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A review by sidekicksam
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli, عدنية شبلي
4.0
A novella that packs a punch.
Minor Detail tells a story in two parts, starting with an atrocious event that happens during the Nakba in 1948. 25 years after it happened, a young woman reads about it, and decides to dive further into the story.
Despite the novel being so short in length, I was transported to another time and place. Shibli's writing is incredibly sharp and dense with metaphors, but the build up to the climax of both parts of the story is very well done. As it's so short, it's possible to read it in one sitting, which makes it also more impactful (to be able to read it so fast).
I wish I read this for book club or a buddy read, because I think this novel needs to be explored and discussed to uncover all the layers of the story. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend you read this (especially if you want to amplify Palestinian stories and voices).
Minor Detail tells a story in two parts, starting with an atrocious event that happens during the Nakba in 1948. 25 years after it happened, a young woman reads about it, and decides to dive further into the story.
Despite the novel being so short in length, I was transported to another time and place. Shibli's writing is incredibly sharp and dense with metaphors, but the build up to the climax of both parts of the story is very well done. As it's so short, it's possible to read it in one sitting, which makes it also more impactful (to be able to read it so fast).
I wish I read this for book club or a buddy read, because I think this novel needs to be explored and discussed to uncover all the layers of the story. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend you read this (especially if you want to amplify Palestinian stories and voices).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Rape, Death, and Physical abuse