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katarinabee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racism, Colonisation, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, Death, War, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia
bookswithcuppatea's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a wonderfully written story of a Palestinian family in their precarious existence in Lebanon and Egypt, and how one member of the family reaches Australia. The story of how the family left Palestine is told by the grandmother to her granddaughters near the end of her life in Lebanon , a story she had never told anyone before.
I appreciated the insight into family dynamics in a cultural context so different from my own, and yet having grown up with sisters also relatable. Jamilah in particular was a character I felt I could empathise with, and I really hoped for her the whole way through, while I worried about how her life might turn out.
For a novel set during times of upheaval and uncertainty there are also moments of hope and beauty and joy. But there are also scenes of pain and grief. It's a novel I'd be very happy to read again, and I hope Sara M Saleh will write more novels after this!
I appreciated the insight into family dynamics in a cultural context so different from my own, and yet having grown up with sisters also relatable. Jamilah in particular was a character I felt I could empathise with, and I really hoped for her the whole way through, while I worried about how her life might turn out.
For a novel set during times of upheaval and uncertainty there are also moments of hope and beauty and joy. But there are also scenes of pain and grief. It's a novel I'd be very happy to read again, and I hope Sara M Saleh will write more novels after this!
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death, Grief, and War
Minor: Colonisation
sydneyrose18's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: War
Moderate: Domestic abuse
nibs's review
4.0
An engaging family story tracing displacement through generations.
The last quarter felt a bit rushed. I wish we got more details ofJamilah with baby Lobna, how she raised her and how her family is. But I guess all books can't be intergenerational epics. The sense of family and community really shows throguh the characters and the places - I can imagine Beit Samra.
I am tired, so not as good a summary. But I am glad I read it and appreciate the power of storytelling, particularly right now.
The last quarter felt a bit rushed. I wish we got more details of
I am tired, so not as good a summary. But I am glad I read it and appreciate the power of storytelling, particularly right now.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Islamophobia, War, and Violence
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