Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Against the Loveless World

There were many times this book brought me to tears, but not because of the violence or sadness, but rather the hope and determination that empowered our MC.

In 2023, this story hits home in a way that pulls me out of despair and makes me want to fight for Gaza.

The connection of Baldwin was particularly poignant and the love in this story was earnest and felt near tangible.

I would love everyone to read this beautiful, haunting book.

Content Warnings

mnatalie_writes's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective 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

5.0

Everyone should read this book.

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carmentxx's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-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

i am speechless. this book is incredible. i have not read such a beautiful story, so heart wrenching, so heart aching, in such a long time. reading this story has broken my heart and has given me the hope to try and heal it again. free palestine. from the river to the sea.

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samdalefox's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was on my to-read list for a while, and now felt the right time to read it (October-November 2023) as the genocide is underway. It feels like one more small (indirect) action of solidarity I can do, to understand the personal lives of Palestinians. The story follows protagonist, young Palestinian woman Nahr, and how her life unfolds being displaced, discriminated againist, exploited, and punished for pursuing resistance against Israel. It is a finctional story made up of various peoples' real-life experiences. As such, the story feels very realistic, which makes the violence even more horrible.

This was a glorious and heart wrenching scream of Palestinian identity. Nahr is a woman of many names and many countries. The narrative showcases the challenges faced by the Palestinian people while emphasizing their remarkable resilience, demonstrating their capacity to find hope and joy amidst heartbreak and injustice. It is an ordinary tale that showcases the extraordinary spirit of Palestinian people. Tough to get through (see content warnings), but a great way to get people to recognise Palestinians as wonderful, complex, oppressed people who need our solidarity and support.

Favourite quotes

"I find that reporters and writers that come here don't actually want to listen to me or hear my thoughts, except where I might validate what they already believe" .

"I had not known the extent of our subordination until I knew what it meant to be respected."

"When powerless, following world events only highlights your impotence"

"I should have said it again, that her embroidery was more special than any desk job could be, that she was an artist, that western images of professional women don't have to apply to us, that concepts of respectability and modernity or manufactured".

"The ceaseless accumulation of injustice made me want to fight the world"

"Can something expected still be surprising?"

"The belonging and acceptance I had found was an illusion."

"I colonised the colonisers' space of authority. I made myself free in chains and held that courtroom captive to my freedom."

"The state will always find a way to imprison those who are truly free. Who do not accept social, economic, or political chains."

"You must accept them and accept them with love, for these innocent people have no other hope. They are in effect still trapped in a history which they do not understand and until they understand it, they cannot be released from it." - James Baldwin

Content Warnings

ka_cam's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Ooph, an intense read. Nahr’s rage and numbness at the violence she experiences and witnesses are at time visceral in this reflective navigation of a Palestinian woman in Istraeli solitary confinement reflecting on her life in Kuwait, Jordan, and Palestine. Doesn’t shy away from sexual, structural, and interpersonal violence so please mind the content warnings. I felt the Palestinian characters could have been a bit less rosy/more complex, but with the narrator’s shifting mental state what lacks in the story can be excused for the narrator. Compellingly and sometimes beautifully written esp for such heavy subjects. Highly, highly recommend

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epellicci's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A compelling must read, that places the people of Palestine squarely in control of their narrative's. Despite its violence and tragedy, Against the Loveless World is a book about love. It is impossible not to be drawn in by Abulhawa's characters, and to be moved be their tenacity, spirit and commitment to one another and their right to home.

Nahr is a woman searching for her identity - a journey that begins in Kuwait, and eventually through trauma, struggle and joy ends in Palestine. Told between flashbacks and present day Nahr as she suffers through 16 years of solitary confinement in "The Cube", it is a declaration of survival, and a harrowing portrait of life under colonisation and impossible decisions. She is unquestionably a figure of strength. Unbearably honest at times, she inspires empathy and admiration, whether you are able to agree with all her choices or not. This book was haunting. Something I shall return to again and again.

Content Warnings

battlecat's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-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? No

5.0

Wow.

Nahr is an incredible voice truly “against a loveless world.” The trauma she endures is difficult to read. The love and kinship and belonging she finds and makes in the midst of turmoil is a powerful statement. I read this book in a day and will definitely be rereading.

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