synopsis from goodreads.com

As Nahr sits, locked away in solitary confinement, she spends her days reflecting on the dramatic events that landed her in prison in a country she barely knows. Born in Kuwait in the 70s to Palestinian refugees, she dreamed of falling in love with the perfect man, raising children, and possibly opening her own beauty salon. Instead, the man she thinks she loves jilts her after a brief marriage, her family teeters on the brink of poverty, she’s forced to prostitute herself, and the US invasion of Iraq makes her a refugee, as her parents had been. After trekking through another temporary home in Jordan, she lands in Palestine, where she finally makes a home, falls in love, and her destiny unfolds under Israeli occupation. (less)

My thoughts:

First of all, I loved the structure of the book. Meeting Nahr in the cell in Israel, then going back and forth between present day and the past, including the journey of what led her to the cube or prison. Also, out of all the characters, I am glad the story was told through Nahrs point of view. 

What a story. A traumatic but powerful story about love, about how you can have one plan for you life but the world changes it with its own agenda. Following Nahr journey, I couldn’t help but think of how little I know about the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, but I have done something to learn more which I will share at the end of this review. 

Let me start by discussing the grandmother. What really stood out to me was Nahr and her mother deciding to allow grandma to hurl insults at them without putting her in her place. As I was reading, I made a note saying that “sometimes we have to sacrifice the truth in order to make people feel good.” In this instance what would have been the point in Nahr pointing out that no one really wanted her grandmother around. 

Although a historical fiction, I can imagine there are Palestenians who have lived like Nahr, being displaced and shoved around from one place to another. The feeling of not being wanted, of not belonging, and everything being taken away from you. I will never understand the complexities of the conflict but based on what I have read, life for a Palestinian must be unbearable. 

The author did a good job of sharing Nahr hardships when it came to marriage, her family, men and money as well as the joys that she experienced, for example having good friends and mostly being able to provide for her family. I think that this book opened my eyes to the fact that Palestinians life did not just stop as they were displaced. They did not stop being mothers, daughters, lovers, and friends. There were all those things amidst the Isreali occupation, amidst their towns being destroyed and set on fire. 

The love story between Nahr and Bilal was one for the books. 

“For the ones we love, nothing is ever trouble, and everything is never enough.”

I think that quote sums everything there is to know about their love. The willingness to sacrifice, the loyalty, and consistency. That is a love that conquers all.

The detail given to the cube was brilliant. I almost felt as though I was there. I mean it seems terrifying but Nahr’s antics in there made me laugh. Another thing that made me laugh was Bilal and Nahr polluting the water to make the men infertile, that was so unexpected and I laughed out loud. 

The ending of the book ruined me but also made me glad. I mean so much time had passed and it upset me for Bilal and Nahr, but what is time passed when you eventually get to meet your soulmate again.

**I tried to give an overview without spoilers, but it feels incomplete. that is just by the way**

***bookreview was written in 2020***