Scan barcode
amyellen18's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was incredible. It was devastating and brought me to tears at multiple points. I knew going into it that this book was going to be tough to read, due to its setting and premise, and it lived up to that. At points, I had to put it down and stop reading for a moment to digest what had actually just happened, which is an enormous privilege, as this story is a reality that so many cannot escape. The book is fiction and yet it tells a story that is very much real for so many Palestinians.
The characters in this book felt incredibly real. I sometimes find books that span such a large amount of time difficult to follow, as large parts of the story often seem to be missing, but that was not the case in this book. The time-span over which this book was set was necessary to tell its story, showing how multiple generations have been so affected by the situation. I loved the main characters, Amal and her family, and was desperate for their safety.
The fact that the atrocities described in this book are real and continuing to this day while so many major world powers continue to support Israel is horrifying, and I cannot and will not never understand why we still have to campaign for it, as everyone should be able to open their eyes and see that it is vital to FREE PALESTINE and hold everyone who has perpetuated this genocide accountable.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, and Dementia
hoarde_of_words'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
3.5
I'd say give the book a try if you're willing to overlook some messy pacing and confusing writing choices.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, and Antisemitism
Minor: Torture and Alcohol
myriam7'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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Torture
gaynidoking's review against another edition
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
zachn97's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Islamophobia, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
issy_jacob'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Alcohol
murve's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
andeulea's review against another edition
5.0
While there are many tragedies and losses woven throughout the story, there’s also an abundance of love, which beautifully highlights the humanity of the characters. Susan Abulhawa’s writing is powerful, bringing both the pain and the resilience of the characters. It’s also lyrical, making the book not only a moving read but also a literary experience that lingers with you long after you’ve finished.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
eliseondet'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
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Rape, Torture, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
erinmcav'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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Islamophobia, and War
Moderate: Incest, Sexual assault, and Torture