Scan barcode
A review by rarasreads
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
3.75
This was a deeply haunting tale told in two parts. The first part discusses the daily minutiae of an Israeli commander in the Negev region and the brutal war crime he and his soldiers commit against a young Bedouin girl in 1949. The second half portrays the present day perspective of an anxious Palestinian woman who searches for additional information on this overlooked minor detail in Palestinian-Israeli history.
I felt all the details throughout this novella were well written and held a great deal of significance, especially when listening on audio. The author did a remarkable job drawing parallels between Parts 1 and 2 and emphasizing certain motifs to reflect the overarching themes of cruelty, pain, oppression, and Israeli occupation. However, I found Part 1 - as graphic and harrowing as it was - a bit more impactful. Nevertheless, Part 2 underscores the ways trauma has manifested itself in the minds and bodies of Palestinians since the Nakba. The conclusion, albeit not a happy or hopeful one, further showcases just how real and bleak the experiences of many have been and continue to be.
It is difficult to say that I enjoyed this book given the dark subject matter. However, the discomfort of reading this pales in comparison to the everyday horrors the Palestinians are currently facing. Therefore, I highly recommend this story to all seeking to better understand the plight of the Palestinian community.
I felt all the details throughout this novella were well written and held a great deal of significance, especially when listening on audio. The author did a remarkable job drawing parallels between Parts 1 and 2 and emphasizing certain motifs to reflect the overarching themes of cruelty, pain, oppression, and Israeli occupation. However, I found Part 1 - as graphic and harrowing as it was - a bit more impactful. Nevertheless, Part 2 underscores the ways trauma has manifested itself in the minds and bodies of Palestinians since the Nakba. The conclusion, albeit not a happy or hopeful one, further showcases just how real and bleak the experiences of many have been and continue to be.
It is difficult to say that I enjoyed this book given the dark subject matter. However, the discomfort of reading this pales in comparison to the everyday horrors the Palestinians are currently facing. Therefore, I highly recommend this story to all seeking to better understand the plight of the Palestinian community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Rape, and Murder