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jencolumb0's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book has languished in my TBR for more than a year but I am so glad I picked it up now. Though the story centers on generational trauma and a woman in her 30s learning to accept certain contours of the human condition (fear, finite moments, etc), the experience of Palestinian refugees since the final embers of the Ottoman Empire burned figure prominently, making this feel like an especially timely read. It was, indeed, the correct time for me to pick up this beautifully woven story. I enjoyed the multifaceted peek into Jordanian history and culture. The migration themes in this book were far less tragic than are typically seen in pop culture depictions of migration (never mind what’s published in the news) and, more deftly than most, reflected the complexity of migration throughout the life of a person and their family. I enjoyed the fact that the story ended in a HFN but found unsatisfying the efforts to resolve through a pair of letters the conflict with the main character’s uncle. I recognize that this resolution hews closer to who he is shown to be (and effectively loops into the bigger themes of migration and generational trauma) but it was not as satisfying as a full-on, airing of grievances, with a side of personal growth. Generally, though, this is a book that I am delighted to have picked up at this moment in time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infidelity, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, War, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Genocide and Forced institutionalization
2treads's review
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Abu-Jaber's take on familial inheritance and how greed can fester and morph into resentment and an ugly entitlement, will be familiar to any reader who comes from a cultural tradition where handing down pieces that have represented a family's history for generations is an expression of love and value.
Characters are deftly handled as their complicated family history unfolds. Abu-Jaber uses a heritage that straddles rich culture and a history of violence and displacement. Amani embarks on a journey to Jordan that will open a door to many questions.
To seek the story of a presence that has always been with her but that in life seems to have led disparate existences. There are secrets here that those closest to her have kept and are unwilling to share, but help can come from unexpected places and in subtle ways.
I absolutely loved how the author handled the pacing of her plot and the navigation through a complicated and painful history, the fracturing of a family because of jealousy, while also managing to include domestic drama and social hierarchies which enhanced my enjoyment all the more.
However I was disappointed because the uncle did not get the comeuppance he deserved for his greed-driven machinations against his family.
Characters are deftly handled as their complicated family history unfolds. Abu-Jaber uses a heritage that straddles rich culture and a history of violence and displacement. Amani embarks on a journey to Jordan that will open a door to many questions.
To seek the story of a presence that has always been with her but that in life seems to have led disparate existences. There are secrets here that those closest to her have kept and are unwilling to share, but help can come from unexpected places and in subtle ways.
I absolutely loved how the author handled the pacing of her plot and the navigation through a complicated and painful history, the fracturing of a family because of jealousy, while also managing to include domestic drama and social hierarchies which enhanced my enjoyment all the more.
However I was disappointed because the uncle did not get the comeuppance he deserved for his greed-driven machinations against his family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
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