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A review by ramreadsagain
Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj
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.
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.