Reviews

Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj

ndbell80's review against another edition

emotional informative 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

5.0

I thought that this book was so beautiful. The decision to write it as intertwined short stories was great. I loved that each chapter could be read standalone, but when read together, it created this beautiful picture of a community. I laughed and cried and I just thought that the topics were beautiful and the words were beautiful and the humanity in the pages was beautiful. I would highly recommend this book!

laurashley's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

ojdowdeswell's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-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

5.0

reads2cope's review against another edition

3.0

I found the writing beautiful and was totally captivated by the stories, but deeply disappointed that a cop was the star of this book. After reading such detailed and honest stories discussing Orientalism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, the way fatphobia and ableism were left under-interrogated left me a little shocked.

Especially after Marcus recognized his own practices in how the IOF treated him, I hoped he would return home to deeply reflect on his work and leave his role, but no. A cop is still somehow the hero of that community in the end.

thebookhousegirl's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

4.25

bethpriddy's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

amy_egg's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful prose, beautiful characters. Susan Muaddi Darraj highlights the complexities of immigration and diaspora through her short stories. 

I went to a book club where the author joined us via Zoom. Thought I would share some highlights.

She considers Marcus the protagonist of the story. The book almost began and ended with his story, until she decided to open the book with Reema. Also… Rita is the Palestinian blogger behind #JusticeForRasha.

thearieslibrary's review against another edition

A lot of problematic content like copaganda and ableism, which really caught me off guard as I was not expecting that. At the very least, I thought the author would challenge this commentary by having other characters call out this problematic behaviour from the characters/content but unfortunately, that never happened so I decided to DNF as I couldn’t see my opinion/the content within the book changing to where accountability was taken as it continued to be left unchecked. 

This was sent to me by the publisher, which I am grateful for but unfortunately I will not be continuing to read this book due to this problematic content. 

mc1945's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.75

himalaya's review against another edition

4.0

 This is good! I like how it explored so many different types of characters and narratives. , I definitely liked some more than others but they all came together in an interesting way.

I liked the chapter about the girl trying to speak up about her school doing aladdin as their play. and also the one about the young woman staying with her grandparents,  and the last chapter about marcus returning to Palestine with his father’s body (even if I don’t like that he was a cop. but I mean that’s not portrayed as a positive thing necessarily)