This novel is a beautifully emotional exploration of cultural norms, gender roles, generational trauma and the Palestinian-American experience. 

Told through three generations of Palestinian-American women, this story absolutely blew me away. Etaf Rum’s ability to communicate fear, hope and pain all at once, often within the same few sentences, is so skilful and lends itself well to this interlinked cultural exploration.

This is a tough read but it is so well written and so filled with intrigue that it truly did feel like an enjoyable, if emotional time. The resilience of these characters in the face of such adversity and trauma was astounding and Etaf really has you rooting for each character so much so that you become completely entirely absorbed in their lives. 

Though the majority of this novel plays out in America, I came away with an even richer image of Palestinian culture, both within Palestine and in the wider diaspora. Hearing the reflections of those characters who had spent part of their lives in Palestine truly reflected the fact that the genocide, ethnic cleansing and occupation of the Palestinian people is nothing new.

All this being said I recommend this book as well as Etaf’s novel Evil Eye which I enjoyed as well, just not quite as much as this one.