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carlyshoo's review
3.0
I’m a week out from finishing this book, and I’m sure I’m missing some conclusions as I write this, but key plot points stick out to me, as well as general failures of the book.
Mburak was the most complicated character. She was both cruel and benevolent, and lacked any empathy for men. Nahr, disappointingly, falls in love with a man. Mburak knows better than to let herself be tricked into doing this, or maybe she was gay all along. Her character produced questions in me, and I would have preferred a book about her, rather than Nahr.
The resistance in Nahr’s and Bilal’s town was intriguing, and poetic. So poetic, that I had a hard time believing it was a true characterisation of what a grassroots resistance operation would look like. Maybe I’m totally off, but I struggled to suspend disbelief.
By and far, the most chilling event of the story was the mass curfews Israel imposed on Palestine during the mid-90s (and, I’m guessing, intermittently throughout its existence). I keep replaying in my head when Nahr marvels at the attempt to eradicate her people by military power, only to have thousands and thousands of babies born from the love and solitude people found inside their homes when they couldn’t leave them.
I’m weary of propaganda, but I get sucked in if the story is good enough.
Unfortunately, for me, Against the Loveless World did not have a compelling story. I am glad I finished, and I am glad I witnessed a woman rediscover herself in her land. FREE PALESTINE. And this story lacked emotional depth.
In Mornings in Jenin, I was with the author every melodramatic step of the way. I felt this novel lacked whatever oomph Mornings had. Susan herself says she’s been writing Against theLoveless World for 20 years. I am all for jamming your experiences, one by one, into an amalgamation type character. I am all for speaking and telling stories from other people’s perspectives. But this book lacked that intrinsic pull / hook / humanization / relatability I seek in roman à clef-type stuff. She’s still a fabulous writer, and I will probably read the Blue Between Water & Sky…. In a few months when I can handle it.
2.5 stars.
Mburak was the most complicated character. She was both cruel and benevolent, and lacked any empathy for men. Nahr, disappointingly, falls in love with a man. Mburak knows better than to let herself be tricked into doing this, or maybe she was gay all along. Her character produced questions in me, and I would have preferred a book about her, rather than Nahr.
The resistance in Nahr’s and Bilal’s town was intriguing, and poetic. So poetic, that I had a hard time believing it was a true characterisation of what a grassroots resistance operation would look like. Maybe I’m totally off, but I struggled to suspend disbelief.
By and far, the most chilling event of the story was the mass curfews Israel imposed on Palestine during the mid-90s (and, I’m guessing, intermittently throughout its existence). I keep replaying in my head when Nahr marvels at the attempt to eradicate her people by military power, only to have thousands and thousands of babies born from the love and solitude people found inside their homes when they couldn’t leave them.
I’m weary of propaganda, but I get sucked in if the story is good enough.
Unfortunately, for me, Against the Loveless World did not have a compelling story. I am glad I finished, and I am glad I witnessed a woman rediscover herself in her land. FREE PALESTINE. And this story lacked emotional depth.
In Mornings in Jenin, I was with the author every melodramatic step of the way. I felt this novel lacked whatever oomph Mornings had. Susan herself says she’s been writing Against theLoveless World for 20 years. I am all for jamming your experiences, one by one, into an amalgamation type character. I am all for speaking and telling stories from other people’s perspectives. But this book lacked that intrinsic pull / hook / humanization / relatability I seek in roman à clef-type stuff. She’s still a fabulous writer, and I will probably read the Blue Between Water & Sky…. In a few months when I can handle it.
2.5 stars.
queenbitch's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lindseymaxwell's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written, chilling, and relevant read. Nahr’s story offers an important perspective that forces us to both reckon with the horrific state of the world and put ourselves in her shoes and wonder what we would do there.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the juxtaposition of the pure, tender and authentic love that grew between Nahr and Bilal while violence and hatred raged around them.
On a lighter note, the sap and hopeless romantic in me delighted in this story ending with hope and, as Susan put it, joy. That despite living through unimaginable horrors your entire life, love and human connection can buoy your soul in the darkest of times.
Thank you, Susan, for this history lesson, reality check, and love story. ❤️🇵🇸
One of my favorite parts of this book was the juxtaposition of the pure, tender and authentic love that grew between Nahr and Bilal while violence and hatred raged around them.
On a lighter note, the sap and hopeless romantic in me delighted in this story ending with hope and, as Susan put it, joy. That despite living through unimaginable horrors your entire life, love and human connection can buoy your soul in the darkest of times.
Thank you, Susan, for this history lesson, reality check, and love story. ❤️🇵🇸
marydith's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
heyheatherelise's review
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
evermore52's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-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
mcip's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
suswana's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is for anyone who wants to see Palestine through the eyes of a Palestinian. Generations of displaced families holding onto hope that one day Palestine will be liberated. “Against the Loveless World” will make you smile, cry, it will infuriate you, it will make you uncomfortable and will make you yearn to see a free Palestine in your lifetime. Trigger warnings: genocide, rape, militarism, displacement
mrswoods's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0