Having mixed emotions with this read for how it grippingly revolved around one’s lifestyle and selfhood, both familial and cultural related that was plotted in a Palestinian-American community living in Baltimore; a glimpse of life narrated in episodic novel-in-stories structure told from its 8 characters in an almost interconnected 9 chapters— of adapting and accepting their struggles and fates as well the unexpected challenges they need to face of living and growing up in the family of immigrants.

I followed the homes of 3 main Christian-Palestinian families—the Baladis, the Salamehs, and the Ammars—through their backstories and perspectives; from one’s fragment of lost and resentment to a joyous wedding event with familial conflict, siblings crises, love, relationships, on religion and career management that traversed in a series of self fragility, of hope, humanity, injustice and one’s perception or stereotype. Mostly with flawed attitude which lured me into their realness and nothing too green or happy-ending-in-here tale, so smooth and neat storytelling that engrossingly making me eager to delve further. I love that bit of cunning and cynical views in its plot esp on the author’s way in expressing the Arabs as ridiculous or too dramatic and as per Torrey claimed; “sometimes you own is worse.”

I enjoyed the intricacies and its provoking exploration although at times I wish to see more interactions in between the characters instead of all being too standalone. Bit poignant but mostly ended in a rough reality hits sort of— love that portrait of sincerity in their musings as well how gritty or rich one’s culture could affected one’s upbringing. A compelling and authentic read nevertheless, almost a page-turner too for me.

Thank you Times Reads for the gifted review copy!