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A review by annreadsabook
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
[edit on 10/27/23: I’m removing the stars from this review since I’ve been made aware of some of the issues this book has when it comes to Abulhawa’s depiction of dictators…these concerns make me uncomfortable with fully recommending this book. I am sorry to say I missed this during my read but I’d like to honor the Syrian bookstagrammers in particular who have pointed these issues out.]
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Against the Loveless World is one of the most difficult books I’ve read this year—specifically, in terms of content. The book follows its protagonist, Nahr, as she reflects on the trials of her life while in solitary confinement. She takes the reader through her experience as a displaced Palestinian refugee in Kuwait and Jordan, and follows her as she returns to her roots in Palestine. We see Nahr grow into a self-assured young woman as she experiences immense suffering and makes sense of her people’s oppression.
While the book’s pacing is sometimes slow and contemplative, I was a captive audience the entire time. Enveloped within Abulhawa’s discussion of Palestinian displacement and dispossession is the mistreatment and subjugation of women—however, while Nahr’s life is often punctuated by suffering at the hands of men, Nahr remains deeply concerned about the well-being of her family and community, and works her hardest to ensure their protection despite the personal costs she may incur. I’m new to Susan Abulhawa’s writing, and this book makes me so excited to read her other works about the Palestinian experience (namely, Mornings in Jenin and The Blue Between Sky and Water).
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Abulhawa’s shout-out to James Baldwin:
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Against the Loveless World is one of the most difficult books I’ve read this year—specifically, in terms of content. The book follows its protagonist, Nahr, as she reflects on the trials of her life while in solitary confinement. She takes the reader through her experience as a displaced Palestinian refugee in Kuwait and Jordan, and follows her as she returns to her roots in Palestine. We see Nahr grow into a self-assured young woman as she experiences immense suffering and makes sense of her people’s oppression.
While the book’s pacing is sometimes slow and contemplative, I was a captive audience the entire time. Enveloped within Abulhawa’s discussion of Palestinian displacement and dispossession is the mistreatment and subjugation of women—however, while Nahr’s life is often punctuated by suffering at the hands of men, Nahr remains deeply concerned about the well-being of her family and community, and works her hardest to ensure their protection despite the personal costs she may incur. I’m new to Susan Abulhawa’s writing, and this book makes me so excited to read her other works about the Palestinian experience (namely, Mornings in Jenin and The Blue Between Sky and Water).
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Abulhawa’s shout-out to James Baldwin:
“Here you were: to be loved. To be loved, baby, hard, at once, and forever, to strengthen you against the loveless world.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Abortion