Rajia Hassib

The older I get, the more novels about families speak to me. I think it's the realization that comes with age that every family is broken - every family imperfect in some way - that makes me gravitate toward novels that show those damaged families still struggling to live and love and remain together.

The Al-Menshawy family is certainly damaged, and the novel opens at the one-year anniversary of the tragic events that turned their lives upside down. As the reader peels back the layers of this family, we see the ways in which each member carries responsibility for the tragedy, and how they push each other away while simultaneously reaching out for help.

I found myself fully engaged from the very first pages. Will definitely look for more from this author.… (mer)