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maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Cancer, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
mariab27's review against another edition
4.0
What a moving and beautiful book! The magical realism perfectly encapsulates the awe, terror, and joy that it takes to love across the diaspora, particularly when one’s home (Gaza) and people (Palestinians) continue to face displacement and genocide.
Sarah Cypher deftly navigates across time and space to knit together a story not just about Betty, the main character, but her aunt Nuha as well. It takes a special skill to write in the 2nd person, yet Cypher does it gorgeously.
I absolutely loved the depiction of queerness as well. Queer relationships - as the popular media depicts them - are not shown often in this book, yet we know that without queerness linking Betty and Nuha, this book would never exist. Queerness is instead depicted as a love that knows no bounds, that is about chosen family as much as it is about compassion, understanding, and the liminal space between two sides.
The only reason for the 4 stars (versus 5) is that the book lost steam 3/4 of the way through and could have been shorter with just as much punch.
Sarah Cypher deftly navigates across time and space to knit together a story not just about Betty, the main character, but her aunt Nuha as well. It takes a special skill to write in the 2nd person, yet Cypher does it gorgeously.
I absolutely loved the depiction of queerness as well. Queer relationships - as the popular media depicts them - are not shown often in this book, yet we know that without queerness linking Betty and Nuha, this book would never exist. Queerness is instead depicted as a love that knows no bounds, that is about chosen family as much as it is about compassion, understanding, and the liminal space between two sides.
The only reason for the 4 stars (versus 5) is that the book lost steam 3/4 of the way through and could have been shorter with just as much punch.
maddy_brown99's review against another edition
Just not vibing at the moment!! I will come back though
anna_wa's review against another edition
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
The writing was beautiful. Magical realism isn't really my cup of tea so I did have a semi-difficult time staying engaged with the book. Enjoyed how Palestinian identity was a big part of the story. It is quite slow and it can be difficult to follow where things are taking you.
I would be willing to read more from the author although I didn't love this book.
I would be willing to read more from the author although I didn't love this book.
apieceofjaaay's review against another edition
This book is so beautifully written but I can’t focus on the audio.
romcomapologist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
“tell me a story, silver.
what story?
the story of what happened next.
that depends.
on what?
on how i tell it.”
what story?
the story of what happened next.
that depends.
on what?
on how i tell it.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide
monicagrace94's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
thestarrfish's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0