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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This is a fantastic collection of short stories from across the Palestinian diaspora.
Nayrouz writing style is real and raw but also otherworldly and magical in a way. She takes us from small every day joys to overwhelming sadness, as well as generational family drama and trauma.
I could tell she was a woman’s rights activist by the way she writes her female characters, they were so strong and forthright, I loved them.
She also played with time in a fascinating way with some of her stories through flashbacks, flash forwards and reminiscences.
Nayrouz writing style is real and raw but also otherworldly and magical in a way. She takes us from small every day joys to overwhelming sadness, as well as generational family drama and trauma.
I could tell she was a woman’s rights activist by the way she writes her female characters, they were so strong and forthright, I loved them.
She also played with time in a fascinating way with some of her stories through flashbacks, flash forwards and reminiscences.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Essential reading
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
The Sea Cloak tidak hanya mengangkat tema besar tentang resistensi masyarakat Palestina terhadap penjajahan Israel, tetapi juga menyoroti patriarki yang dibenarkan dengan dalih agama. Dalam beberapa cerita, pejuang perempuan di sini sering kali ditundukkan dengan ekspektasi untuk menjadi perempuan yang pasif, tidak perlu menempuh pendidikan tinggi, tidak patut menyalurkan resistensi melalui seni, dan rentan terhadap poligami yang tidak mendesak.
Sebagai pembaca, aku merasa geram, tetapi yang menguatkan adalah karakter-karakter perempuan yang memiliki daya self-respect bahkan melawan yang cukup tinggi terhadap segala bentuk kekuasaan itu. Misal, mereka berusaha untuk tidak meneruskan trauma generasional kepada anak-anak perempuan mereka, atau mencari kekuatan dalam solidaritas sesama perempuan dan/atau kelompok marginal lainnya.
Kumpulan cerita pendek ini cukup deskriptif, dan terima kasih kepada penerjemahnya, karena kata-kata yang digunakan mudah kupahami. Meskipun ada beberapa bagian yang butuh dibaca lebih dari sekali agar bisa lebih dalam memahaminya. Secara keseluruhan, buku ini cukup berpengaruh untuk memberikan gambaran yang cukup jelas tentang keadaan Palestina dari lintas perspektif dan waktu.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Police brutality, Car accident
If you take one recommendation from me, please let it be this one. Nayrouz shows the reader what everyday life is like in Gaza, and does it through a collection of short stories that accomplish more than what most full length books that I have read have ever done. This powerful collection of stories focus around what seem like mundane moments told through multiple points of view that turn out to be harrowing accounts of what it means to simply exist as a Palestinian. A highly recommended read.
“She takes a deep breath, looks at herself in the mirror and pulls her hair back. ‘We have been through worse’, she tells herself. ‘This will pass and soon it will be as if nothing ever happened today’.”
“She takes a deep breath, looks at herself in the mirror and pulls her hair back. ‘We have been through worse’, she tells herself. ‘This will pass and soon it will be as if nothing ever happened today’.”
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
sometimes I want to shake people by the shoulders and tell them kissing westerners' feet won't make them care for you
Absolutely, beautifully written and translated. My favorite translated fiction of this year. So, so happy I decided to read this for my last reading wrap up of 2024.
A true local perspective on what it means to be a Palestinian, to live in Gaza, a global story that everyone knows but least understands.
A true local perspective on what it means to be a Palestinian, to live in Gaza, a global story that everyone knows but least understands.