norademi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Moderate: Abortion, Murder, and Sexual content
kquixotic's review
- 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? Yes
4.75
I appreciate this book for upending western stereotypes of Arab people, particularly around women, sex, and sexuality, with every character navigating contradictions.
The backdrop of the impact of Western intervention in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon further, complicates and enriches the narrative. I was affected! Upon finishing this book I had to go to the local Lebanese buffet to eat my feelings.
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Death, Murder, Violence, and Homophobia
breeoxd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War, Lesbophobia, Islamophobia, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Abortion, Misogyny, Colonisation, and Classism
just_one_more_paige'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: Grief, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Abortion, Classism, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Colonisation
bodiesinbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Racism, Vomit, and War
rozereads's review
- 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
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Murder, Abortion, and Xenophobia
thebakerbookworm'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
4.0
The story follows the Nasr family, when Idris, the father, decides to sell their family home in Beirut. This decision brings everyone to gather in Beirut for the summer. We get the perspectives of the three children, each living their own independent lives, as they come to terms with what being back in Beirut with family means. And then we flash back to their mom's life when she was young growing up in Syria, and what led to her marrying Idris and how they eventually ended up in California raising a family. I thought the book started slow, and the past timeline was when the story really grabbed me. I found Mazna a really intriguing character, and I loved that we get different perspectives, so what you initially think about one character changes in the next section. All these characters are complex and compelling--I didn't like all of them but I found myself rooting for them and this family anyways.
There's not a ton of plot, but this is the kind of story where secrets drive the story—everyone has secrets and fails at communication, which of course causes drama and heartbreak. I was frustrated at times and just wanted to stick the Nasr family in one room together and force them to be honest with each other.
The writing was excellent and really captivated me. And I loved the setting—we get California, Brooklyn, Austin, Beirut, and Damascus. There's also a lot to learn about the Lebanese Civil War, and this book will make you want to learn even more about it. If you're tired of the World War II historical fiction books, you should definitely give this one a shot!
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
caroline_hutchison's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Murder