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ameliorater'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? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
clovetra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexism
yazzy_annalise'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? Yes
4.0
Her character growth was slow and hard to get through because that is how it is in real life. Growth isn't entertaining and people make wrong and bad decisions on their journey's to be better people. The fact that she grew and knew what would ultimately be best for herself and for her children means so much more for Yara's journey. That's what she has been battling all this time: all of these expectations that were forced on her that she thinks defines who she is, when the reality is that she can make choices that will lead to a different life. She just has to be intentional about those choices. This shift in the story telling felt kind of abrupt and really quick at the end, but I can't be upset because I think the author ultimately ended the novel in such a perfect way. I thought the ending would feel rushed, but it felt very full circle. All of the previous entries made sense with just those last couple of pages.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to support Arab and Palestinian authors but also need to read a fiction book. It really explores what it means to have fulfilling relationships and life in world that puts so many expectations on us.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent
thealmightykatt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
nishath'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
4.25
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Minor: Genocide and War
anni_banani'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
5.0
This is so unique to me to go through an entire self love healing journey including mental health tools and resources, dealing with your shadow side. I love a moody novel about a character dealing with their emotional health but a healing journey so thorough like this is novel for me.
I found the MC deeply relatable, sometimes she was badass and didn’t take any bullshit fed to her from the world and sometimes she is lost in self doubt, she struggles but is not defined by it, she has blessings and privileges but finds herself stuck in the compliance society thrusts upon us, she overcomes. I am so deeply invested in Yara’s journey that not only did i weep deeply at the end but I still hope the best for her.
I loved how the story alternated between Yara’s experience and the diary entries.
Heads up any time you read Rum’s books you will need a lot of amazing Palestinian food!
I will be reading all of Rum’s work to come. Lifelong Fan for sure!
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexism
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
campisforever'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? Yes
4.0
For the question about whether I found the characters loveable I said "It's complicated." Let me explain:
Also, if you're an academic, the first third might be frustrating, but it will pass, I promise. In general, I think that if you have the patience to give this book time, it will give what it needs to. In the end I was genuinely moved, but it's not something I would recommend blindly.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Genocide, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Colonisation
Domestic and physical abuse situations are referenced in the past and somewhat "offscreen" but they're still present and visceral. Misogyny is inherent in various treatment of the main character. Suicidal ideation is present, but not violent necessarily--potentially passive ideation. References to Colonization and genocide are in the context of stories about the 1948 Nakba (forced dispossession and genocide of Palestinians perpetrated by Israel). Islamophobia and xenophobia are present in offhanded--but relevant--comments by others about the main character's "culture" (in scare quotes because how they treat it is a fundamental misunderstanding).ktrainofthoughts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
aishallnot'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide
rivkah88'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? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent