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chi__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Deportation
Minor: Addiction
linhsreadinghour's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The writing is beautiful and the family’s daily life and struggles was seemingly interwoven into the narrative and story, casting a real reflection on life in occupied Gaza. Has disability rep, themes of grief, lost, but also sisterhood, resilience and hope. An illuminating book.
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
hayley4297's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and War
celinechdh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
It’s hard to imagine a more timely and relevant book right now than The Blue Between Sky and Water. It’s the story of one Palestinian family forced to leave their village of Beit Daras in 1948 due to Zionist attacks. They first fled to refugee camps in Gaza and from there some members dispersed internationally. This book looks at the lasting impact of continuing Israeli attacks and forced dispersal over several generations.
While there is definitely trauma in this book - death, permanent injury, imprisonment, cancer with no access to proper treatment, and sexual assault - the story is about more than trauma. It’s a story of resilience and determination, one full of strong memorable women and bonds that transcend time and place, and of family members finding their way back to each other despite the odds. There’s joy and a zest for life, dances, parties and bawdy jokes - but always set against the background of what has been lost, stolen, unfairly taken away.
If you are looking for a fictional book that will give you some understanding of what Palestinian people have lived through and continue to live through then this book - or any other by Susan Abulhawa - would be an excellent choice. It’s an example of beautifully written powerful storytelling.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Genocide, and Rape
charleyroxy's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Abortion