What is the author's tone in the memoir, We Have Always Been Here?

Samra Habib writes with authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty. She shares a lot of personal details with openness, inviting readers into her internal life. She uses five-sense imagery to evoke scenes and places viscerally, making particular use of the sense of smell with language choices that emphasize aromas such as "cardamom," "rose oil," and "sandalwood" (9, 151, 147). These word choices characterize the places and people in her descriptions with visceral and evocative language that allow the reader to further immerse themself in the experiential qualities of the narrative. When writing about her parents and their failing or flaws, Samra is never vitriolic or overly critical. She is honest in her portrayal of them but approaches their characterization with a compassion that is reflected in her tone. For example, these two quotes demonstrate the multiple facets of her father's character and her portrayal of him: "We knew that our relationship with our father was always transactional. So I didn’t ask him for anything. [...] Then, in a rare gesture of tenderness, he put his arm around me. I held back tears and stayed still, strangely comforted by his hot breath on my face" (73). Samra is conscientious and considerate when it comes to telling both her story and the stories of others. This compassionate tone makes her a sympathetic character and narrator. Furthermore, her openness, authenticity, and vulnerability endear her to readers. Despite the unique circumstances of her life, Samra is relatable largely due to her authenticity. This is exemplified in the letter she writes to her childhood self and chooses to include in the book: "You’ll get to know many things: how it feels to inspire people and to discover kindness in unexpected places, how the sunrise looks on opposite sides of the world, and how smart and brilliant your siblings are. But most important: yourself. You’ll be okay, because your curiosity will lead you to where you need to be" (216-217).

Samra's tone is accessible also due to her language and word choices. She does not use advanced vocabulary, making the book accessible to readers at a high school level and above. Her occasional use of foreign language words also contributes to the authenticity of her storytelling and helps to immerse the reader in the cultural world she is describing. Using foreign words never limits the reader's comprehension as their meaning is always made clear by the surrounding context.