A review by thecriticalreader
Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

emotional hopeful sad slow-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

4.5

I picked Evil Eye by Etaf Rum for my main Book of the Month pick in September. The blurb for the book is kind of vague, so I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not. Luckily, Evil Eye drew me in and captivated me until I had finished it within two days. I couldn’t put it down, even though it’s pretty slow in terms of plot. Yara’s voice is so strong, and her situation is so heartbreaking, that it’s impossible not to root for her as she struggles to keep herself afloat amid a pretty dire mental health crisis and intense familial responsibilities. I like how Rum portrays the additional barriers Yara faces when it comes to seeking help: a fear of being seen as a stereotypical “oppressed” Arab woman, a cultural pressure to fulfill the perfect housewife image, generational trauma, and an idea that her struggles don’t matter compared to the situations of her parents and grandparents. Rum uses thoughtful characterization and evocative writing to capture a critical moment in a deeply traumatized and unappreciated person’s life in which they might either succumb to destructive tendencies or—with the help of caring friends and mental health resources—begin a healing journey. 
 
My only criticism of the book is that it gets a bit repetitive at the beginning when it comes to Yara’s situation and feelings about her family life. I think these passages should have been cut in the editing process, because the rest of the book does a great job of painting a portrait of Yara’s mental state.
 
 
The Run-Down: 
You will probably like Evil Eye if . . . 
·      You enjoy literary fiction that focuses on the lives of ordinary people and mental health
 
You might not like Evil Eye if . . .
·      You prefer more “plot-focused” or fast-paced books 
 
Similar Books: 
·      Maame by Jessica George
·      My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
 
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