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meghanlpickett's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
wdixon's review against another edition
3.0
In general I enjoyed this book, however I felt the time jumps were very abrupt and did not always finish a storyline like I hoped. I also felt that more details could have been given on the political unrest each time period covered because if you don’t already know about it all, you’d have to look up each event to understand more. I also felt that the ending was very abrupt. I kept swiping back and forth on my kindle trying to see if I missed a page because it was just so sudden. Despite all this, I did find the topic and the lives of the characters interesting and would learn more about these events outside of this book because of that.
missbrendareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shizbizz's review against another edition
5.0
I've been trying to read more books that talk about the middle east. Growing up there i've formed a sort of soft spot and love for the arab culture, so rich and fading so so fast. This book was incredibly heartwarming, a story of generations.
gracie_wirzba's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
justjacq's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I went into reading this book knowing nothing about it or the storyline, and I think because of that, it spoke to me even more. It's a multi-generational, multi-perspective story that follows a family displaced from Palestine during the 6 day war in 1967. Instead of focusing on the disaster of war, it centers more around displacement and the effects of war on people and families. The story follows the Yacoub family through decades and draws a dizzying picture of displacement - they never seem to belong anywhere and have no home to return to. There are a lot of sad moments and reflections, but it's also a story of perseverance and has moments of joy. The writing is beautiful and absorbing, and I felt like I really grew to know the family as they changed and moved. The epilogue had me tearing up, and the ending was really powerful.
amgepine's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dredawg23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
jinmichae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
I'd suggest writing down relationships and names, because this book covers many generations.
Slice of life, but all characters are connected through family. Place is another character, as the family is split and comes together across countries, often moved by war.
A line that especially struck me was the younger generation visiting Jaffa, and thinking of the privilege of families back in Boston who have hundreds of years of generations all buried in the same cemetery, while her ancestor's graves are--by was and against their will--spread across an entire region.
I found it a very compelling read, only held back by my having to remember who was who and related how.
Slice of life, but all characters are connected through family. Place is another character, as the family is split and comes together across countries, often moved by war.
A line that especially struck me was the younger generation visiting Jaffa, and thinking of the privilege of families back in Boston who have hundreds of years of generations all buried in the same cemetery, while her ancestor's graves are--by was and against their will--spread across an entire region.
I found it a very compelling read, only held back by my having to remember who was who and related how.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Dementia, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
rachlamboy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0