A review by reads2cope
Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj

3.0

I found the writing beautiful and was totally captivated by the stories, but deeply disappointed that a cop was the star of this book. After reading such detailed and honest stories discussing Orientalism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, the way fatphobia and ableism were left under-interrogated left me a little shocked.

Especially after Marcus recognized his own practices in how the IOF treated him, I hoped he would return home to deeply reflect on his work and leave his role, but no. A cop is still somehow the hero of that community in the end.