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A review by clarissacardona
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
I realize this is technically a work of fiction, but it never fails to stun me how little those of us living in the United States know about what goes on globally or how one sided the narrative(s) becomes in the media. This novel depicts the horrors of violence inflicted on generations of Palestinians. It was published in 2006 but is still incredibly relevant today with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war.
While this novel may come of as biased in its storytelling, but it is important to see the other side of this war. It is both enlightening and devastating to read. Yes, Israelis are the villains here but what Abulhawa really highlights is loss. The loss of home, safety, and family, but also the loss of any friendship such as that of our protagonist's father with a Jewish settler. It's a shame that in war we can lose all sense of humanity. This novel serves as a reminder that all people have a right to live and that we can overcome prejudices.
While this novel may come of as biased in its storytelling, but it is important to see the other side of this war. It is both enlightening and devastating to read. Yes, Israelis are the villains here but what Abulhawa really highlights is loss. The loss of home, safety, and family, but also the loss of any friendship such as that of our protagonist's father with a Jewish settler. It's a shame that in war we can lose all sense of humanity. This novel serves as a reminder that all people have a right to live and that we can overcome prejudices.