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mamaofperfectpayton'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
frogggirl2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Every character in this book serves the same purpose - every character is one note and serves to hammer on the theme of oppression. It's unrelenting and it's hard to bear.
This book just has no nuance at all. The way it portrays the men and the way it betrays the women is the same they are equally culpable in the abuse of women.
I don't think there's really anything to learn here. All this does is subjugate the characters. I honestly wish I wouldn't have subjected myself to this book.
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
emboivinguay'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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
berlylovestoread's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Child death
Minor: Abortion
salemander's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, and Classism
lnolen01'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
pipettesandpages's review
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Blood, and Grief
trilli_pop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
bookishbaker25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
For fans of Khaled Hosseini's storytelling, Rum's narrative will resonate deeply. She skillfully captures a sense of despair and sadness that runs through the entire book. The characters weave together seamlessly, yet the reader is constantly faced with the harsh reality of the abuse and hopelessness they endure.
The book not only explores domestic violence but also sheds light on how cultural norms and expectations contribute to systemic abuse. While it's important not to stereotype an entire culture, it's equally important to acknowledge the struggles of women who face such challenges daily. Rum gives voice to the marginalized, highlighting their experiences.
While I appreciated the book's structure, with multiple points of view spanning three generations, there were moments where the story felt repetitive, slowing down the pace.
All in all, I think this is a great read, but please beware, it is a heavy and hard book to get through!
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, and Abortion
michaelion'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? Yes
4.5
I do feel that if I had read this book first and Evil Eye second, I still would've given Evil Eye 5 stars. These books were written for the culture. Not my culture, but the importance of them, the weight of them, were not just to represent Palestinians and Arabs, but to show other Arabs "this is who we are, we have stories to tell, and we have to be honest with ourselves" and I love that SO much. Etaf Rum you will always be famous!!!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Confinement, Genocide, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Deportation
Minor: Body horror, Drug use, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Islamophobia, Stalking, and Car accident