Against the Loveless World: A Novel

As an American born, 1st gen Palestinian woman, I could relate deeply with the narrator. I’ve never read a book written from the perspective that I also share. My dad is a Palestinian refugee so this also hit home for me and my family. I also loved the quote from the title by James Baldwin.

Some books feel less like something you’ve read and more like something you’ve lived through with your whole heart. Against the Loveless World is exactly that kind of book. The care Susan Abulhawa poured into this story is evident in every line—it is written exquisitely well, in a style that is simple yet rich with poetry. There’s a gentleness to the prose that doesn’t try to dazzle or overwhelm, and yet it lingers in you with such force. It’s not written to appeal to the philosopher in you, but to the deeply human parts of you that feel, ache, and yearn. What moved me most was the quiet poetry threaded through the narrative—poetic, yes, but never showy. It breathes rather than performs. And in that breathing, it allows you to feel everything alongside it: sorrow, love, anger, resilience, tenderness. The story doesn’t just sit in your mind; it stays with you in your body, in your heart, in the deepened emotions it awakens and stands beside. This is not just a novel—it’s a companion to your most human self. One of those rare books that, when you finish it, you know you’ll be carrying it with you long after, not because it demanded space, but because it quietly claimed it.

This is by far one of my favorite books. It tugs on every emotion and it is beautifully written. I took forever to finish reading it because I didn’t want it to end. No one should have to endure the pains that Nahr and her family have. It shows you just how wicked this world is

There aren’t words to express how much I felt while reading this book. It was painful to read, it was inspiring to read, it was nostalgic to read. All in all, an absolute must-read.

Abulhawa gently brings the reader into the intimate lives of strong Palestinian characters. I could smell, taste, and see Palestine/Kuwait/Jordan/the Cube through her incredible writing. Her interweaving of traditions and colloquialisms between characters makes the read even more intimate. I feel like these characters have now woven their way into my heart and mind.

I will be reading all of this authors works.

We can never truly know how all sides feels in this multi-decade/century conflict between Israeli-Palestinan. The creative prospective this author gives to follow a refugee's struggle to never have a home or a true sense of belonging and the storyline of the horrendous injustices and isolation in many aspects they are put through really drives your heart string. You turn the page with a deep understanding of how each decision made the main character ended up as this totally different character that is flashforward introduced in the first chapter. With a ending to make you feel like you can't wait to see the movie version, the author did a great job pulling me in. Great book club read