⭐️Tearjerker,Tyranny,Tremendous⭐️
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A Woman is no man by Etaf Rum is a book that had me crying my eyes out. This hard-hitting novel made me think about how much privilege we take for granted.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Synopsis->

In Brooklyn, eighteen-year-old Deya is starting to meet with suitors. Though she doesn’t want to get married, her grandparents give her no choice. History is repeating itself: Deya’s mother, Isra, also had no choice when she left Palestine as a teenager to marry Adam. Though Deya was raised to believe her parents died in a car accident, a secret note from a mysterious, yet familiar-looking woman makes Deya question everything she was told about her past. As the narrative alternates between the lives of Deya and Isra, she begins to understand the dark, complex secrets behind her community.

Review->

The synopsis does no justice to the heavy heart-breaking story this book holds. The book spans across 3 generations of Arab immigrant women in the US. It talks about their struggles & how they lack a sense of belonging to any country. Through the lives of Isra and her Mother in Law, the Author gives voice to how the cycle of passing shame from one woman to another, in the name of preserving culture, is a vicious circle.
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The narrative is very impactful, shuttling between timelines and Isra & Deya’s POV. The story has gems of wisdom everywhere and a simmering suspense that will crush your heart !! In spite of highlighting many many disturbing & abusive events in an Arab family, this book comes across as empowering !! Which is credit to the Author’s amazing storytelling.
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This book is a delicate piece of writing & an important read. I highly highly recommend reading this book. You will not regret it at all