1.83k reviews for:

Salt Houses

Hala Alyan

4.2 AVERAGE

_poojaa's review against another edition

4.5

emotional 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

dearaura's review against another edition

4.25

emotional inspiring reflective sad

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

rkeighley's review against another edition

4.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

ziyanryu's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

aeary's review against another edition

3.5

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

annabtlr's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

leilabobeila's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful reflective 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: No

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A beautiful multi-generational novel written from the perspectives of various members of a Palestinian family displaced by Israeli occupation and war. Using different viewpoints from the family members at varying ages and stages in their lives, it offers glimpses into the family dynamics, impact of displacement on sense of belonging and the idea of home, the fear of the unknown caused by war and different coping mechanisms of it, and the secrets we hold from those close to us. The authors poetry background shined through and made you fall in love with every family member, flaws and all, for their thoughts, raw emotions, and humanity. I loved following their growth and changes over six decades. A relevant read for today to amplify Palestinian voices and experiences. 

feministmidwife's review

4.0

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I have a feeling that on re-read, I will give this five stars. Alyan's scoping generational narrative is gorgeous, and her parallel life as a poet really shines through. I loved listening to this, the narrator was so engaging and dynamic. Will read the physical copy on re-read and absord it with the energy that I've taken away from the audiobook.

margaritasinthestacks's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

molly247's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot