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anna_prrr's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Miscarriage, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
rosiesbookshelf's review
Graphic: Genocide and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
blueghost's review
- 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
careinthelibrary's review
- 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
morybaby'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
4.5
It was incredibly heartbreaking and yet so hopeful.
There were a number of times I had to pause because of what some of the characters had to go through.
I think the most heart wrenching part of this reading experience is the fact that it is still happening to real people in Palestine.
Susan Abulhawa is such a talented writer.
She was able to make me laugh sometimes during such a heavy read.
Graphic: Genocide, Gun violence, Rape, and War
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Body shaming and Miscarriage
megansoetaert's review
- 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
jouljet's review
- 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
serendipitysbooks's review
- 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
charleyroxy's review
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Abortion