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haileyjay's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amyjo25's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mo_likesto_read's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
aposternak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.25
beloved_bridget's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
‘But I ask you, is it possible to grow roses from thorns?’ ‘The thorns aren’t there to produce roses, they’re there to protect them’
I was not planning on reading this in one day but I could not put it down! it also just reads incredibly quickly
monazaneefer's review against another edition
Rating:★★★☆☆
Format: E-Book
Surely the first book I read in 2024 is a Palestinian one. Right now, that's what my TBR is replete with: Palestinian or Muslim content. Anything else feels like a distraction and I just feel guilty to escape out of reality when a genocide is happening in Gaza.
I was excited when I realised this book would show the perspective of a resistance fighter. Further, it was interesting how the author brought in perspectives coming in from all sides: resistance fighter, a Palestinian working in Israel, Pal being in an Israeli prison, a non-combatant civilian in Palestine going about their day, etc.
However, I wasn't a fan of the humanising of the Israelis that was on occasion shown. For eg: Israeli soldiers weeping at the sight of a Palestinian reunion? PUH-LEASE! We're witnessing demented Israelis bombing Palestinians, abducting them, looting them, raping them and making Tiktok videos with their kids mocking them. And I'm of course against the narrative that bringing down the Netanyahu government is the only solution. No. That country itself is deranged, except for those who oppose the genocide AND occupation.
-- 2/3 of Israel oppose humanitarian aid entering Gaza. (https://mondoweiss.net/2024/02/over-2-3-of-jewish-israelis-oppose-humanitarian-aid-to-palestinians-starving-in-gaza/)
-- 94% in this poll said that Israel is using either the right amount or not enough firepower. (https://time.com/6333781/israel-hamas-poll-palestine)
Moving on, ultimately, my 3-stars come from the language. Perhaps it's the translation (as others have pointed out) but I wasn't a fan of the storytelling choices anyway - I'd have preferred more development of the characters/storylines, just because I really adored some of them. But I guess that's not what the author was trying to do here. She did bring an excellent prism of the fragmented perspectives of the Palestinian people in all its nuances. So, objectively, this was a good read. But I suppose not to my personal preference.
I was looking forward to the author's Passage to the Plaza and My First and Only Love...but reading some reviews, I think I'll end up with the same issue with language.
Format: E-Book
Surely the first book I read in 2024 is a Palestinian one. Right now, that's what my TBR is replete with: Palestinian or Muslim content. Anything else feels like a distraction and I just feel guilty to escape out of reality when a genocide is happening in Gaza.
I was excited when I realised this book would show the perspective of a resistance fighter. Further, it was interesting how the author brought in perspectives coming in from all sides: resistance fighter, a Palestinian working in Israel, Pal being in an Israeli prison, a non-combatant civilian in Palestine going about their day, etc.
However, I wasn't a fan of the humanising of the Israelis that was on occasion shown. For eg: Israeli soldiers weeping at the sight of a Palestinian reunion? PUH-LEASE! We're witnessing demented Israelis bombing Palestinians, abducting them, looting them, raping them and making Tiktok videos with their kids mocking them. And I'm of course against the narrative that bringing down the Netanyahu government is the only solution. No. That country itself is deranged, except for those who oppose the genocide AND occupation.
-- 2/3 of Israel oppose humanitarian aid entering Gaza. (https://mondoweiss.net/2024/02/over-2-3-of-jewish-israelis-oppose-humanitarian-aid-to-palestinians-starving-in-gaza/)
-- 94% in this poll said that Israel is using either the right amount or not enough firepower. (https://time.com/6333781/israel-hamas-poll-palestine)
Moving on, ultimately, my 3-stars come from the language. Perhaps it's the translation (as others have pointed out) but I wasn't a fan of the storytelling choices anyway - I'd have preferred more development of the characters/storylines, just because I really adored some of them. But I guess that's not what the author was trying to do here. She did bring an excellent prism of the fragmented perspectives of the Palestinian people in all its nuances. So, objectively, this was a good read. But I suppose not to my personal preference.
I was looking forward to the author's Passage to the Plaza and My First and Only Love...but reading some reviews, I think I'll end up with the same issue with language.
allmight's review against another edition
4.0
a fiction novel following a Palestinian family living in the occupied West Bank. this book portrays the different ways that Palestinians respond to occupation and asks what the right way to resist it is. the book does not really answer this question and leaves it up to the reader. it definitely made me think
amyjo29's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
nabilaandta's review against another edition
4.0
This book explores the impact of the occupation of Palestine not only on the external conflict with the Israeli community, but also on the internal dynamics within the Palestinian community itself. These dynamics, influenced by external pressures, are likely to play a significant role in shaping the characters' identities and actions. Khalifeh's exploration of these psychological factors provides readers with a nuanced understanding of the human experience in the context of colonization.