own parents but appreciate them that much more. As a Punjabi, sahajdhari Sikh so much of this book resonated with me but I also learnt more about politics, identity and belonging than I thought I would. I can’t wait to talk about this book with everyone and get them to read it, especially the older students that I teach - there’s so much here that I’m sure will help them on their own journeys. Thank you Jassa for sharing your journey with us all.

So many people will be able to relate to Jassa’s story…

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