Reviews - The Sea Cloak and other stories

90 reviews for:

The Sea Cloak and other stories

Nayrouz Qarmout

4.08 AVERAGE

jayisreading's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

This was such a beautifully translated (and written, I imagine) collection of short stories that focuses on Palestinian life in Gaza. These stories aren’t entirely political in nature, though the political tension over the years between Israel and Palestine is ever-present in these pages, all of which goes to show that this is everyday living. As stated, the focus is primarily on everyday life through the eyes of different Palestinians. These stories cover a broad range of emotions and thoughts that these characters feel as the days pass, allowing Qarmout to include some commentary on issues that I imagine she cares about (e.g., feminism). As much violence and heartbreak as there are in these stories, there are still beautiful moments that encourage the reader to consider the joys of the little things in life.

Content Warnings

wryneck's review against another edition

3.5

reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

anetq's review against another edition

3.0

Short stories from Palestine. Beautiful images of life, love and dance ...and suicide bombers and drone attacks. I like the way it paints a portrait of life and normalcy broken by bloody intervals, but it is also dissatisfying as a reader, the way some short story collections are. I miss a little more plot, a little less imagery - but hey, that's just me. The writing is beautiful.