Etaf Rum really captures the feeling of an anxiety attack so well, I was shocked and amazed at how much of this I found familiar. Specially in the relationship between the trauma and suffering of a culture mixed with the patriarchal horror it's consumed by.

I rooted for Yara every step of the way and it's careful depiction of the perpetuators and victims is perfect to really get people to understand what those effects are like. Rum's prose is easy to read and keep it's characters grounded. As a first generation born son of an immigrant single mother, there were so many moments I saw our relationship reflected back at me with such uncanny emotion. And I am reminded of the power of sharing our stories and their importance.

None of us live in a vacuum and the overwhelming reality of the atrocities in history hurt us while we sleep, while we dream, while in peace and I hope with everything I have that one day they can be over for those that survive and come after us.