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dptrs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
a_shelf_of_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
dreadinstoon's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
girlbeneathsea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
chi__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
soderholmirina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
jassiecones's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
afrathefish's review against another edition
4.5
4.5
this book couldn’t be more poignant, especially considering that it looks at the lives of palestinians in gaza specifically. when applied to today’s context… yeah. yeah.
abulhawa writes with such vivid candor that lends itself perfectly to this type of narrative. following several generations of families originating from gaza but finding themselves across the world, this book directly recounts the realities of being palestinian in todays world, how israel’s expansion has worked and how it carries out its colonial efforts, and the specific feeling that you don’t have a place to go back to , that is distinctly palestinian, as more and more of their land gets illegally taken from them. the day to day liberties that they are denied, and how these experiences culminate into an existence defined by struggle. it also depicts the small joys, and how those joys come about. abulhawa also perfectly describes the role of religion in enduring these experiences, and as such, how religion comes to define and dictate a community. you see such dynamics play out in the west, but in much different circumstances. the subtle nuances caught in the writing also gives one much to think about. referring to the israelis as “the jews”, and what this means for the wider conflict … . abulhawa also writes with such vividness; every character felt real, tangible, and it’s what made these experiences feel so much more harrowing. you felt the horror when things were happening. and the ending . oh my god. how beautifully poetic. whenever i now think of gaza i think oh it as the space existing within the blue between the sky and water.
the only issue i had with it were specific triggers, but i guess that was on me for not reading them up before.
this book couldn’t be more poignant, especially considering that it looks at the lives of palestinians in gaza specifically. when applied to today’s context… yeah. yeah.
abulhawa writes with such vivid candor that lends itself perfectly to this type of narrative. following several generations of families originating from gaza but finding themselves across the world, this book directly recounts the realities of being palestinian in todays world, how israel’s expansion has worked and how it carries out its colonial efforts, and the specific feeling that you don’t have a place to go back to , that is distinctly palestinian, as more and more of their land gets illegally taken from them. the day to day liberties that they are denied, and how these experiences culminate into an existence defined by struggle. it also depicts the small joys, and how those joys come about. abulhawa also perfectly describes the role of religion in enduring these experiences, and as such, how religion comes to define and dictate a community. you see such dynamics play out in the west, but in much different circumstances. the subtle nuances caught in the writing also gives one much to think about. referring to the israelis as “the jews”, and what this means for the wider conflict … . abulhawa also writes with such vividness; every character felt real, tangible, and it’s what made these experiences feel so much more harrowing. you felt the horror when things were happening. and the ending . oh my god. how beautifully poetic. whenever i now think of gaza i think oh it as the space existing within the blue between the sky and water.
the only issue i had with it were specific triggers, but i guess that was on me for not reading them up before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Torture, and War
niamhyjay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Moderate: Pedophilia