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krisheiney 's review for:

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
4.5
challenging dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I picked up this book because of its political snub, because I don’t want that event to limit the book’s readership.

In line with the title, the focus of both parts of the narration focus in on minor details—the order in which parts of one’s body are washed, the wrinkles on a woman’s face, chewing gum—and this serves to highlight the enormity of the major events relegated to the backdrop. 

Shibli’s writing is understated and contemplative, and her narrative eye on the past and present of the war captures the enormity of it in surprisingly few pages. I look forward to reading more of her books.

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