Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
books about diaspora and heritage always get to me, but unfortunately the writing of this book wasn’t strong enough to be emotionally convincing. it plodded. even though every character was described as very different, and had different goals and desires, their inner voices sounded so similar. also … the fat characters being matronly and quiet and religious was not a strong choice for me. spending so much time in every character’s head and only hearing about the action through them recounting it to us was also frustrating to me. i still found it very beautiful and i would absolutely recommend it, but more for the story and themes than the writing itself.
*i learned hala alyan is primarily a poet - this is so evident throughout the book, as her prose is quietly beautiful and reflective, but also to me explains what i felt she was missing narratively.
*i learned hala alyan is primarily a poet - this is so evident throughout the book, as her prose is quietly beautiful and reflective, but also to me explains what i felt she was missing narratively.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
Couldn’t get into it. My mind wandered every time I tried to focus on it.
A moving story full of important history, and importantly, full of some of the stories of generations of Palestinians. The writing itself and the IMO more limited character development is what makes it a 4 for me.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix