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A review by jaina8851
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's been almost two months since I finished this book and I haven't been able to put together the words to say about it. I had intended to read this book in 2022 for the Palestine prompt for the StoryGraph Read The World Challenge. As with many of my reading intentions in 2022, I didn't get to it last year. But in the immediate aftermath of October 7, it felt very important to me to read this book, and I am so glad that I read it now, instead of when I originally planned on it.
This book was one of the most moving, thought provoking books I have ever read. I admit that my knowledge of the many conflicts in the region over the past several decades was surface level at best, but following this family as they are forced to immigrate from place to place, and learning about the impact of the wars on everyday people instead of in the context of a history textbook was absolutely gutwrenching. The multigenerational story was handled so beautifully. The struggles and interests and tension for each character was described so well, and then when the perspective shifted, you get to experience all of it from another family member's perspective while also being able to read between the lines about what the previous perspective character is thinking in each scene.
My book club picked this book for our January discussion and I am very much looking forward to discussing it with them because I just have so much to say about this book, I loved it so so much.
This book was one of the most moving, thought provoking books I have ever read. I admit that my knowledge of the many conflicts in the region over the past several decades was surface level at best, but following this family as they are forced to immigrate from place to place, and learning about the impact of the wars on everyday people instead of in the context of a history textbook was absolutely gutwrenching. The multigenerational story was handled so beautifully. The struggles and interests and tension for each character was described so well, and then when the perspective shifted, you get to experience all of it from another family member's perspective while also being able to read between the lines about what the previous perspective character is thinking in each scene.
My book club picked this book for our January discussion and I am very much looking forward to discussing it with them because I just have so much to say about this book, I loved it so so much.