A well-written and easy-to-follow novel that tells the story of three generations of Palestinian – American women.
This book is about the immigrant experience, a story about culture, secrets, love, violence, and shame. An intimate exploration of a controlled and closed culture, visible yet invisible.

Etaf has described each character with great complexity, which makes you sometimes almost sympathise with the one causing the suffering. Husbands take frustrations out on their wives, mothers on daughters and daughters-in-law, even down to grandchildren. The story has you gripped. Who will stand up? Which woman will have the strength to break out of this unending cycle of total desolation?

From a refugee camp in Ramallah to Brooklyn. A Palestinian family carries the traumas of the occupation. Powerless in the face of Israeli soldiers, the men carry these defeats home and disinter the aggression on their wives.

The wives take it out on their children and carry on this closed culture of women's oppression. Seeking help or talking about domestic violence is a shame. So this invisible cloak of shame is used to keep the women under control for fear of what the community or other family members may think.

It’s a story of pain, inner turmoil, silence, and resilience. A unique and important book about the Palestinian (Arab) – American experience. Highly recommend!