upthescene's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful. Sad. But mostly beautiful.
After reading the translator's end notes, in which he discusses particular parts Shibli requested he change / leave out, I'd love to read the original Arabic. Gotta study a little harder first.
After reading the translator's end notes, in which he discusses particular parts Shibli requested he change / leave out, I'd love to read the original Arabic. Gotta study a little harder first.
awellreadlady's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
paulineg's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
georgehunter's review
5.0
As it begins this book comes across as extremely innocent and simple. One lets oneself go along anyway - it's an easy short read, so why not finish it despite its childishness. And then, slowly, the book's great beauty begins to build. The Arabic begins to shine through the translation. The bravery and importance of the issues it raises comes through. The range and universality, while also, often quite humorously, inhabiting its specificity, with very subtle nods to its political positions, makes them shine even more, provoking an impulse to embrace the author and thank her for such purity, such kindness. As the book progresses it begins to suggest an interweaving of the stories that will build toward some climax in which all is revealed. This does not happen. But nor does it have to. The incompleteness of this approach gives way to something much better, to which the incompleteness of the unity of the individual stories contributes. Too much artfulness, too much plot, would have taken away from the poetry. With such a broad range of understanding, Shibli finds both beauty (forgive my repetition - it's true!) and commonality in all manner of loneliness. But the universal case is made up of the individual cases. I wouldn't have wanted an abstract theory of loneliness or pure poetry, either. Shibli finds a balance and invents a half-decoy structure. In this way she communicates a profound empathy that stays with the reader. As important to be read for the general as the specific. An absolute joy. Perceptive, aware and also impossibly light of heart. A gift. Thank you for this.
literaryinfatuation's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In “We Are All Equally Far From Love”, Adania Shibli takes us through the despairs of broken hearts and the emotional (and sometimes physical violence) of separation.
This is not a story about war or genocide against Palestinians. This is not war/trauma porn. Rather, in these interconnected short stories, Shibli walks us on how women in Occupied Palestine try to go on with their normal lives; fall in and out of love, write love letters and dream of a future that does not only include preparing dinner for a husband and a few kids. She gives voice to teenagers who try to rebel within the boundaries of patriarchy, middle-aged women soured by disappointments and young women fighting domestic violence. They are all survivors in their own way.
What I liked most about this book was how it was so beautifully written. Especially how there is a poem stitching all these stories together and giving the reader a preview of what’s to come.
It is a beautiful work of art I cannot recommend enough.
This is not a story about war or genocide against Palestinians. This is not war/trauma porn. Rather, in these interconnected short stories, Shibli walks us on how women in Occupied Palestine try to go on with their normal lives; fall in and out of love, write love letters and dream of a future that does not only include preparing dinner for a husband and a few kids. She gives voice to teenagers who try to rebel within the boundaries of patriarchy, middle-aged women soured by disappointments and young women fighting domestic violence. They are all survivors in their own way.
What I liked most about this book was how it was so beautifully written. Especially how there is a poem stitching all these stories together and giving the reader a preview of what’s to come.
It is a beautiful work of art I cannot recommend enough.
lodisparate's review
4.0
it took some time for me to get used to the strange, oblique tone of the multiple narrators. don't be deceive by the seemingly short chapter and length it was a tough read but one that was so rewarding.
also that cover! and i love the Arabic title so much. soft poetry + incisive meaning.
melancholic meditation on alienation and love - in all kind of forms.
also that cover! and i love the Arabic title so much. soft poetry + incisive meaning.
melancholic meditation on alienation and love - in all kind of forms.
More...