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This is the story of a Palestinian woman Nahr (meaning River) who lives in Kuwait until shortly after the US forces enter the country following the Iraqi occupation. She then relocates to Amman in Jordan and Palestine. She tells her story from The Cube, an Israeli prison. This is a story of conflict and resistance, of dangerous love and survival by any means possible. This is not an easy read and right now in the midst Covid pandemic may not be the best timing for such a book.

There are parts of the novel that flow well and other sections that drag. You get a clear picture of the conflict in this area albeit from one perspective. There are a multitude of characters to get your head around, some are peripheral and some who are portrayed in greater depth. I find Nahr an enigmatic puzzle as she seems to be so many different things, almost like several people rolled into one. Some of the relationships are very complex which is partly intriguing but by the same token can add to the confusion. There are some fantastic descriptions of places which I really enjoy and Nahr’s love of Kuwait pre 1990 really shines through. I like the food references principally because I love Middle Eastern food but also because it demonstrates the importance of celebratory feasting in that part of the world where there is a strong sense of family, extended family and community.

Overall, it’s an interesting book but with some reservations.

3.5 rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC.