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artemisadam's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very lyrical and red like poetry. The writers attention to detail in packing as much as she can into digestible sentences was delightful. There were sections of the plot which I found to be a bit of a drag, but would recommend to anyone who wants to read about the Palestinian diaspora from a fresh perspective.
book_love001's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
whatsmomreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
After fleeing Palestine shortly after The Six Day War of 1967, Salma Yacoub has relocated with her 3 children; Widad, Alia and Mustafa. Widowed and rebuilding their life, Salma prepares for her middle daughter Alia’s wedding. When she does the ceremonial coffee dreg reading on the eve of the wedding it reveals a life of instability for her daughter’s future family. What unfolds over decades is a story about the family and the ripple effects of war as they grow and change.
I don’t even know where to begin with this novel as it was so beautiful, endearing, tragic and yet hopeful. Alyan’s writing style is so poetic, she managed to make simple actions sound so much more profound. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of her writing.
As for the story, I know the Yacoub family is going to stay with me for a very long time. Each chapter being told by a different family member added so much depth to the story as well as the individuals. It also helps so much with the transitions and covering so much time as the novel begins in 1963 and ends in 2014.
It was heartbreaking to see as generations grew how far removed they started to feel from their Palestinian roots as each generation had to relocate during different wars. They were aching for a home that they never knew and it’s a feeling that’s going to stay with me for a very long time.
I really loved seeing how the relationships between mothers and daughters were also challenged as each generation faced her own struggles and developing freedoms.
There’s so so so much more I could say but I really hope everyone gives it a read because these stories matter more and more every day.
edenprose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
samanthaxe's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows multiple generations of a Palestinian family. The story starts with Salma, who reads her daughter Alia’s coffee grounds before Alia’s wedding. What she sees foretells an Odyssey-like journey across countries and cultures, with the family seemingly never to return to their native Palestine. I especially loved the parts of this book that meditated on how younger generations perceive (or don’t) what their elders have gone through, and what it means to be “from” somewhere you have never been.
vickiezw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
amberinpieces's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Pregnancy, Vomit, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death of parent, Animal death, Cursing, Drug use, Excrement, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, Sexism, Torture, and Violence
violet_primroses's review against another edition
dark
informative
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
3.5
jreadsalot's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
dianlisa's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.0
Quite disappointing. Too many characters and it seems the author lost her focus because she wanted to tell everything about everyone. This should have been a short stories book which characters are connected one to another, instead of a novel.