Reviews

Mother of Strangers, by Suad Amiry

kteq's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

jessbedwards99's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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

alexa_chava's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• 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? N/A

4.0

This book tells a story of the destruction of Palestine, but also a story of love and kindness and how it can prevail even in times of darkness. A wonderful, heartbreaking read that is full of culture and knowledge. 

aestheticbookshelf's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

For a fictional piece I did not find the story immersive. The historical context was interesting and under represented in the western mind but the book seemed to be constantly explaining itself and cramming in a few more facts here.

madison_k's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

3.75

informative for those wanting to learn more about Palestine 

cartermon4's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

openmypages's review against another edition

4.0

Mother of Strangers tells us the story of Subhi and Shams, two young teens living in Jaffa in 1947 as Palestine is partitioned. We hear the heartbreaking tale of these two hopeful children who must cope with the changes, uncertainty and violence that is thrust into their lives. Subhi is this dreamer of a boy who is an absolute wizard at fixing mechanical things. He loves to read and is fascinated with the more affluent world. When he is able to fix an irrigation system for a rich landowner, he is paid with a gorgeous "English" style suit. He adores this suit and what it represents in his life, a chance for all of his dreams to come true, he hopes one day to marry local girl Shams while wearing that suit. We get several dreamy chapters of the impact of this suit on his life. An impact that is short lived as his town is torn apart by violence. Then no one believes that this peasant boy could possibly own this suit.

This is the experience of many Muslim Palestinains who went overnight from having homes and livelihoods to being run out of their lands forced to live as refugees with nothing or worse being killed. This story gives us a clear snapshot of what these two families faced, a story, that we learn in the end is all true, experienced by the family of the author. Very powerful read with what is a not often heard perspective here in the Western world.

Thanks to Pantheon Books for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

sirdedlock's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

onunez513's review against another edition

2.0

The history of Palestine is so important to share and amplify. I appreciated that part of this book but felt the storytelling was a little unorganized at times.

shelfiegen's review against another edition

4.0

3.5ish.. I liked this book! I enjoyed the story and the perspective. I do think that kid narrators can be difficult though. The tone/voice felt authentic for a 15 year old, Subhi, but also kind of distracted me and took away from the reading experience. had it been a YA book I wouldn't have minded the juvenile style... On the other hand, Edugyan's Washington Black felt way too adult/mature for the age of the narrator. So, like I said, it is tough. Anyway, overall I don't think it ruined the book but was something that I kind of had to get past.