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maryellen'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? It's complicated
5.0
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
dragongirl271'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: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
zgreyz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia and War
abitbetterbooks'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? It's complicated
5.0
It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel— Sarah Cypher is a masterful writer and captivating storyteller. This book has some of the most brilliant character work I’ve ever experienced. Reminded me a bit of one of my other favourites, Butter Honey Pig Bread with the complex familial relationships and non-linear story / timeline!
I loved how my perception & understanding of the title changed as the narrative developed. A good title is like the icing on the cake when it’s reframed after finishing!
Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and War
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual harassment
cass_lit's review against another edition
4.0
Although the author isn’t Palestinian herself, it seemed to me to be very well researched.
Graphic: Racism and Suicidal thoughts
billiekate'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
Some cultural takeaways: I learned a lot of common Arabic words and saw a lot of dishes that exist in both Palestinian and Lebanese culture. This is also a story of a Palestinian Christian family, which I also appreciated as Arab Christians aren't given much spotlight in Western media and stories.
Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual assault and Fire/Fire injury
femmeprints's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Islamophobia and Lesbophobia
imds's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Abortion
bookishmillennial'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
So the first time I tried to read this, I set it down because I was not in the headspace for such an intricately deep character-driven narrative. My brain was not computing, so I decided to come back to it one day lol. That day has come! And I'm really glad I revisited this, and this time via audiobook! That was a much better experience for me to fully get into the voice and narrative!
This book centers around Elspeth aka Betty, who was born, died, and came back to life (as a baby) with cobalt blue skin (which is reminiscent of the blue soap her family used to make when they lived in Palestine). She visits her great-aunt Nuha's grave, reads journals, revisits familial lore that mostly was passed down to her orally, and contemplates a big life decision, regarding moving out of the U.S. The novel is told in second-person POV, which I adore and think is done so well here.
Though some parts were absolutely slower and felt as if they dragged on a bit more than others (I am just so predictable; the middle of the book always seems to be a slog for me?! It's me, I'm the problem, it's me), I still felt grateful and humbled to hear about Betty and her relationships to notable women in her family (mom, grandma, great aunt), and how they navigated challenges, such as terminal illness, exile, queerness, mental health, anti-Arab sentiments in the U.S., and more.
Check content warnings below & take care while reading.
Free Palestine <3
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
annacbarr's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
Moderate: War
Minor: Body horror, Genocide, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia