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ruffian23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria
kimveach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
Once again, I'm a lucky girl. This was another Goodreads giveaway. The only problem with this Uncorrected Proof is that there are no dedications, epigraphs, or author notes. I'll have to get a library copy to see what those were!
I loved this beautiful story of a young mother struggling to make sense of her life. As in her previous book, she looks at Palestinian Americans, a group I know little of.
I loved this beautiful story of a young mother struggling to make sense of her life. As in her previous book, she looks at Palestinian Americans, a group I know little of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Islamophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
Minor: Confinement, Genocide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, War, and Deportation
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
I picked Evil Eye by Etaf Rum for my main Book of the Month pick in September. The blurb for the book is kind of vague, so I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not. Luckily, Evil Eye drew me in and captivated me until I had finished it within two days. I couldn’t put it down, even though it’s pretty slow in terms of plot. Yara’s voice is so strong, and her situation is so heartbreaking, that it’s impossible not to root for her as she struggles to keep herself afloat amid a pretty dire mental health crisis and intense familial responsibilities. I like how Rum portrays the additional barriers Yara faces when it comes to seeking help: a fear of being seen as a stereotypical “oppressed” Arab woman, a cultural pressure to fulfill the perfect housewife image, generational trauma, and an idea that her struggles don’t matter compared to the situations of her parents and grandparents. Rum uses thoughtful characterization and evocative writing to capture a critical moment in a deeply traumatized and unappreciated person’s life in which they might either succumb to destructive tendencies or—with the help of caring friends and mental health resources—begin a healing journey.
My only criticism of the book is that it gets a bit repetitive at the beginning when it comes to Yara’s situation and feelings about her family life. I think these passages should have been cut in the editing process, because the rest of the book does a great job of painting a portrait of Yara’s mental state.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Evil Eye if . . .
· You enjoy literary fiction that focuses on the lives of ordinary people and mental health
You might not like Evil Eye if . . .
· You prefer more “plot-focused” or fast-paced books
Similar Books:
· Maame by Jessica George
· My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
tinamayreads's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts
bookreviewswithkb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
author of a WOMAN IS NO MAN
“she would spend her life under the weight of her unacknowledged pain, and even when she couldn’t bear it anymore, she would do whatever she could to set it down, even if it meant hurting the people around her.”
a reflection on what happens when a woman’s life becomes completely consumed by fulfilling the expectations placed upon her, of things she really doesn’t want to do, rather than living her life according to the things that are pleasing for the sake of being pleasing, the things that are only for herself, the things that no one believed she was capable of
this is such a character driven story and i was rooting for them as much as i was frustrated by them. i wanted to hate Fadi, the main character’s husband, but i understand him too. the way society has ingrained in us that we have to work hard and ignore our emotions, particularly men. that there is no room for emotions or talking about how we feel or acknowledging that the “fucked up shit” we went through was actually traumatic. patriarchy is bad for all of us
you all will definitely want to pre-order, run to the bookstore, place a hold at your library, whatever you need to do to get this in your hands when it releases on September 5th, 2023
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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