A review by justjacq
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan

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.