👶👶👶👶: An Unlasting Home, by Mai Al-Nakib

What an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking novel. In Mai Al-Nakib's first full-length novel, she hits a home run with an insightful story that underscores the difficulty many women have in countries that don't recognize female autonomy. I fell in love with these resilient women as they trekked through a life that was often dictated by societal and familial pressures and expectations. These were tenacious women who understood the need for compromise as they dealt with adversity in their ever-changing circumstances.

I was moved deeply by the theme of an unsettled life, one wrought with uncertainty, and often a sense of displacement. The multi-generational storyline was compelling and really provided a mighty web through which the women were connected.

It takes some time to recognize the significance of this novel. Initially, it seems somewhat disjointed, but with the help of the family tree in the beginning of the novel, Al-Nakib weaves together a beautiful saga, well worth the initial effort.

Many thanks to partner, @bibliolifestyle @marinerbooks for including me on this tour. It was an absolute privilege to read this poignant work.

Read 4/23/22