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A review by jinmichae
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Dementia, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent