A review by kylieqrada
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.0

Don't mind me, just sitting in my car on my lunch break feeling ALL THE FEELS. This was such a timely read, given what's going on in Palestine atm. Israeli oppression of Palestinians is portrayed in heart-breaking clarity as a backdrop to the story. It is also a very intense read, so check CWs before jumping in. Etaf Rum's prose is lovely, and the voices of Deya, Isra, and Fareeda are so clear and uniquely their own in a way that I haven't experienced in a multiple POV story in a while. The treatment of women in traditional Arabic culture is portrayed so poignantly, and I really liked how the author made it clear that the Islamic faith does not condone that treatment. The different ways we cope with trauma and the effects of intergenerational trauma are also explored. Highly, highly recommend this one. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Islamophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy