Life as a Unicorn by Amrou Al-Kadhi
Last updated: 3 October 2026
Life as a Unicorn is Amrou Al-Kadhi's memoir about growing up in a devout Muslim family, coming out as queer and becoming the drag performer Glamrou. It won the Polari First Book Prize in 2020 and a Somerset Maugham Award. On 3 October 2026 Amazon UK had the 304-page Fourth Estate paperback at £7.46, down from a list price of £9.99, with seven in stock.
Buy Life as a Unicorn on Amazon UK, £7
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What Life as a Unicorn is about
Al-Kadhi writes that they knew they were gay at the age of ten, when they first saw Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. Their parents did not take it well. The book follows the years after that, as Al-Kadhi tries to reconcile their faith, their family and their sexuality. Then they find a home on stage in drag.
The publisher, HarperCollins, describes the book as "hilarious yet devastating". So the book mixes jokes with scenes of family conflict. It follows Al-Kadhi from a god-fearing childhood to performing in seven-inch heels.
Prizes and editions
Fourth Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins, first published the memoir in hardback. The paperback followed on 23 July 2020. That year it won the Polari First Book Prize, which goes to a debut book exploring the LGBTQ+ experience. It also won a Somerset Maugham Award, given by the Society of Authors to writers under 35. HarperCollins also sells it as an ebook and an audiobook.
Key facts
- Author: Amrou Al-Kadhi
- Full title: Life as a Unicorn: A Journey from Shame to Pride and Everything in Between
- Publisher: Fourth Estate
- This edition: paperback, 23 July 2020
- Length: 304 pages, 12.9 x 19.8cm
- ISBN: 9780008306106
- Price: £7.46 on Amazon UK on 3 October 2026, list price £9.99
- Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 from 428 ratings on Amazon UK, checked the same day
Who it suits
- Readers of queer memoir: it covers coming out from inside a devout Muslim family, told by a British writer.
- Drag fans: the book follows how Al-Kadhi became the drag queen Glamrou.
- Fans of LGBTQ+ fiction: it pairs well with The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, a novel in verse about a teenager who finds himself through drag.
The limits
The book deals with family rejection and religious conflict, so it is not a light read despite the jokes. Readers looking for a history of drag or of queer Muslim communities will not find one here, because it stays with one person's story. The paperback had seven copies left on Amazon UK when we checked, although Amazon showed more on the way.
Where to buy it in the UK
Amazon UK had the Fourth Estate paperback at £7.46 on 3 October 2026, with more stock on the way.
Life as a Unicorn on Amazon UK
FAQs
What is Life as a Unicorn about?
It is Amrou Al-Kadhi's memoir of growing up gay in a devout Muslim family and finding a way to live openly, partly through performing in drag as Glamrou.
What awards has Life as a Unicorn won?
The Polari First Book Prize in 2020 and a Somerset Maugham Award.
Who publishes Life as a Unicorn?
Fourth Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins. The paperback came out on 23 July 2020.
How much does Life as a Unicorn cost in the UK?
Amazon UK had the paperback at £7.46 on 3 October 2026. The list price is £9.99.
Is there an audiobook of Life as a Unicorn?
Yes. HarperCollins sells the audiobook, and it is also available on Audible.
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