Reviews

Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj

kevinmccarrick's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-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

3.25

julialk's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.75

dakotawilster's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

anastasia37's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

3.75

onmalsshelf's review against another edition

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fast-paced

5.0

sunidi's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

best_lemon's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-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

always_reading's review against another edition

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fast-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

4.0

ramreadsagain's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of this book. 

A collection of interconnected short stories following Christian Palestinian-American characters living in Baltimore, across a variety of ages, professions and classes. I liked some of these much more than others (eg. weird copaganda that felt out of place?) and I do agree that at times this leans a bit too heavily into stereotypes. 

However I massively enjoyed most of these stories. Favourites included Cleaning Lentils, Worry Beads, and the titular Behind You Is The Sea. They have a focus on family and class dynamics and together with the rest paint a compelling picture of diaspora and a community infrequently spoken about. The writing is excellent and character relationships given just enough show over tell. 

bitchcraft42069's review against another edition

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3.75

It’s good but there’s no world where this is a novel