misspalah's reviews
1061 reviews

Wajah sastera Sarawak: Sebuah kumpulan esei by Hamzah Hamdani

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

 "Saya sokong PBB!" Kata lelaki muda itu. Rawnahim melongo. Sebenarnya, jiwanya membenci nama itu. PBB adalah nama besar. PBB - Persatuan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu.
Atau sesekali dia terasa lelucon tersangkut pada nama besar - PBB - itu, kerana kadang-kadang PBB disebut sebagai: PEMBOHONGAN BANGSA-BANGSA BERTAMADUN. Semua orang cakap PBB tidak berfungsi lagi. Semua orang kata PBB tidak boleh diharap lagi. Dan semua orang bilang PBB tidak berkokok, menyalak dan mengaum lagi. Kalau disinonimkan PBB sebagai jantan, dia sememangaya sudah mati “. Tetapi saya tidak! Saya bukanlah seperti PBB itu! Saya bersimpati terhadap golongan miskin itu. Ada anak kecil yang masih bayi dibuang ke dalam tong sampah! Bukankah itu kejam?
Mengapa encik sokong PBB?" Rawnahim tunduk seperti ber-sedih. Dia benci PBB, dan dia marah PBB dan dia tidak suka lagi PBB seperti dulu-dulu. Sesekali perasaan itu dilontarkan jauh dipojok hatinya. Entah mengapa dia tidak tahu, adakah kerana nama itu PBB atau karutnya PBB kepada para anggotanya?
- Penjual Surat Khabar dan Lampu Isyarat by Buang Haji Umar (Wajah Kita - Antologi Karya Penulis Sarawak)
.
Full disclosure - Aside from Jeniri Amir and Jong Chian Lai, i have never read any of these authors. I think whenever local authors is being mentioned especially from Sabah And Sarawak, the exposure is still not much especially if they are writing it in Malay. But, this book was compiled in such a solid manner. I enjoyed almost all the short stories in it despite some themes were quite outdated but it is understandable considering the publication year. The poems compiled also were penned by 16 poets in such an emotive and intense manner. The only drawback i can share from these poems is that some of it focused the place that located oversea. I would rather much read about places in Sarawak rather than poems about edinburgh and so on (even though it is written by Sarawakian Poets). None of the themes were repetitive and you can see the diversity in what they are trying to point out in the poem. I think the essays is the most surprising part of the book - it brought forward so many arguments and convincing points in highlighting the strengths and weakness of one of the prominent sarawakian literature - Melati Sarawak by Muhammad Rakawi Yusuf and Kelingkang by Douglas Jaga. I have read Kelingkang so i am able to take it in what the author trying to argue in his essays but I have not yet read Melati Sarawak. The thing is once you have read the critical essay of a novel, you already know the story and ‘the supposed theory of what went wrong with the book’ - which i find at the end of the day did cause me not wanting to read the book anymore despite its being the first modern novel written in Sarawak. Overall, this has been a great read! I did provide content below just in case if you are curious on the list of works that has been compiled in this book.
.
ESSAY / ESEI
1. Saiee Driss - Masyarakat Melayu di Kuching Akhir Tahun 1920-an: Analisis Sosiobudaya Novel Melati Sarawak
2. Jeniri Amir - Puisi Mutakhir Penyair Sarawak : antara Konvensi, Inovasi dan Estetika
3. Awang Azman Awang Pawi
- Kritikan Sastera Sarawak : Dahulu, Kini dan Masa Depan
- Ikon Kebudayaan Kelingkang*
.
SHORT STORIES / CERPEN
Jali Haji Kenoi - Tidak Semuanya Sama
Jong Chian Lai
- Bulan Bercanda
- Jalur Gemilang
Hajijah Jais
- Anak Cucu Berbelang-belang
Dahiri Saini
- Aneh @ Fitrah
- Monolog
Jais Sahok
- Munajat di Pusara
Douglas Jaga
- Tumbuhnya Sepohon Kelapa ...
- Fajar Yang Merah
Awangku Merali Pengeran Mohammed
- Air Hati
Buang Haji Umar
- Penjual Surat Khabar dan Lampu Isyarat
.
POEMS / PUISI
Roslan Jomel
- Surat kepada Aying
- Gelas di Tepi Tasik
Adi Badiozaman Tuah
- Pertemuan di Hyde Park
- Tetamu Malam di Paris
- Pertemuan di Edinburgh
Abizai
- ilham
- ilham (2)
Mohd. Taufek Mohd. Saed Merasa Khuatir
- Menjadi Sentimental
- Menterjemah Bibir
Hajah Latifah Haji Mohd. Shebli
- Kabut di Padang Merdeka
- Pertemuan Ini
- Khabarkan kepada Nusantara Il
Poul Nanggang
- Senapang Ayah
- Melakarkan Ego
Zahirah Zaidani
- Cinta Rasulullah
- Bahasa yang Paling Ibu
Jeli Bohari Bihar
- Bulan Terlalu Jauh
- Di Matamu Nestapa
Saiee Driss
- Burung Pungguk
- Banjir 2001
- Menerka
Pharo Abdul Hakim
- Namanya Suhana a/p Marina
- Sayonara
Jali Haji Kenoi
- Siang Ini
Hipani Alwi
- Sungai
- Daun
Yusuf Mustanir
- Mona Lisa dan Menara Condong Pisa
- Alam Melayu Baru
- Perjuangan dan Aku (Buat Joan yang merayau di Senja Luzern)
Dahiri Saini
- Tikus
- Kucingku
- Logik
Jaafar Haji Hamdan
- Jangan
- Laut Kehidupan
- Setelah Langit Menjadi Biru
Jais Sahok
- Pemberontakan Puisi 

Undefeated: Confessions of a Tibetan Warrior by Douglas Preston, Paljo Thondup, Susan Sutliff Brown

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

 But being even an ordinary lama wasn't my dream. I kicked at the dirt. "I don't want to be a holy man." Looking toward a snow-capped peak, he seemed to consider my question, then smiled. "No, Bu (son). You can't be a monk. Because you're the only child in the family, you will have to inherit my position as gyenpo and carry on family tradition." Really? My fingertips began to tingle. Was this the good news I thought it was? Did my father believe we would come home again? That going to Central Tibet was only temporary? He hadn't said so before. I could feel my shoulders relaxing. Okay. So we just had to kick the Chinese out of Tibet. Meanwhile, I wasn't so sure I wanted to be a gyenpo. I offered my father's youngest brother in my place. "Uncle Delshik is only six years older than me, and he could fill in." My father laughed. "That won't work. It's tradition. Only the first and oldest son has that responsibility, and you're the only son." I met his eyes and nodded. Okay. My mother would be sad I wasn't a monk, but I could see it now-the colorful headdress on my pony. Together Dupa and I would continue our families' centuries-old heritage as the powerful and rich leaders of our tribe. Things were looking better. Above us, one small patch of clouds in the vast blue sky suddenly produced a brief rain shower followed by bright double rainbows. A sign. And then the conversation took a prophetic turn that would guide my life once my father was gone. As if he were trying to identify a birdcall, my father paused. "Yes, but so much for tradition. You can also do away with being either a monk or a gyenpo. Things change in time."
- Confessions of A Tibetan Warrior by Paljor Thondup
.
I found Paljor's stories of how resilient Tibetans are given what they have go through is incredible. Despite the intensifying occupation, the way they lead their lives before the whole invasion is particularly honourable and filled with compassion. The way he longed for his land is saddening but it was more baffling to read how he described Tibetan’s were suffering from abuse, poverty, hunger, and the loss of their families and up to the point they were imprisoned for minor offenses and resisted the harsh occupation by the Chinese Red Army. In this book, Paljor Thondup portrays Tibetan life against the backdrop of significant events in Chinese history. The book briefly touches upon events like The Long March, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the liberalization of the 1980s, and a subsequent period of increased repression. Notably, during these events, China's Red Army and communist cadres carried out systematic massacres of hundreds of thousands of Tibetans in Amdo and Kham regions, with the intention of enslaving the survivors in the 1950s that brought Paljor Thondup’s family into the equation. The life trajectory of Paljor Thondup takes a significant turn when his family rises to resist the invaders. Consequently, his entire family, except for Paljor and his cousin Dupa, is brutally slaughtered. Moved by his father's dying wishes, Paljor decides to lay down his weapons and embark on a new path. He migrates to India to seek assistance from the Dalai Lama. Both Paljor and Dupa then pursue a modern education and become businessmen, continuing the struggle for Tibet. The final portion of the book focuses on Paljor's endeavours to shed light on the tragic fate that befell his family and his aspirations to return to his homeland. I need to be frank that i have limited recollection of learning or reading about the plight of Tibet under China’s rule. Therefore, this book served as a unique window into a world that is often unseen and unimaginable to many of us. It goes beyond depicting the cruelty humans inflict upon one another and delves into the exploration of cultural differences and the immense challenge of maintaining one's true self, identity, and culture in the face of horrific treatment by oppressive regimes. Although the book was co-written and co-compiled by another author, Susan Sutliff Brown, I must commend the remarkable level of detail presented, considering the gravity of Paljor's life and the experiences of his family. Overall, a high recommended read especially if you have zero knowledge on Tibet / Tibetans and would like to start somewhere. 

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

“The west you talk about doesn’t exist. It’s a fairytale, a fantasy you sell yourself because the alternative is to admit that you are the least important character in your own story. You invent an entire world because your conscience demands it, you invent good people and bad people and you draw a neat line between them because your simplistic morality demands it. But the two kinds of people in this world are not good and bad, they are engines and fuel. Go ahead, change your country, change your name, change your accent, pull the skin right off your bones, but in their eyes they will always be the engines and you will always, always be fuel.”

― Omar El Akkad, What Strange Paradise

.

The book is about a refugee crisis mixed with a loose retelling of Peter Pan. Amir, who calls himself David when he arrives, ends up on a beach near a resort town. This mirrors the real event from September 2, 2015, when a photo of 3-year-old Alan Kurdi, who drowned trying to reach Greece, shocked the world. The book aims to highlight the refugee crisis and its complexities. In the story, Vänna, the main character, finds Amir and does her best to help him despite being young and facing a language barrier. Amir has to decide if he can trust Vänna, and she has to figure out how far she will go to help him, even if it’s more than she can handle. The book's slow pace reflects the heavy emotions of the children’s situation.

Chapters are labeled "Before" or "After," referring to Vänna. These pieces reveal more about Amir, though they don't add much to the plot. The book discusses important themes like climate change and war forcing people from their homes. I appreciated the focus on children but wished they had more voice. Instead, the story gave more space to the powerful adult character. Another downside was the lack of development for most characters. The book portrays war in simple good vs. evil terms, missing its complicated, messy nature. Despite these issues, it’s a thought-provoking book, though it feels average until the end.

The Baghdad Eucharist by Sinan Antoon

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I felt remorseful because I liked needling her for no reason. I wasn’t pious or devout the way she was, but I had faith in my own way. I just didn’t put much store by obligations and teachings. I considered them signposts on the path to God for those who needed them—a code of conduct that they felt was necessary, but I felt no such need. I knew that God existed, that the universe and all it encompassed weren’t just random occurrences that had no rhyme or reason—even though I still had many questions to which I hadn’t found any clear answers. Questions about the universe, about mankind and nature. The question that bothered me in particular was how God could allow all the evil “ there was without punishing its perpetrators, despite being omnipresent—not just in holy books, prayers, and houses of worship, but in nature, in beauty. It didn’t matter to me which of the many paths to God people followed. The path itself was no guarantee of the seeker’s purity, in any case. People, both good and bad, trod the path to God, and some thought theirs was the only true way.”
- The Baghdad Eucharist by Sinan Antoon
.
In this book, despite a slow start, I am captivated by the exploration of family dynamics and the tragic history of Iraq. It serves as a reminder to many of us that not all Iraqis are Muslim and how the author highlights the difficult choices people face during times of violence. The book also sheds light on the plight of the Iraqi Christian community, one of the oldest in the world, which has suffered greatly after the US invasion of Iraq and the rise of ISIS. The story follows a Christian family in modern-day Baghdad, with an elderly uncle living in the past and his niece and her husband who have only known war and turmoil. The book reaches a climax when they are held hostage at their church, resulting in the loss of many lives and a profound transformation for the niece. Despite being an easy read, the book manages to evoke strong emotions and complexity, providing a nuanced perspective on Christians in Iraq and the overall situation in the country.

The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Marriage was a disappointment. Colder than Hortensia had imagined, it was the sad end to her Sunday-school belief in the lore of Noah - that life was best lived in pairs. Instead, marriage had turned out to not be much after all. It was the tedium of little domestic details. It was negotiating the tiresome habits of another. Marriage also made Hortensia suspicious when she met new people. Where was the nastiness in this one? she would think to herself as she handed change to a trader or stood to be measured by a polite seamstress. She'd seen Peter cradle an injured bird so gently that the animal had managed to come to a state of calm. And, in the heat of one of his moods, she'd seen him smash a plate to the floor. Not just any plate, but the gold-leaf-painted Chinese porcelain plate that she'd spent months negotiating for and finally wangled out of a dealer in London. It had been her favourite, with four pheasants and four orchids arranged along the face, flecks of gold dancing between them like magic dust.

What happened? This was a common question she asked herself. And then Hortensia would work backwards through their time together, through the string of little and big arguments, offences taken, insults applied. Often the house settled into weeks of corrosive silence. The silence was easier than the booby-trapped mission of attempting conversation. But sometimes the silence wasn't a relief, it was a form of punishment.

• The woman next door by Yewande Omotoso

.

.

This literary fiction novel revolves around two elderly women of different races, one white and one black, who live next to each other in the 1950s around the affluent neighbourhood. Both are well-educated and have lost their husbands. While one might expect their shared grief to quickly foster a friendship, their bond develops very slowly. What I found most enjoyable were their individual backstories, which initially seem unrelated to their relationship but ultimately explain their backgrounds and their past. I cheered for these two eccentric seniors. Despite their opposing personalities and backgrounds, each woman's history of regret and heartache endeared them to me, if not to each other. I was intrigued by Marion's grasp of her ingrained racist attitudes and her guilt in perpetuating apartheid (although most of the time, it can be highly unlikely this happened in real life).  Hortensia's struggles, on the other hands, were more personal involving her husband’s extramarital affairs which ended with some changes in his will for his ‘daughter’ This book isn't focused on the historical aspects of post-apartheid South Africa, as it only touches on them briefly. Instead, it examines human nature and the essence of racism, revealing the histories that shaped these women when they finally have a heartfelt conversation. I have to applaud the author for skilfully explores the complexities of long-term female friendship. I adored the novel, despite it becoming somewhat simplistic towards the end. For what its worth, it offered a light-hearted, entertaining, and warm exploration of aging and regrets.

Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

 The First Book i DNF for the past 5 years. 2 stars simply because in the first 100 pages, there are some quotes that i love. It is such a relieve after i joined the book discussion and found out that majority of people in the discussion did find the book difficult to follow through and believe that Amy Tan try to do so much in one book. Being the first book of Amy Tan that i read, this is such a huge disappointment given that my best friend love her books and always praised her writing. I may have to find her other books to read as many of her huge fans said that this one is a departure from her normal stuff that she used to write. 

I Am Thunder by Muhammad Khan

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

"You need to pray, Muz,' he eventually said. 'It's hard at first, course it is. Like in that famous Malcolm X quote! 'What quote?' Wasn't Malcolm X just a badáss version of Martin Luther King? "Just a sec, he said. I heard rustling, as if he was rifling through a book. 'Got it. OK, you listening, Muz?' 'All ears.' 'OK, here it is, he said, and began to read. "For evil to bend its knees, admitting its guilt, to implore the forgiveness of God, is the hardest thing in the world. It's easy for me to see and to say that now. But then, when I was the personification of evil, I was going through il. Again, again, I would force myself back down into the praying-co-Allah posture! "Wow, I said, lost for words.

• I am thunder and i wont keep quiet by Muhammad Khan

.

.

Muzna Saleem is a fifteen-year-old who loves writing, but her parents want her to become a doctor, even though she struggles with Math and Science. As an only child, she respects her family's traditions. When her best friend gets involved in a scandal, her parents make her change schools and cut ties with her friend.

And that alone shifted the trajectory of Muzna’s life altogether. She was slowly being brainwashed and radicalized under the pretense of being in love. The book highlights how easily teenagers can be drawn into extremism and radicalization. The author, Khan, addresses serious issues like Islamophobia and radicalization through Muzna's story, making them relatable and understandable. In the foreword, the author says Muzna's experiences are supposed to be relatable to everyone, regardless of background. Themes like family pressure, inadequacy, and the need for acceptance resonate with many people. It's important that we readers realised that how young adult books is inclusive and offer diverse stories so that we can learn about the world from each other. Either difficult topics like religion and politics is highlighted in the book to promote awareness and understanding. However, the book has flaws. While authentic voices are important, it is vital that the portrayal should be accurate and realistic. The book claims to represent Islam and Muslims but sometimes reinforces stereotypes and biases. It also includes problematic elements like slut-shaming, bullying, and the idea of becoming radicalized for a romantic interest. These issues detract from the story, making it less appealing. Overall, the story is not that bad, it did possess interesting premise at some parts, but way too many cliches for me to rate this 4 stars.

Heart Songs and Other Stories by Annie Proulx

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Godawful place to live, thought Snipe, panting and grinning. He could smell cow manure and hot green growth. Pale dust sprayed up at every step. He felt it in his teeth, and when his fingers picked at his face, fine motes whirled in the thick orange light of the setting sun. A hard, glinting line of metal roof showed beyond the cornfield, and far away a wood thrush hurled cold glissandos into the stillness.

The house was old and broken, the splintery grey clapboards hanging loosely on the post-and-beam frame, the wavery glass in the windows mended with tape and cardboard. A hand-painted sign over the door said GOD FORGIVES. He could see a child's face in the window, see fleering mouth and squinting eyes before it turned away. Arook, arook, came a ferocious baying and barking from the dogs chained to narrow lean-tos beside the house. They stood straining at the edges of their dirt circles and clamored at his strangeness. Snipe stood on the broken millstone that served as a doorstep. Threads of corn silk lay on the granite. He was let into the stifling kitchen by the child whose uncontrolled face he had seen.

• Heart Songs by E. Annie Proulx

.

This is the first book I've read by this author. She's really good at describing places and characters in just a few pages. Her writing style changes a lot - sometimes the perspective shifts, there are flashbacks, or she adds numbered sub-stories. She likes to try new things in her writing to keep it interesting, both for herself and for readers like us. Just like the title suggests, these stories are like songs from the heart, songs that show the struggles of life. The descriptions of the people who are just trying to survive, like the natives of the area, and the tension between them and the rich, summer visitors who come from the city, really bring out the loss the natives feel. This loss could be a secret hunting spot or their family history, their land, or their homes. Annie Proulx tells stories about the darkness, greed, and dispossession in rural areas. She captured despite being a woman author, to write what is like to do hunting, farming, and how both tough men and women survives, all in a desolate and forgotten landscape. She really gets to the heart of the message, and the characters feel very relatable and interesting. This book has eleven stories, and they're a bit uneven - some are good, but others are not as strong. They're very different from my everyday life, so I didn't connect with them as much. I can't really explain why I didn't like them much, it's just that I didn't feel connected to the settings. But I'm still interested in reading more of her books as I think more people should read her books not just for the story, but for her great writing.

From the Belly of the Cat by Stephanie Ye

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don't own a cat and I suspect I never will. There's a post that circulates in the bowels of the Internet that basically ends with the punchline, "I think that 'I think you're incompetent and I don't want you to starve' is the maximum level of love a cat is able to give." That level of aloofness does not endear them to me (nor me to them, I suspect). But I am glad they are in my life. I am glad they are in everyone's lives.

• J.Y. Yang , Tiger Baby  : From the belly of the cat edited by Stephanie Ye

I love that this book included ‘about the writer’ and ‘about my relationship with cats’ at the end of each story. It added depth and connection as to why those stories was written in such manner. I am glad ‘That Fat Cat, Ate Dad’s Hat’ is placed at the end of the compilation because it was such a good story. It is simple yet capturing the belief that cat was blessed with 9 lives - either they came back stronger and uninjured or they were reborn to be different cat. For this particular story, the author decided to go with the second route. ‘Waiting for william’ might not be  everyone’s favourite but they are exactly how i imagined cats carry their conversation with each other. Being the little troll and unserious creatures that they are, they will do whatever they want and we humans particularly those who love cats will enjoy their shenanigans and foolish acts. ‘Visiting’ story, on another hand, showed that cat has long been a source of comfort. One could never understand cat unless you have lived with them. Through cat, they offered sanctuary, safety and security. Its hard to believe that such feisty creature capable of offering those things but they are indeed. Overall, i would say i really enjoy this book even with the stories that i dont really like or get in the first reading BUT thematically, putting cat as the centre of the plot is such a wholesome combo. I cried, I mourned, I was mesmerised, i chuckled and i was in awe how well these writers nailed cats behavior and attitude in these stories. I love love love this book because i just love cat. But if cat is not your vibe, you might skip this book. 

.

.

P/s : For those who are undecided or claimed to dislike or never like cat, you never know you are a cat person until cat distribution system strikes you and now you are stuck with one of them. 

Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

“I looked at Mama’s face, that thing in my chest squeezing again, and it occurred to me that she had been around my age when she was forced out of her home in Palestine. She had come to Amman then too, before journeying on to Kuwait with my father. It seemed to me that fate was inherited, like eye color. I wondered if she had felt the same disorientation that now ruled my days. Had it been all she could think about—the incomprehensibility of forced, permanent displacement?”

• Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa

.

.

Long live the Palestinian Resistance and Liberation movement! The protagonist of the story is Nahr, who is known by multiple names (Almas / Yaqoot), reflecting the different lives she has lived. From Palestine to Kuwait, Jordan, and back to Palestine, Nahr's journey is constantly disrupted by external forces. The narrative shifts between the past and the present, eventually converging at the end.

Nahr's Palestinian heritage plays a significant role in the story, driving her character and experiences. Initially feeling disconnected from her homeland, Nahr's circumstances lead her back to Palestine, where she forms a deep bond with her land and people. The author fearlessly explores the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, highlighting the harsh realities faced by Palestinians, such as restrictions, imprisonment, torture, loss of life, and the suppression of their rich culture and traditions. Despite her dark past, Nahr's humor and sarcasm bring light and hope to the story. She is a fearless and unapologetic character who leaves a lasting impression. The structure of the book, alternating between Nahr's life in the Cube (Israhell Prison) and her past, is well-executed and complements the narrative. The ending is natural and hopeful, rather than forced and contrived. Ultimately, this book serves as a historical lesson, presented in the form of a memoir with a narrative style. It provides valuable insights into the history of the Middle East, including Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine. The horrors inflicted by Israhell on Palestine are depicted in a captivating manner, interweaving fact with fiction. The story is filled with themes of resistance, resilience, and rebellion, offering glimpses of hope amidst the haunting narrative. Susan Abulhawa's beautiful prose vividly portrays the horrors endured by Palestinians at the hands of Israeli soldiers, while also capturing their resilience and strength. The book also sheds light on the consequences faced by people after Kuwait's liberation, including the impact of Arafat's connection with Saddam Hussein on Palestinians, particularly those living in Kuwait. Susan Abulhawa humanizes the refugee experience, emphasizing the suffering and hardships endured by women. She gives voice to Palestinians who have experienced multiple exiles from Palestine and other countries in the Middle East. The author draws parallels between the African American experience and Palestinians under Israeli apartheid rule, highlighting the close collaboration between the Black Panther Party and the Palestinian Resistance during the civil rights movement. This book undeniably has moved me deeply. It is a powerful read that everyone should experience. As someone passionate about the Palestinian cause, this book intensified my feelings. It was heartbreaking to realize that things have not changed, and we are witnessing a second Nakba. I hope and pray that I can see a free Palestine in my lifetime. I highly recommend this book; it will challenge and enrich you. It is truly unputdownable.