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Stripped: A Memoir
STRIPPED is the raw and unfiltered journey of survival, love, and resilience. In this gripping memoir, follow the harrowing tale of a gay Syrian man imprisoned for simply being himself. From the darkness of captivity to the hidden world of underground LGBTQ communities, witness the courage as he unveils a clandestine realm never revealed before. Amidst the shadows, he finds solace in a forbidden love story that transcends boundaries and defies odds as he navigates a tumultuous romance with a Swiss journalist. STRIPPED is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of identity, the beauty of love, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
“This book is an appeal against indifference, and it is, above all, the story of a dignified triumph of the human will, a “yes” to life, despite all obstacles.”
Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich
“This book is an appeal against indifference, and it is, above all, the story of a dignified triumph of the human will, a “yes” to life, despite all obstacles.”
Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich
Hardcover
Published January 1, 2025
About the author
Lucian S.
4 books3 followersLucian S. is a Swiss author of Syrian descent whose work explores identity, desire, and belonging.
He began with Stripped: A Memoir, followed by his fiction debut The President: A Queer Utopia, a bestseller. He later published his second novel, Aschenbach Syndrome, also a bestseller.
He began with Stripped: A Memoir, followed by his fiction debut The President: A Queer Utopia, a bestseller. He later published his second novel, Aschenbach Syndrome, also a bestseller.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 23, 2024
This debut work by the young Syrian author is a truly unique work that provides unprecedented insights into the society and underground queer life of his home country, written in a courageous and unvarnished manner. And: it is an inspiring, boundary-breaking love story that only great literature can produce. In short: this book deserves the spotlight.
August 6, 2024
When I read this compelling memoir, I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning I was eager to know more about this hidden world, a Syria for a pursued minority, that gives an exclusive insight for Western readers, how it has never been done before. The injustice of a system that silences people who simply are different makes you wanna cry out loud. At every sentence you feel for the author, who just wants to be himself, nothing more. But through a deep knowledge of himself and an inspiring resilience, Lucian S. manages to face every possible adversity in a corrupt, misleaded and injust society. Through the power of love he finds the strength to endure all the odds against him. We follow his journey in a breathtaking run against time and authorities that reminds us of a Kafkaesque, almost absurd, fight against a state that is discriminating almost on purpose the unpriviledged. After his escape from his home country, the author is forced to live in miserable conditions in a run down country nearby where only money rules. But Lucian S. refuses to give up, no matter how lonely or miserable he is. The unraveling of the plan to join his beloved boyfriend in Switzerland reads like a thriller. Every chapter is a pageturner haunted by the constant fear that something might go wrong. At the end of this amazing journey, we know Lucian S., how he thinks, how he speaks but most of all how strong he is. An inspiring story of a survivor.
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March 8, 2026This is my first review of a book ever, at least on the internet.
Well, I have much to say, but I think it will be worth your time.
In Stripped, Lucian S. offers readers an unflinching, powerful, and heart-wrenching memoir that transcends the ordinary and delves deep into the essence of human resilience and love. This book is a masterpiece of storytelling, capturing the harrowing yet inspiring journey of a gay Syrian guy whose only crime was his identity.
From the very first page, Stripped grips you with its raw authenticity and emotional depth. Lucian S. vivid narrative brings to life the oppressive darkness of imprisonment, painting a stark picture of the brutal realities faced by lgbtq individuals in regions where their existence is criminalized. Yet, amidst the bleakness, there is an unyielding thread of hope and resilience that refuses to be extinguished.
The memoir does more than just recount the horrors of captivity; it unveils a hidden world of underground lgbtq communities that thrive in the shadows. Through his eyes, I was given a rare and poignant glimpse into a clandestine realm, where courage is the currency and love is a rebellious act of defiance. The narrative is as much a tribute to these unsung heroes as it is a personal testament.
One of the most compelling aspects of Stripped is the profound love story that blooms in the most unlikely of places. The romance between the author and a Swiss journalist is not just a subplot; it is the beating heart of the memoir. Their relationship, forged in the crucible of adversity, is depicted with such tenderness and sincerity that it transcends the pages, reminding us of love's power to heal, transform, and defy all odds.
This beautiful red book is not merely a memoir; it is a call and a plea for empathy, and an affirmation of the indomitable human spirit. This guy's journey from the depths of despair to finding love is a testament to the strength of identity and the beauty of living one's truth. It challenged me to confront my own preconceptions and to recognize the universal desire for love and acceptance.
In a world where stories like this are often silenced, especially in his case as a self-published author with no publishing house to take his voice worldwide, Stripped is a vital and necessary voice. It is a must-read. Lucian has crafted a memoir that is as enlightening as it is heart-rending, a true victory in the landscape of LGBTQ literature.
This extraordinary memoir moved, enlightened, and profoundly changed me. In hope that this young author will continue in writing. personally, I can't wait to see what he still has to give.
Well, I have much to say, but I think it will be worth your time.
In Stripped, Lucian S. offers readers an unflinching, powerful, and heart-wrenching memoir that transcends the ordinary and delves deep into the essence of human resilience and love. This book is a masterpiece of storytelling, capturing the harrowing yet inspiring journey of a gay Syrian guy whose only crime was his identity.
From the very first page, Stripped grips you with its raw authenticity and emotional depth. Lucian S. vivid narrative brings to life the oppressive darkness of imprisonment, painting a stark picture of the brutal realities faced by lgbtq individuals in regions where their existence is criminalized. Yet, amidst the bleakness, there is an unyielding thread of hope and resilience that refuses to be extinguished.
The memoir does more than just recount the horrors of captivity; it unveils a hidden world of underground lgbtq communities that thrive in the shadows. Through his eyes, I was given a rare and poignant glimpse into a clandestine realm, where courage is the currency and love is a rebellious act of defiance. The narrative is as much a tribute to these unsung heroes as it is a personal testament.
One of the most compelling aspects of Stripped is the profound love story that blooms in the most unlikely of places. The romance between the author and a Swiss journalist is not just a subplot; it is the beating heart of the memoir. Their relationship, forged in the crucible of adversity, is depicted with such tenderness and sincerity that it transcends the pages, reminding us of love's power to heal, transform, and defy all odds.
This beautiful red book is not merely a memoir; it is a call and a plea for empathy, and an affirmation of the indomitable human spirit. This guy's journey from the depths of despair to finding love is a testament to the strength of identity and the beauty of living one's truth. It challenged me to confront my own preconceptions and to recognize the universal desire for love and acceptance.
In a world where stories like this are often silenced, especially in his case as a self-published author with no publishing house to take his voice worldwide, Stripped is a vital and necessary voice. It is a must-read. Lucian has crafted a memoir that is as enlightening as it is heart-rending, a true victory in the landscape of LGBTQ literature.
This extraordinary memoir moved, enlightened, and profoundly changed me. In hope that this young author will continue in writing. personally, I can't wait to see what he still has to give.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews