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sbeierle'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: Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt
backpackingbookworm'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? No
4.5
At its core, this book celebrates women. It celebrates standing up for your beliefs and being brave enough to follow your heart despite ignorance and judgement from wider society. It celebrates strength, courage, and community. It is a raw and tender portrayal of a family broken apart by loss with unsuccessful attempts to reunite through religion. It spans decades, starting at the scene of the shooting, then flashing back to 1976 when Afaf is 10 years old and an unexpected event ripped through her family. We then flash forward, catching glimpses of Afaf's transition to adulthood, her commitment to her faith, her career choices and family life. The targeted school shooting intersperses with these chapters, reminding us we're leading up to this callous attack, all because the school is Muslim.
It's simple - I loved this book; loved the complex characters and their individual struggles, loved the diversity of a Palestinian family trying to find their place in Chicago, loved the underlying storylines that resolved towards the end of the novel, and loved the saga that unfolded between decades. It was insightful, thought-provoking, and all too real- it felt like I was reading a true account of Afaf's life. I hated the islamophobia, the bigotry in school, the judgement for choosing to wear a hijab - but these are all things Muslim women faced then and now. It might be fiction, but it's certainly not invented.
I can't emphasise how powerful this novel is - I'd encourage everyone to read it.
Rating breakdown
- Plot/narrative - 4.5
- Writing style/readability - 4.2
- Characters - 4.5
- Diverse themes - 4.7
- Ending - 4.3
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
madlads'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Child abuse and Religious bigotry
mama_mastracci's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Mental illness
fatimak's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Islamophobia, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry