Etaf Rum

Etaf Rum’s latest work reminds us how easy it is to become stuck peering backward, imprisoned by unhealed trauma, pain and guilt. The author explores these complex issues via a touching albeit slow-paced story that examines family dysfunction over multiple generations. In the process, “Evil Eye” provides insights into Palestinian culture (talk about a timely issue.) The middle part of this novel was a bit of a slog for me. Some reviewers have mentioned vignettes that tend to be repetitive. My sense is that the familiar anecdotes were intentionally used to illustrate the protagonist's internal suffering. In the end, Rum delivers an impressive and thought-provoking tale that underscores valuable life lessons.… (mais)

"A woman is no man" is a phrase that Deya's grandmother keeps emphasising. Though the Palestinian family has emigrated to the U.S. for years, they remain traditional and believe that a woman's place is in the house, and she should get married early. This is not what Deya wants but there is no one to advise her till her aunt suddenly appeared. Thus began a journey of doubt, self-discovery, and in the process, she found out the truth behind her parents' death. The death of her mother was left ambiguous. Etaf Rum seems to suggest that she was beaten to death by her husband for running away from home with the kids. If that is so, she is a brave woman. She wanted her kids to have a better life than her and she took action, although she did not succeed. In that, both Deya and her mum showed that women need not submit to men, and women can be like men.… (mais)

It’s sad what goes on behind closed doors and the fears immigrants have about American culture and the Americanization of their children, especially so for girls and women. This is another story of male dominance, arranged marriages, and fear. Heartfelt story of a young women who had dreams of a romantic marriage and coming to America only to have it snuffed out. Her children eventually find a way out of this arranged marriage loop and find their own paths but it is painful. Interesting that I was reading this in October 2023.… (mais)