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madelinekramer2021's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
nessreadsalot'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
From heartbreaking moments of loss to the wonderfully magical stories of joy this is a wonderful book.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
lianne_rooney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Islamophobia, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
hegesteindal74's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Deportation
Minor: Pregnancy
kittykolektor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Please check trigger warnings before reading.
Graphic: Child death, Death, and War
kimschouwenaar's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Woah. And I mean that in every sense of the expression. This multi-generational story about a Palestinian family grabs you by the throat, nails digging in, and does not relent. I expect it to retain its hold on me for months to come. Abulhawa takes you by the hand and leads you through history and grief, leads you through the relentless suffering of Palestinians, and does not hold back.
Each chapter I was left questioning Can this really happen? Can a people be this ruthless and arrogant to believe they have the rights to invade a country and act like they are the only victims?
Yes. In fact, it is happening and has been happening for decades. We need to stop trying to justify genocide. The safety of one people should not come at the cost of another country and culture.
"The roots of out grief coil so deeply into loss that death has come to live with us like a family member who makes you happy by avoiding you, but who is still one of the family. Our anger is a rage that Westerners cannot understand. Our sadness can make the stones weep. And the way we love is no exception, Amal."
It's a tough read, but I strongly believe it's one that we should all know.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Dementia, and Deportation
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A truly outstanding debut, I will continue my journey through Susan Abulhawa's writing knowing I'm in the hands of a talented author. I'm struck by the years of apartheid covered in this novel and its echoes in the present day genocide of Gazans and continued oppression of Palestinians in their homelands and beyond. Free Palestine.
"Love, David
... Love, Ismael"💔🇵🇸
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Blood
cerilouisereads'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: Child death, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and War
morybaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and War
nineinchnails'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
it feels weird to rate this book like i would other fiction novels, since many of these fictional events are recurring as we speak. what i will say is that anyone even slightly interested in learning about palestine stands to gain a lot from reading this book. while it is definitely heavy and dark, it shows so much beauty in the land and culture too. the story switches hands between characters a fair amount here but i think it works in its favour and is necessary to tell this particular story. i don't think anything i write here could do this book justice but i loved this book from front to cover and i don't think the contents will ever leave my mind.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Antisemitism, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Rape