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jouljet'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Genocide, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Colonisation, 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
zahrareads'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
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Grief, and Colonisation
abbie_'s review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Rape, Violence, Colonisation, and War
catherineelkhattabystrauch'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, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Miscarriage and Abortion
glitterdyke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, 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
jamesflint's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Pedophilia
Minor: Torture