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blueghost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
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
afrathefish's review against another edition
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.
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Torture, and War
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Colonisation
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
lizziejem's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child abuse and War
stmagda'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
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Rape, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and War
erinmcav'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, Rape, and War
Moderate: Eating disorder
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
megansoetaert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Abulhawa made me connect with the characters so strongly, even with such a large cast. Nazmiyeh is such a spectacular character and i felt like i really knew her.
This book tells the story of the intense violence and oppression that Palestinians experienced (and still experience) at the hands of Israeli settlers & military. It was so emotional & often hard to read, but a very important story to be told. The main family’s love for each other connected the characters and kept hope alive despite everything.
Free Palestine past & present. From the river to the sea! 🇵🇸
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Rape, Violence, Colonisation, and War