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goodbookery's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
2.75
I had a hard time getting into this book at first, despite the interesting setting and circumstances, in part due to the narration. However, about halfway through, I became really interested in how the story was developing, particularly regarding Uncle Hafez’s duplicitousness. I was surprised that Amani’s story takes a hard turn into romance though. By the end of the book it felt like there were too many side stories or sub plots, and none of them felt as though they wrapped up in a satisfying way. I enjoyed the setting in Jordan and learning more about the history and culture as a whole, but was ultimately left wanting more out of this story.
• Thank you @booksparks, @dianabujaber, and @orangeskyaudio for a free audiobook of this title to read and review.
• Thank you @booksparks, @dianabujaber, and @orangeskyaudio for a free audiobook of this title to read and review.
andrea_gagne's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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
mellambert's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
It took me a minute, but once I got into it, this book took off. There's a lot of drama in the Hamdan family, and secrets. Often I would forget this book doesn't take place now, until I got the reminders of dates or politican names.
kelseysreads's review
4.0
I really loved this one. It took me a bit to get into, but once I was into it I couldn’t put it down.
This is a cross between a nuanced portrayal of a quickly Westernizing country at a specific time in history and a family mystery. I so appreciated the layers given to each issue, and the conflicts of expats and refugees, Jordanian traditionalists vs modernity, national pride vs ethical and economic desires.
Highly recommend for anyone curious about the history of Jordan and Palestine throughout the 20th century.
This is a cross between a nuanced portrayal of a quickly Westernizing country at a specific time in history and a family mystery. I so appreciated the layers given to each issue, and the conflicts of expats and refugees, Jordanian traditionalists vs modernity, national pride vs ethical and economic desires.
Highly recommend for anyone curious about the history of Jordan and Palestine throughout the 20th century.
ostara's review
dark
reflective
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
4.5
goldfishreads's review
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down.
I enjoyed this novel up until the last hundred pages or so. I admit I am not very familiar with the history and politics of Palestine and Transjordan, and this novel made me interested in learning more. From the beginning, the complicated relationships in Amani's family, the mystery of the blue letter written by her grandmother Natalia, and the grandiose of mingling with Jordanian royalty, was appealing and drew me into the story. I was intrigued to find out more about Amani's family history and what secrets they were hiding, especially her father Gabe and her uncle Hafez. By the end of the novel I felt like there were a lot of plot holes and things left unanswered. Gabe was one of my favourite characters and I didn't think there was enough depth into his character. The novel never really explained why he had such a fraught relationship with his family or why he didn't want to talk to Amani about his mother. Uncle Hafez was definitely more flushed out and even though he wasn't likeable, the reader can see where his insecurities are coming from and how that fuels his actions. But, there were no consequences or follow up regarding what he had done, it just sort of tapered off with an announcement that he retired? As much as I know happy endings don't always exist, I still hoped for Hafez getting what he deserved. And Carole?! She seemed like she could have been such a strong character but not much was done with her. There were a lot of characters that had a lot of potential in the story and they fell short for me, which was a bit of a disappointment.
I enjoyed this novel up until the last hundred pages or so. I admit I am not very familiar with the history and politics of Palestine and Transjordan, and this novel made me interested in learning more. From the beginning, the complicated relationships in Amani's family, the mystery of the blue letter written by her grandmother Natalia, and the grandiose of mingling with Jordanian royalty, was appealing and drew me into the story. I was intrigued to find out more about Amani's family history and what secrets they were hiding, especially her father Gabe and her uncle Hafez. By the end of the novel I felt like there were a lot of plot holes and things left unanswered. Gabe was one of my favourite characters and I didn't think there was enough depth into his character. The novel never really explained why he had such a fraught relationship with his family or why he didn't want to talk to Amani about his mother. Uncle Hafez was definitely more flushed out and even though he wasn't likeable, the reader can see where his insecurities are coming from and how that fuels his actions. But, there were no consequences or follow up regarding what he had done, it just sort of tapered off with an announcement that he retired? As much as I know happy endings don't always exist, I still hoped for Hafez getting what he deserved. And Carole?! She seemed like she could have been such a strong character but not much was done with her. There were a lot of characters that had a lot of potential in the story and they fell short for me, which was a bit of a disappointment.
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