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Bride of the Sea
During a snowy Cleveland February, newlywed university students Muneer and Saeedah are expecting their first child, and he is harboring a secret: the word divorce is whispering in his ear. Soon, their marriage will end, and Muneer will return to Saudi Arabia, while Saeedah remains in Cleveland with their daughter, Hanadi. Consumed by a growing fear of losing her daughter, Saeedah disappears with the little girl, leaving Muneer to desperately search for his daughter for years. The repercussions of the abduction ripple outward, not only changing the lives of Hanadi and her parents, but also their interwoven family and friends—those who must choose sides and hide their own deeply guarded secrets.
And when Hanadi comes of age, she finds herself at the center of this conflict, torn between the world she grew up in and a family across the ocean. How can she exist between parents, between countries?
Eman Quotah’s Bride of the Sea is a spellbinding debut of colliding cultures, immigration, religion, and family; an intimate portrait of loss and healing; and, ultimately, a testament to the ways we find ourselves inside love, distance, and heartbreak.
And when Hanadi comes of age, she finds herself at the center of this conflict, torn between the world she grew up in and a family across the ocean. How can she exist between parents, between countries?
Eman Quotah’s Bride of the Sea is a spellbinding debut of colliding cultures, immigration, religion, and family; an intimate portrait of loss and healing; and, ultimately, a testament to the ways we find ourselves inside love, distance, and heartbreak.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2021
About the author
Eman Quotah
6 books83 followersEman Quotah's debut novel, "Bride of the Sea," won the Arab American Book Award for fiction in 2022. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, Necessary Fiction, Witness, Guernica, The Rumpus, Jellyfish Review, Kweli, Literary Hub, Electric Literature, ArabLit Quarterly, The Markaz Review and other publications. She lives with her family near Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
February 25, 2021
NO SPOILERS...
safe to read...
The blurb itself is a perfect representation of “Bride of The Sea”. It was all I needed when I first learned of this book -published by Tin House this past January.
The book cover is sure eye catching lovely too.
But...
what the blurb can’t possibly do is transfer the feelings, the richness, the experience...
That can only be done by the reader...
AND...
for me, it was a wonderful engaging thought provoking read.
Having seen the movie “Not Without My Daughter”, I had a hunch this book would be similar. There ‘are’ similarities- but it’s not the same story.
Emma Quotah begins this tale in America.
Cleveland Ohio was a perfect American setting.
Later... California is too...
But it’s the ‘breath-and-scope’....between American cultures and in Jidda, (a sea port on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia),
these two cultures which make this novel deliciously alluring ( literally, too... as there is some yummy food descriptions).
The storytelling - and most -its characters, gives this novel its bright-sensitive-family-saga-beating heartbeat.
A ‘few’ times I thought of the words-of-wisdom from Ram Dass: ... the great Buddhist and his words of wisdom.
Funny how books do that to us... remind us of other books and movies..
I spent about an hour sitting reading Ram Dass quotes...
I’m either going nuts in my older age (very possible), or this book simply created a moment of needed meditative type contemplation for me.
“It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed”.
—Ram Dass
“You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don’t have to do anything to earn it. Your shortcomings, your lack of self-esteem, physical perfection, or social and economic success— none of that matters. No one can take this love away from you, and it will always be here”.
—Ram Dass
Sooo.... after my walk along the path of thinking of the late Ram Dass...
I sat and thought about the characters & situations for each of our main characters in “Bride of the Sea”
My first thoughts were:
THIS WOULD MAKE A WONDERFUL BOOK CLUB PICK...[many discussions to draw on]...
We meet the incongruous Saudi couple, Muneer and Saeedah...and their daughter Hanadi.
And unfortunately....
it’s the child who suffers the most when caught in the middle of parents riff-raff.
However...
Through the years, Hannah teaches us the value of acceptance, strength resilience, and forgiveness.
Can you imagine being told your father is dead when he wasn’t?
Hanadi looks back....
She was no wimp about winters. She grew up with the northern Ohio lake effect, frozen eyelashes, snow boots, snow pants, and snow mittens clipped to her down coat. The time she spent in temperate and tropical places strength and her fundamental resilience.
But... fall depresses her. It conjures up death.
She had once been an art student - then ditched it for pre-law.
The last time Hanadi drew in her sketch book was when she took it with her on her first trip to Jidda.... as a young girl.
At age forty-eight....her dreams have recently been more vivid.... dreams of her childhood.
“For several weeks before the news of her grandfather’s illness arrives, she dreams of emaciated animals— dogs, cats, goats, chickens, a lion, a
hyena, a zebra. She dreams of wilting fruit trees and straw brown-lawns. At first, she attributes these visions of near-death to the onset of her eleventh New England autumn, the primary intensity at the trees bursting against the deep blue sky, the last gasp before winter”.
Hannah will take her old stretch book with her again when she flies to Jidda- to see her grandfather Fareed in the hospital... as they had grown close since her reunion with her family.
A dozen times Fareed visited Hannah in the States when he was younger and able to travel.
He’d bring her clothes, jewelry from aunts and uncles— sweaters, rhinestoned things, soft gold earrings, pretty embroidered abayah and tarhad in fashionable colors...,( no longer all black anymore).....and over the years he emailed her articles she wanted to see.
Hannah kept her close relationship with her grandfather quiet.
She wanted to avoid friction, or judgement, or perhaps pure jealousy...
Hannah avoided telling her father or mother about her closeness with her grandfather Fareed.
I could totally relate and understand the intuitiveness. If Hannah had between fully honest -upfront with her divided family members, she might have caused more pain.
I felt sad for her - ( wasn’t it her pain that needed priority?)....
yet I admired Hannah’s understanding and resilience.
She was a beautiful woman who could have remained bitter her entire life — but that’s just not who she was.
Hanadi/ Hannah was dealt a less-than-ideal cards....but she made the most of it.
Hannah never asked her grandfather if her mother spoke to him when they were hiding. She didn’t want to blame him for anything.
Hannah wasn’t a woman that held on to blame.
She ‘does’ tells her mother not to come with her to Jidda. Hannah was worried for her mother’s safety. It was possible that her brothers in Jidda wouldn’t let her leave Saudi Arabia - never let her return to America.
And God forbid they see the catholic cross- that Saeedah wore.
Beautifully written...
Brrrrr... I was chilly in those Ohio winters ....
and I loved cultural descriptions in Saudi Arabia...
the heritage... the festival highlights -crafts, poetry, religion, music, art, traditional dress and jewelry, the activities and family gatherings.
Different cultures, values, and beliefs...coming-of-age ....
“Bride of the Sea” is effervescent mixture of richness, love, loss, and healing.
Kudos to Eman Quotah. Terrific debut.
safe to read...
The blurb itself is a perfect representation of “Bride of The Sea”. It was all I needed when I first learned of this book -published by Tin House this past January.
The book cover is sure eye catching lovely too.
But...
what the blurb can’t possibly do is transfer the feelings, the richness, the experience...
That can only be done by the reader...
AND...
for me, it was a wonderful engaging thought provoking read.
Having seen the movie “Not Without My Daughter”, I had a hunch this book would be similar. There ‘are’ similarities- but it’s not the same story.
Emma Quotah begins this tale in America.
Cleveland Ohio was a perfect American setting.
Later... California is too...
But it’s the ‘breath-and-scope’....between American cultures and in Jidda, (a sea port on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia),
these two cultures which make this novel deliciously alluring ( literally, too... as there is some yummy food descriptions).
The storytelling - and most -its characters, gives this novel its bright-sensitive-family-saga-beating heartbeat.
A ‘few’ times I thought of the words-of-wisdom from Ram Dass: ... the great Buddhist and his words of wisdom.
Funny how books do that to us... remind us of other books and movies..
I spent about an hour sitting reading Ram Dass quotes...
I’m either going nuts in my older age (very possible), or this book simply created a moment of needed meditative type contemplation for me.
“It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed”.
—Ram Dass
“You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don’t have to do anything to earn it. Your shortcomings, your lack of self-esteem, physical perfection, or social and economic success— none of that matters. No one can take this love away from you, and it will always be here”.
—Ram Dass
Sooo.... after my walk along the path of thinking of the late Ram Dass...
I sat and thought about the characters & situations for each of our main characters in “Bride of the Sea”
My first thoughts were:
THIS WOULD MAKE A WONDERFUL BOOK CLUB PICK...[many discussions to draw on]...
We meet the incongruous Saudi couple, Muneer and Saeedah...and their daughter Hanadi.
And unfortunately....
it’s the child who suffers the most when caught in the middle of parents riff-raff.
However...
Through the years, Hannah teaches us the value of acceptance, strength resilience, and forgiveness.
Can you imagine being told your father is dead when he wasn’t?
Hanadi looks back....
She was no wimp about winters. She grew up with the northern Ohio lake effect, frozen eyelashes, snow boots, snow pants, and snow mittens clipped to her down coat. The time she spent in temperate and tropical places strength and her fundamental resilience.
But... fall depresses her. It conjures up death.
She had once been an art student - then ditched it for pre-law.
The last time Hanadi drew in her sketch book was when she took it with her on her first trip to Jidda.... as a young girl.
At age forty-eight....her dreams have recently been more vivid.... dreams of her childhood.
“For several weeks before the news of her grandfather’s illness arrives, she dreams of emaciated animals— dogs, cats, goats, chickens, a lion, a
hyena, a zebra. She dreams of wilting fruit trees and straw brown-lawns. At first, she attributes these visions of near-death to the onset of her eleventh New England autumn, the primary intensity at the trees bursting against the deep blue sky, the last gasp before winter”.
Hannah will take her old stretch book with her again when she flies to Jidda- to see her grandfather Fareed in the hospital... as they had grown close since her reunion with her family.
A dozen times Fareed visited Hannah in the States when he was younger and able to travel.
He’d bring her clothes, jewelry from aunts and uncles— sweaters, rhinestoned things, soft gold earrings, pretty embroidered abayah and tarhad in fashionable colors...,( no longer all black anymore).....and over the years he emailed her articles she wanted to see.
Hannah kept her close relationship with her grandfather quiet.
She wanted to avoid friction, or judgement, or perhaps pure jealousy...
Hannah avoided telling her father or mother about her closeness with her grandfather Fareed.
I could totally relate and understand the intuitiveness. If Hannah had between fully honest -upfront with her divided family members, she might have caused more pain.
I felt sad for her - ( wasn’t it her pain that needed priority?)....
yet I admired Hannah’s understanding and resilience.
She was a beautiful woman who could have remained bitter her entire life — but that’s just not who she was.
Hanadi/ Hannah was dealt a less-than-ideal cards....but she made the most of it.
Hannah never asked her grandfather if her mother spoke to him when they were hiding. She didn’t want to blame him for anything.
Hannah wasn’t a woman that held on to blame.
She ‘does’ tells her mother not to come with her to Jidda. Hannah was worried for her mother’s safety. It was possible that her brothers in Jidda wouldn’t let her leave Saudi Arabia - never let her return to America.
And God forbid they see the catholic cross- that Saeedah wore.
Beautifully written...
Brrrrr... I was chilly in those Ohio winters ....
and I loved cultural descriptions in Saudi Arabia...
the heritage... the festival highlights -crafts, poetry, religion, music, art, traditional dress and jewelry, the activities and family gatherings.
Different cultures, values, and beliefs...coming-of-age ....
“Bride of the Sea” is effervescent mixture of richness, love, loss, and healing.
Kudos to Eman Quotah. Terrific debut.
November 11, 2021
A good concept but I was expecting a groundbreaking drama, after all it’s a clash of culture inside the same culture.
What I got was a good story that was at the same time quite pointless.
Such a great potential. Windows were left wide open. Was the author afraid of expressing ideas against traditions?
Anyways, I did enjoy the writing and the storyline but the structure not so much. There were huge gaps between time and we never learn what’s going on inside of the mother’s head, as if she had nothing to say. She should have her own POV.
The book started very well but after 50% I lost interest. But I did not quit, as I was curious to reach the conclusion. I wished that I had felt some connection with the characters but unfortunately that was not possible.
I have learned nothing and the end left me feeling nothing.
What I got was a good story that was at the same time quite pointless.
Such a great potential. Windows were left wide open. Was the author afraid of expressing ideas against traditions?
Anyways, I did enjoy the writing and the storyline but the structure not so much. There were huge gaps between time and we never learn what’s going on inside of the mother’s head, as if she had nothing to say. She should have her own POV.
The book started very well but after 50% I lost interest. But I did not quit, as I was curious to reach the conclusion. I wished that I had felt some connection with the characters but unfortunately that was not possible.
I have learned nothing and the end left me feeling nothing.
February 12, 2021
Newlyweds Muneer and Saeedah came to America on student visas. The mismatched young couple from Saudi Arabia were soon expecting their first child, but Muneer already was thinking about divorcing his volatile wife. Muneer returned to Saudi Arabia while their daughter, Hanadi, stayed with his ex-wife in Ohio. Tormented by the fear that Muneer would eventually separate her from their daughter, Saeedah assumed a new name and disappeared with Hanadi. They moved frequently--constantly switching identities, changing schools, never getting close to people, and living a life of lies.
Muneer finally found his daughter when she was seventeen, and introduced her to a loving extended family in Jidda. (The city of Jidda is called the "Bride of the Red Sea.") This is a story of two cultures where Hanadi feels a sense of loss for what she missed and wonders where she belongs. She also loves the greater freedom for women, and educational opportunities in America. The book shows us a broken family over a fifty year period. Details of American and Saudi history, religion, food, and traditions are woven into the story. Author Eman Quotah grew up in both Saudi Arabia and the United States so she is able to sensitively portray Hanadi caught between cultures.
Muneer finally found his daughter when she was seventeen, and introduced her to a loving extended family in Jidda. (The city of Jidda is called the "Bride of the Red Sea.") This is a story of two cultures where Hanadi feels a sense of loss for what she missed and wonders where she belongs. She also loves the greater freedom for women, and educational opportunities in America. The book shows us a broken family over a fifty year period. Details of American and Saudi history, religion, food, and traditions are woven into the story. Author Eman Quotah grew up in both Saudi Arabia and the United States so she is able to sensitively portray Hanadi caught between cultures.
July 21, 2022
**Update after rereading
A tense tale spanning years, depicting the effects of divorce, yearning, and being torn between two identities. It’s so rare to find an accurate and engaging story about Saudi Arabia, so I will forever appreciate that. I will say that this is a gorgeous cover that immediately drew me in. The prose is fluid and light, alluding the the snowfall that surrounds our characters as they make decisions that will forever change the course of their lives. Filled with emotion and contemplation.
A tense tale spanning years, depicting the effects of divorce, yearning, and being torn between two identities. It’s so rare to find an accurate and engaging story about Saudi Arabia, so I will forever appreciate that. I will say that this is a gorgeous cover that immediately drew me in. The prose is fluid and light, alluding the the snowfall that surrounds our characters as they make decisions that will forever change the course of their lives. Filled with emotion and contemplation.
January 28, 2021
This book started off so strong but bit by bit it slipped. By the end, I found myself angry with how petty it became.
My biggest issue with this book is Saeedah’s character development. Why did we never really hear her perspective especially in the early years during her pregnancy? She was by far the most interesting conflicted person in the novel and could have added a profound voice that the book was severely lacking.
Positives - it’s a quick read and did open my perspective to different cultures and family dynamics.
My biggest issue with this book is Saeedah’s character development. Why did we never really hear her perspective especially in the early years during her pregnancy? She was by far the most interesting conflicted person in the novel and could have added a profound voice that the book was severely lacking.
Positives - it’s a quick read and did open my perspective to different cultures and family dynamics.
December 15, 2020
My interest in reading this book was largely due to the geographic locations in which it is set and I was fortunate to have won it in a Goodreads giveaway, but ultimately I just did not get into it. The best parts of the book for me were the glimpses of Saudi culture and history that came through. But the writing style and characters felt uneven with abrupt swings that made it hard for me to connect to them in any given moment. It is a multigenerational familial drama that crosses geographic boundaries, but the love that exists in the story was tainted for me by a surrounding aura of spite and an unwillingness to understand or forgive. While those are very human emotions and reactions that could have been explored in more depth to flesh out the story and explore its underlying tragedy, the abruptness with which the storyline tended to move on after a harsh judgement or insult had been made against a character caused these sentiments to feel petty to me, rather than profound, and ultimately resulted in a lack of resolution at the end.
January 27, 2021
I honestly have mixed feelings about this book but I think overall it is a book I really enjoyed. I couldn’t put it down and finished this book only in 3 sittings and while I did enjoy it, there were a few things that ruined the experience for me.
What I liked:
-The characters were unique and relatable. I related with Hanadi the most bc we both were born and raised in North America, daughters of migrants, and went through an identity crisis.
-The author’s description of Saudi Arabia and the culture was pretty spot on which I appreciated.
-I really enjoyed Quotah’s prose and it wasn’t confusing when we’d go from one POV to another.
-The plot itself was entertaining and left me questioning on what’s going to happen next. I actually couldn’t put it down because I loved the characters and plot so much!
What I didn’t like:
-Because the story takes us through 5 decades, there is a lot that is going on! We are jumping from one year to another and sometimes there are gaps in between that just leaves us with lots of questions and confusion. Most chapters end in cliffhangers and then we’re provided with a sentence or two of what happened which I found a little annoying because I just wanted to know more!! I personally get a little too attached to characters so I sometimes need to know their every move 😂
-I also felt that the end years were rushed and I was hoping we could slow down to learn more about the main characters.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and do recommend it if you’re into familial relationships, culture-clashes, or immigration. But take note that your head will be spinning! I will be thinking of Hanadi for awhile and I really enjoyed the author’s writing so I will be keeping an eye out for future books!
-
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked:
-The characters were unique and relatable. I related with Hanadi the most bc we both were born and raised in North America, daughters of migrants, and went through an identity crisis.
-The author’s description of Saudi Arabia and the culture was pretty spot on which I appreciated.
-I really enjoyed Quotah’s prose and it wasn’t confusing when we’d go from one POV to another.
-The plot itself was entertaining and left me questioning on what’s going to happen next. I actually couldn’t put it down because I loved the characters and plot so much!
What I didn’t like:
-Because the story takes us through 5 decades, there is a lot that is going on! We are jumping from one year to another and sometimes there are gaps in between that just leaves us with lots of questions and confusion. Most chapters end in cliffhangers and then we’re provided with a sentence or two of what happened which I found a little annoying because I just wanted to know more!! I personally get a little too attached to characters so I sometimes need to know their every move 😂
-I also felt that the end years were rushed and I was hoping we could slow down to learn more about the main characters.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and do recommend it if you’re into familial relationships, culture-clashes, or immigration. But take note that your head will be spinning! I will be thinking of Hanadi for awhile and I really enjoyed the author’s writing so I will be keeping an eye out for future books!
-
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
Bride of the Sea by Eman Quotah pulled me in as soon as I opened the book. I was hungry to understand the unease between Muneer and Saeedah. But it quickly became apparent that what I expected to be a fast-paced family crime drama, was actually a slow and simmering family saga. Quotah’s characters were rich with depth and surprise, and the storyline had more complexity than I imagined. This novel wove together a heart-breaking and heart-opening tale of how the fears of those we love most can become our deepest wounds, and how a hope kept alive despite circumstance can become the path to healing. It meandered through multiple perspectives across over four decades and numerous geographic locations, with intensity but not hurry. It raised questions about the nature of family, nationality, connection, dislocation, discrimination, and love. And it created a window into both the daily life and generational expanse of a Saudi family, revealing the gifts and struggles that arise in this largely misunderstood context. Four stars for a well-crafted story, excellent writing, and delicate address of complex and compelling issues!
Thank you Tin House and NetGalley for the advanced reader digital copy.
Thank you Tin House and NetGalley for the advanced reader digital copy.
September 28, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and TinHouse for this digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was an interesting read. The early chapters and writing drew me right in. I was intrigued by this Saudi Arabian family, their immigration to the US, and the taboo divorce the couple chooses.
Somewhere in the middle, the writing slowed down a lot and I had a difficult timing staying engaged. Wide expanses of years would be skipped or summed up in a paragraph. I know a lot of books do this, but something about it read little choppy at times.
The last quarter of the novel picked up again, where the focus becomes Hanadi, the daughter, and her search to fit in between cultures and parents. I ultimately enjoyed the story, even though it was a bit of a sad one of family conflict, secrets, and loss.
𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧
⋒ slower, literary fiction
⋒ #OwnVoice authors
⋒ immigrant stories/family sagas
—— ★★★
This was an interesting read. The early chapters and writing drew me right in. I was intrigued by this Saudi Arabian family, their immigration to the US, and the taboo divorce the couple chooses.
Somewhere in the middle, the writing slowed down a lot and I had a difficult timing staying engaged. Wide expanses of years would be skipped or summed up in a paragraph. I know a lot of books do this, but something about it read little choppy at times.
The last quarter of the novel picked up again, where the focus becomes Hanadi, the daughter, and her search to fit in between cultures and parents. I ultimately enjoyed the story, even though it was a bit of a sad one of family conflict, secrets, and loss.
𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧
⋒ slower, literary fiction
⋒ #OwnVoice authors
⋒ immigrant stories/family sagas
—— ★★★
October 23, 2020
A nuanced, slow and simmering tale of identity, culture-clashes, and familial relationships, BRIDE OF THE SEA is a wonderful debut from Eman Quotah. Spanning close to five decades, we follow Sadie and Hannah, a mother and daughter who are Saudi Arabian immigrants in Ohio. Early in the book, Sadie divorces Hannah's father Muneer and runs away with Hannah. Muneer spends more than a decade, after moving back to Saudi Arabia, searching for his daughter (who has since changed names multiple times, and moved with her mother constantly). It is a wonderful hook for the book, but it is about so much more than this shocking occurrence.
As we watch Hannah grow up, we watch her come to terms with this cultural identity crisis and what her mother has done by taking her away from her family and only allowing her to discover her Saudi Arabian heritage when she is adult and discovers it on her own. Quotah's prose is memorable and beautiful, I often got lost in the language and felt transported to the vivid places she describes. While the book is not action packed by any means, I really liked all of the characters and what Quotah has to say about family and parental bonds. It's a sad story about loss, secrets, betrayals, and conservative cultures. I really loved it.
Thank you to Tin House for allowing me to read and review an early copy. BRIDE OF THE SEA comes out on January 26, 2021!
As we watch Hannah grow up, we watch her come to terms with this cultural identity crisis and what her mother has done by taking her away from her family and only allowing her to discover her Saudi Arabian heritage when she is adult and discovers it on her own. Quotah's prose is memorable and beautiful, I often got lost in the language and felt transported to the vivid places she describes. While the book is not action packed by any means, I really liked all of the characters and what Quotah has to say about family and parental bonds. It's a sad story about loss, secrets, betrayals, and conservative cultures. I really loved it.
Thank you to Tin House for allowing me to read and review an early copy. BRIDE OF THE SEA comes out on January 26, 2021!
April 25, 2021
3 Stars - Good book
I enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful. The reason this one is only 3 stars for me is because of the characters. None of the characters are fully good or fully bad; they're flawed like real people. However, I felt myself putting heavy judgment onto almost all of the characters or the primary characters. I was very judgmental of Hannah and Muneer and often found myself "siding with" or at least giving more grace to Saeedah. No spoilers, but to those of you who have read or will read the story that might not make sense and honestly I don't fully understand it. I think I'm going through a phase where compassion fatigue has kind of taken over (totally valid by the way) and that's definitely affected how I see these characters.
One last think I'll say is that I'm disappointed that Saeedah's mental health is never addressed - not even indirectly. Or if it's not mental health, I wanted some sort of explanation for all of the things and we never get that.
I enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful. The reason this one is only 3 stars for me is because of the characters. None of the characters are fully good or fully bad; they're flawed like real people. However, I felt myself putting heavy judgment onto almost all of the characters or the primary characters. I was very judgmental of Hannah and Muneer and often found myself "siding with" or at least giving more grace to Saeedah. No spoilers, but to those of you who have read or will read the story that might not make sense and honestly I don't fully understand it. I think I'm going through a phase where compassion fatigue has kind of taken over (totally valid by the way) and that's definitely affected how I see these characters.
One last think I'll say is that I'm disappointed that Saeedah's mental health is never addressed - not even indirectly. Or if it's not mental health, I wanted some sort of explanation for all of the things and we never get that.
March 14, 2021
Absolutely not. It feels like she wrote the script in arabic then translated paragraphs using google translation, with no editing no nothing
This book is so problematic and for what? I don’t understand what the writer tried to achieve by the story or the point of it really. Religious differences? Culture in Saudi Arabia?
I’m sorry but saying a couple of phrases about Jinn and women’s inability to drive due to laws caused by an incident 50 years ago just to drop a line at the end that wow women are finally liberated because they get to drive a car... seriously......
This had such potential, well potential that was brutally murdered by the writing style and I’m guessing translation but this really had potential. I really wanted to like this book.
In retrospect, i get really uncomfortable reading about our culture written in such a way that glorifies it or rather normalizes it, or the way culture uses religion as a weapon towards horrifying actions.
this is why I expected more than dropping a line about women driving.
This book is so problematic and for what? I don’t understand what the writer tried to achieve by the story or the point of it really. Religious differences? Culture in Saudi Arabia?
I’m sorry but saying a couple of phrases about Jinn and women’s inability to drive due to laws caused by an incident 50 years ago just to drop a line at the end that wow women are finally liberated because they get to drive a car... seriously......
This had such potential, well potential that was brutally murdered by the writing style and I’m guessing translation but this really had potential. I really wanted to like this book.
In retrospect, i get really uncomfortable reading about our culture written in such a way that glorifies it or rather normalizes it, or the way culture uses religion as a weapon towards horrifying actions.
this is why I expected more than dropping a line about women driving.
March 3, 2021
I enjoyed reading about Saudi culture and the family drama was interesting, but the book has inconsistent pacing, and the second half feels rushed. I felt like nothing was resolved in the end.
May 9, 2021
the writing 🤌 the storytelling 🤌 the THEME 🤌 jeez this was soo good! i went into this read without many expectations but this turned out to be one of my top reads of the year. the reading guide at the back is just *chef's kiss* and the really strong sense of voice in Quotah's writing is enough to rope you into this world she crafts. the description of things in this book !! and a Cleveland kid,,, this book just hit the sweet spot for me
May 8, 2021
This place — this bride of the Red Sea, as her father calls the city — is the origin of her mother’s phonemes. The blue sky like a vat of dye, the air like steam in a bathroom, the promise of sea to the west and carpets of sand to the east, somewhere over there past the city limits. These things gave birth to her mother’s p’s that are not quite p’s, her v’s that bear passing resemblance to f’s, her insistence on opening lights rather than turning them on. — Eman Quotah, Bride of the Sea
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Eman Quotah’s literary debut novel “Bride of the Sea” broke my heart and took my breath away! One of my most anticipated books of Winter 2021, this stunning, moving, and timely literary family saga chronicles life of one Arab-American family, spanning decades, continents, and multiple POVs. This was my first book (fiction) that takes place (partly) in Saudi Arabia. It was great to read about the country that remains elusive to most people, beyond the headlines in the news. I’m blown away this is a debut novel by such a talented writer. I wanted it to go on and was so sad when it was over. This book will stay with me for a long time.
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“I love the sea,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if I could live without it.’”
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Despite their families’ disapprovals, childhood friends & second cousins, Muneer & Saeedah gets married, then leaves Saudi Arabia to America for college shortly after. The novel begins in the early 1970’s at the end of their marriage, living in Cleveland for college and expecting their first child. After six years of unhappy marriage, they divorce; Muneer returns to Saudi Arabia, and Saeedah remains in Cleveland with their daughter, Hanadi. Muneer makes yearly trip to visit his daughter for several years, until Saeedah makes fateful decision to disappear across the United States with their daughter, consumed by growing fear of losing her to Muneer.
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The story moves back & forth from present & past, spanning decades, and shift between Muneer’s, Hanadi’s, and Saeedah’s perspectives. Muneer remarries and have three sons in Saudi Arabia, but continues search for his daughter for years, and Saeedah moves from city to city, state to state with Hanadi, continually changing identities and leading secretive lives. It isn’t until a decade later, Muneer’s unrelenting efforts pay off, he reunites with Hanadi as she comes of age. She embarks on a journey to reconnect with her extended family and her lost heritage in Saudi Arabia and at the same time, becomes estranged to her mother, which cause rifts throughout Hanadi’s adult life as she attempts to reconcile with her painful past — what she’s lost and inability to forgive her mother for taking her away from her dad and families.
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Quotah writes eloquently, delicately, and intricately of the inner workings of a family, of a Muslim family, of an immigrant family — the traditions parents & families try to hold & pass and the children torn between two cultures and trying to balance their current lives with parents’ upbringings rooted in faith & tradition. Quotah, born in Jidda to an American mother & Saudi father, portrays Saudi culture in engrossing detail with fascinating inside look of Saudi Arabian life. And you can just tell the love she has for the country, despite the push & pull of traditions. I really appreciate novels like this which allows me an intimate glimpse into a lesser-known culture, but also an opportunity to learn from it. Quotah gracefully incorporate details of a Muslim life — from prayer to wearing hijab, gender etiquettes, food, holidays, and values. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, learning about the traditions & culture; so informative & insightful, and yet, universal in theme. This book made me realize once again, just how important it is to have diverse voices in literature, to be able to appreciate rich tapestry of America. I won’t say I understand everything they do, especially arranged marriages, but I can still appreciate & respect different culture. To be honest, if this was just another family saga without the cultural aspect, I would have lost interest early on.
.
Elegantly captured, richly detailed, intimately attentive, and immersive saga of an Arab-American family, story of love, family, faith, identity, belonging, and what it means to be a multi-cultural family in America today. If you enjoy reading family sagas set in different countries and learning about different cultures with narrative that spans decades & multiple POVs with strong writing, plot, and character development, this one is for you. Highly recommend it! 🤓✌️📖
.
.
Eman Quotah’s literary debut novel “Bride of the Sea” broke my heart and took my breath away! One of my most anticipated books of Winter 2021, this stunning, moving, and timely literary family saga chronicles life of one Arab-American family, spanning decades, continents, and multiple POVs. This was my first book (fiction) that takes place (partly) in Saudi Arabia. It was great to read about the country that remains elusive to most people, beyond the headlines in the news. I’m blown away this is a debut novel by such a talented writer. I wanted it to go on and was so sad when it was over. This book will stay with me for a long time.
.
“I love the sea,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if I could live without it.’”
.
Despite their families’ disapprovals, childhood friends & second cousins, Muneer & Saeedah gets married, then leaves Saudi Arabia to America for college shortly after. The novel begins in the early 1970’s at the end of their marriage, living in Cleveland for college and expecting their first child. After six years of unhappy marriage, they divorce; Muneer returns to Saudi Arabia, and Saeedah remains in Cleveland with their daughter, Hanadi. Muneer makes yearly trip to visit his daughter for several years, until Saeedah makes fateful decision to disappear across the United States with their daughter, consumed by growing fear of losing her to Muneer.
.
The story moves back & forth from present & past, spanning decades, and shift between Muneer’s, Hanadi’s, and Saeedah’s perspectives. Muneer remarries and have three sons in Saudi Arabia, but continues search for his daughter for years, and Saeedah moves from city to city, state to state with Hanadi, continually changing identities and leading secretive lives. It isn’t until a decade later, Muneer’s unrelenting efforts pay off, he reunites with Hanadi as she comes of age. She embarks on a journey to reconnect with her extended family and her lost heritage in Saudi Arabia and at the same time, becomes estranged to her mother, which cause rifts throughout Hanadi’s adult life as she attempts to reconcile with her painful past — what she’s lost and inability to forgive her mother for taking her away from her dad and families.
.
Quotah writes eloquently, delicately, and intricately of the inner workings of a family, of a Muslim family, of an immigrant family — the traditions parents & families try to hold & pass and the children torn between two cultures and trying to balance their current lives with parents’ upbringings rooted in faith & tradition. Quotah, born in Jidda to an American mother & Saudi father, portrays Saudi culture in engrossing detail with fascinating inside look of Saudi Arabian life. And you can just tell the love she has for the country, despite the push & pull of traditions. I really appreciate novels like this which allows me an intimate glimpse into a lesser-known culture, but also an opportunity to learn from it. Quotah gracefully incorporate details of a Muslim life — from prayer to wearing hijab, gender etiquettes, food, holidays, and values. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, learning about the traditions & culture; so informative & insightful, and yet, universal in theme. This book made me realize once again, just how important it is to have diverse voices in literature, to be able to appreciate rich tapestry of America. I won’t say I understand everything they do, especially arranged marriages, but I can still appreciate & respect different culture. To be honest, if this was just another family saga without the cultural aspect, I would have lost interest early on.
.
Elegantly captured, richly detailed, intimately attentive, and immersive saga of an Arab-American family, story of love, family, faith, identity, belonging, and what it means to be a multi-cultural family in America today. If you enjoy reading family sagas set in different countries and learning about different cultures with narrative that spans decades & multiple POVs with strong writing, plot, and character development, this one is for you. Highly recommend it! 🤓✌️📖
October 8, 2021
A very interesting read, with a cross-generational plot-line that I found extremely intriguing. The topics treated were very important but it was not an in-depth discussion, the novel barely touched the surface of a lot of topics. The title only made sense when I remembered that Jidda is called عروس البحر الأحمر but I felt that the title does not really correspond to the novel, because Jidda was the anchor of the characters, where they came/ran from and where they go back to, but it was not the highlight.
It was a good story, but still very timid. Saeedah's, let's call it "state-of-mind" was only alluded to but not explored and analyzed. I did not agree with what she did but I still wanted to hear from her and judge for myself, but the author had already made up her mind about who the villain would be in the story.
It was captivating but lost momentum after the reunion, and there were numerous gaps in the timeline, in addition to some unnecessary events toward the ending that did not add anything of value to the initial story.
It was a good story, but still very timid. Saeedah's, let's call it "state-of-mind" was only alluded to but not explored and analyzed. I did not agree with what she did but I still wanted to hear from her and judge for myself, but the author had already made up her mind about who the villain would be in the story.
It was captivating but lost momentum after the reunion, and there were numerous gaps in the timeline, in addition to some unnecessary events toward the ending that did not add anything of value to the initial story.
February 15, 2021
You know when you’re reading and you forget where you are or what day it is because the story is so engrossing? I felt that for the entirety of this book. From the characters who felt so real to the effortless jumping backward and forward in time, this book is so beautifully written and I just loved every page of it. Congrats, Eman, on this amazing debut novel!
April 18, 2021
Beautiful! Beautiful book!
Well written and even though the pace in the first half isn’t fast, the pace was still oddly satisfying.
I wish we got more answers and insights into why Saeedah made the decisions she made with Muneer, Hanadi and generally with her life. But, I’ll still take it sha.
Not without a couple of flaws but still a solid debut.
March 23, 2021
I loved this book!!!! One of my favourites this year. I especially liked how the author jumped through time so that the reader could see the relationships develop over the characters' lifetimes. My only wish is that it was longer.
May 28, 2021
A little disappointing because there was a lot of potential here. We never really learn why the mother absconds with the daughter. There isn’t very much plot. The story jumps back and forth maybe too much. But I was interested in the details of Saudi Arabian life and culture.
February 5, 2021
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Bride of the Sea is a beautiful debut about belonging, culture, and family; a vivid story following three unforgettable characters over the course of many years.
For you if: You like stories that span decades.
FULL REVIEW:
Bride of the Sea is a truly beautiful debut. Eamon Quotah has crafted a rich, sweeping, emotional story about three sharply defined and unforgettable characters. I enjoyed this book very much — thank you to Tin House for the review copy.
The three main characters are Muneer and Saeedah/Sadie, who are briefly married, and Hanadi/Hannah, their daughter. A few years after Muneer and Saeedah divorce and he moves back to Jidda, Saudi Arabia, Saeedah disappears with Hanadi. Over the course of decades and across oceans, the book alternates through the three characters’ perspectives as Muneer never gives up on finding his daughter, Hannah seeks belonging and family, and Sadie reckons with the world she’s created for herself.
I’m a sucker for beautiful prose and characters who carry the reader through both heartbreak and joy. I loved all three of them in their own way — Muneer with his big heart, Sadie with her individualism and drive, and Hannah with her fierce determination to be her own person.
This also may be the first book I’ve read that takes place (partly) in Saudi Arabia. You can feel Quotah’s love for the country and for Jidda, even as characters push back against or resist some of the particularly conservative or patriarchal aspects of its culture.
All in all, a really lovely debut. If you like books that span decades and deal with themes of family, culture, and identity, pick this one up.
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Kidnapping; Islamophobia; Pregnancy
TL;DR REVIEW:
Bride of the Sea is a beautiful debut about belonging, culture, and family; a vivid story following three unforgettable characters over the course of many years.
For you if: You like stories that span decades.
FULL REVIEW:
“At night, lying on a thin mattress next to his brother with the book-hard pillows he wasn’t used to anymore, Muneer wanted to put his hand into his chest and pull his whole heart out. He tried. He placed his fingers against his sternum and pressed harder and harder until it hurt and his fingers seized up and he had to go outside to stretch them out and moan with pain and grief because he might wake up his brother if he stayed inside.”
Bride of the Sea is a truly beautiful debut. Eamon Quotah has crafted a rich, sweeping, emotional story about three sharply defined and unforgettable characters. I enjoyed this book very much — thank you to Tin House for the review copy.
The three main characters are Muneer and Saeedah/Sadie, who are briefly married, and Hanadi/Hannah, their daughter. A few years after Muneer and Saeedah divorce and he moves back to Jidda, Saudi Arabia, Saeedah disappears with Hanadi. Over the course of decades and across oceans, the book alternates through the three characters’ perspectives as Muneer never gives up on finding his daughter, Hannah seeks belonging and family, and Sadie reckons with the world she’s created for herself.
I’m a sucker for beautiful prose and characters who carry the reader through both heartbreak and joy. I loved all three of them in their own way — Muneer with his big heart, Sadie with her individualism and drive, and Hannah with her fierce determination to be her own person.
This also may be the first book I’ve read that takes place (partly) in Saudi Arabia. You can feel Quotah’s love for the country and for Jidda, even as characters push back against or resist some of the particularly conservative or patriarchal aspects of its culture.
All in all, a really lovely debut. If you like books that span decades and deal with themes of family, culture, and identity, pick this one up.
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Kidnapping; Islamophobia; Pregnancy
December 31, 2020
ARC received courtesy of Goodreads First Reads Giveaways
The plotline for this book was a good one. Two Saudis met at college, fell in love, got married and had a child. When the child is very young, the mother takes off with her to prevent her husband from taking her back to Saudi Arabia. The custom in that country is for the child to be with the father from age 7 on. Sadie changed her name and Hannah's to make it harder for Muneer to find them. The book is the story of Muneer's search and Hannah's story of growing to hate her mother for taking her from her father.
I felt as if the book skipped key parts of the story and told parts that weren't necessary. For example, it mentions Sadie dying yet never tells how or when. The story goes uses many Arabic words to name articles of clothing and other things. I found this difficult because I didn't know what they were referring to.
I liked the main parts of the story that had to do with Muneer looking for and finding Hannah. Hannah ended up hating her mother and I could understand that. I also enjoyed the parts of the story that explored the Saudi culture that Hannah missed growing up.
The plotline for this book was a good one. Two Saudis met at college, fell in love, got married and had a child. When the child is very young, the mother takes off with her to prevent her husband from taking her back to Saudi Arabia. The custom in that country is for the child to be with the father from age 7 on. Sadie changed her name and Hannah's to make it harder for Muneer to find them. The book is the story of Muneer's search and Hannah's story of growing to hate her mother for taking her from her father.
I felt as if the book skipped key parts of the story and told parts that weren't necessary. For example, it mentions Sadie dying yet never tells how or when. The story goes uses many Arabic words to name articles of clothing and other things. I found this difficult because I didn't know what they were referring to.
I liked the main parts of the story that had to do with Muneer looking for and finding Hannah. Hannah ended up hating her mother and I could understand that. I also enjoyed the parts of the story that explored the Saudi culture that Hannah missed growing up.
January 9, 2021
A delightfully written fast-paced book about what it means to belong, to know loss, and to heal.
Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Muneer divorces his wife and returns to Saudi Arabia, leaving his former family behind in Cleveland. Afraid of losing her daughter to her husband as soon as she turns seven, Saeedah takes Hanadi and goes into hiding, keeping her away even as Muneer searches for her. Hanadi’s whole growing up is spent in hiding never staying anywhere to long. But when Hanadi comes of age, she finds herself straddling two very different lives, in Eman Quotah's Bride of the Sea.
I really enjoyed Hanadi’s story and her search for belonging. I was hoping for more of Saeedah, her reasons and her feelings fell a little short in my view. I would have loved for her and her daughter to also have more of a resolution in terms of Hanadi not just seeing what happened but also developing a view on her mother’s reasons.
The author did a wonderful job of setting the reader in Saudi Arabia and in the culture of the Saudi expat community.
The book delivers an intimate look at the bonds of love between parents and children, and heartbreak.
Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Muneer divorces his wife and returns to Saudi Arabia, leaving his former family behind in Cleveland. Afraid of losing her daughter to her husband as soon as she turns seven, Saeedah takes Hanadi and goes into hiding, keeping her away even as Muneer searches for her. Hanadi’s whole growing up is spent in hiding never staying anywhere to long. But when Hanadi comes of age, she finds herself straddling two very different lives, in Eman Quotah's Bride of the Sea.
I really enjoyed Hanadi’s story and her search for belonging. I was hoping for more of Saeedah, her reasons and her feelings fell a little short in my view. I would have loved for her and her daughter to also have more of a resolution in terms of Hanadi not just seeing what happened but also developing a view on her mother’s reasons.
The author did a wonderful job of setting the reader in Saudi Arabia and in the culture of the Saudi expat community.
The book delivers an intimate look at the bonds of love between parents and children, and heartbreak.
April 20, 2021
The fact that I read this book in 3 days and couldn’t put it down, shows I was hooked since page 1. Loved the storytelling and culture. Love the different point of views from the characters and was pleased with the ending.
April 30, 2021
not able to understand what author want to say
September 7, 2021
A story spanning the years from 1970 to 2018, and two settings; Saudi Arabia and the US, with shifts in narrative between three key characters. It’s a story that involves familial relationships, cultural identity, and religion.
Liked:
* The parallels drawn between cultures and characters’ actions.
* Different types of Saudis were represented.
* Beautiful descriptions and imagery.
Needed more:
Condensing 48 years into around 300 pages is a feat, but I wouldn’t have minded the book being lengthier if it meant gaining a more in-depth perspective from one of the three main characters whose reasoning wasn’t drawn out as much as the other two.
Liked:
* The parallels drawn between cultures and characters’ actions.
* Different types of Saudis were represented.
* Beautiful descriptions and imagery.
Needed more:
Condensing 48 years into around 300 pages is a feat, but I wouldn’t have minded the book being lengthier if it meant gaining a more in-depth perspective from one of the three main characters whose reasoning wasn’t drawn out as much as the other two.
February 14, 2021
This book cover is simply stunning. If it wasn’t for the mesmerizing title and the cover, I probably wouldn’t even have given this book a second glance!
Likes:
Other than this beautiful cover and capturing title, I absolutely adored the setting for this book. I loved that this book was written by an author who was actually from this part of the world, so you can already guess that she knows exactly what she was talking about. I loved this aspect of the book a lot, and I always feel like ‘Own Voices’ authors always tell a much richer, deeper story as they have that first hand experience of what it is like. I appreciated that a lot.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the immigration story. I love hearing about different cultures, and no matter what culture people are from, the immigration story is one that if you are an immigrant, you can relate to. I also loved the close family ties in this book. Especially the scenes in Jidda. Very relatable and they definitely made the book feel rich, warm and familiar.
Dislikes:
This book spans many decades and it would seriously jump major years which made the story itself lack a sense of continuity and flow. It was extremely choppy and a bit disjointed. I felt completely lost at times with the plot of the book and didn't feel any sort of attachment to the writing style at all. It definitely wasn’t the best writing that I’ve seen in a book. The writing lacked substance and didn’t blend well.
The second point that I will make that is crucial, is the development of characters, or lack of. This was a major shame for me because I really wanted to learn much more about the mother in this story, even the daughter, but every single character in this book sort of appeared in bits and pieces throughout the story so you never really got to know any of the characters in depth at all in this book.
Overall:
I will say that The Bride of the Sea does deal with a lot of interesting issues though, such as immigration, colliding cultures, family ties, religion, self discovery, secrets, loss and healing, and ultimately it is a story about finding your own voice and understanding your family ties. If you like stories about family sagas, different cultures, Immigration, Own Voice authors then add this to your list. I wanted to love it so bad, but what can I say, we can’t love all of the books we read. I still very much appreciate reading this book and learned a lot about Saudi Arabia. It was lovely to get transported to another culture.
I would love to thank Tin House books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For my full written & YouTube reviews, click the links below.
Full Written Review on Chrissy's Books
YouTube Review
Instgram
Twitter
Likes:
Other than this beautiful cover and capturing title, I absolutely adored the setting for this book. I loved that this book was written by an author who was actually from this part of the world, so you can already guess that she knows exactly what she was talking about. I loved this aspect of the book a lot, and I always feel like ‘Own Voices’ authors always tell a much richer, deeper story as they have that first hand experience of what it is like. I appreciated that a lot.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the immigration story. I love hearing about different cultures, and no matter what culture people are from, the immigration story is one that if you are an immigrant, you can relate to. I also loved the close family ties in this book. Especially the scenes in Jidda. Very relatable and they definitely made the book feel rich, warm and familiar.
Dislikes:
This book spans many decades and it would seriously jump major years which made the story itself lack a sense of continuity and flow. It was extremely choppy and a bit disjointed. I felt completely lost at times with the plot of the book and didn't feel any sort of attachment to the writing style at all. It definitely wasn’t the best writing that I’ve seen in a book. The writing lacked substance and didn’t blend well.
The second point that I will make that is crucial, is the development of characters, or lack of. This was a major shame for me because I really wanted to learn much more about the mother in this story, even the daughter, but every single character in this book sort of appeared in bits and pieces throughout the story so you never really got to know any of the characters in depth at all in this book.
Overall:
I will say that The Bride of the Sea does deal with a lot of interesting issues though, such as immigration, colliding cultures, family ties, religion, self discovery, secrets, loss and healing, and ultimately it is a story about finding your own voice and understanding your family ties. If you like stories about family sagas, different cultures, Immigration, Own Voice authors then add this to your list. I wanted to love it so bad, but what can I say, we can’t love all of the books we read. I still very much appreciate reading this book and learned a lot about Saudi Arabia. It was lovely to get transported to another culture.
I would love to thank Tin House books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For my full written & YouTube reviews, click the links below.
Full Written Review on Chrissy's Books
YouTube Review
Instgram
March 3, 2021
Bride of the Sea is Eman Quotah's debut novel, and it was such an interesting read for me. The tale of Muneer and Saeedah takes place in Jiddah, a beautiful Saudi port city. Having grown up as neighbours, Muneer and Saeedah are friends to the extent permitted in Saudi Arabia. One night they escape a family wedding for an adventure, on a whim. That whim, lands them in serious trouble. Muneer was about to leave Saudi Arabia for Ohio for college, as a bachelor. Instead, he is forced to marry Saeedah, and he heads to Ohio married, and as it turns out, Saeedah is pregnant, and, their parents give them almost no financial support. Saeedah gives birth to a baby girl, whom they name Hanida. When Hanida is around two years old, Muneer and Saeeda's marriage finally ends. Muneer must return to Jiddah, because his father dies and the family at home needs him. He leaves Ohio and Saeedah and Hanadi, believing,(according to Saudi tradition), that Hanadi will come to live with him in Jiddah, when she is 4. But instead, Saeedah and Hanadi disappear and take on new identities. Muneer, with the financial help of his ex father in law, searches for Hanadi for years, always hoping he will be reunited with his beloved daughter.
The book then focuses on Hanadi, when she is 18 yo. Her mother lied to her all through her childhood, telling her her father left them and that he was dead. When Hanadi, who becomes Hannah, discovers Muneer is not dead, she decides to reconnect with her family in Jiddah because no matter how hard she tried to fit the American mould, it always eluded her. Once in Jiddah, (and Riyadh), she finds the family very loving and accepting of her. But again, its a battle to fit in- she looks the part but can not speak the language and knows little of the traditions.
This story continues and in total, it covers a time period of 40 years. Hannah, her mother and father, her grandparents and extended family (and Hannah's own eventual family), forever live with the damage caused by Saeedah (Sally), something Hannah could never forgive her for.
Bride of the Sea is an #ownvoices coming of age story. It is Eman Quotah's ode to Jiddah and the people of Jiddah. It is a at times, heart breaking story about a Saudi family, facing issues of identity and belonging. I really enjoyed reading it, and highly recommend it. Thank you #netgalley and Tin House publishers for my digital copy of the book in return for an honest review. #5stars.
The book then focuses on Hanadi, when she is 18 yo. Her mother lied to her all through her childhood, telling her her father left them and that he was dead. When Hanadi, who becomes Hannah, discovers Muneer is not dead, she decides to reconnect with her family in Jiddah because no matter how hard she tried to fit the American mould, it always eluded her. Once in Jiddah, (and Riyadh), she finds the family very loving and accepting of her. But again, its a battle to fit in- she looks the part but can not speak the language and knows little of the traditions.
This story continues and in total, it covers a time period of 40 years. Hannah, her mother and father, her grandparents and extended family (and Hannah's own eventual family), forever live with the damage caused by Saeedah (Sally), something Hannah could never forgive her for.
Bride of the Sea is an #ownvoices coming of age story. It is Eman Quotah's ode to Jiddah and the people of Jiddah. It is a at times, heart breaking story about a Saudi family, facing issues of identity and belonging. I really enjoyed reading it, and highly recommend it. Thank you #netgalley and Tin House publishers for my digital copy of the book in return for an honest review. #5stars.
March 15, 2021
3.5 star but good reads is still limited in 2021
This was a group read for a group of ladies who are married to Saudi men. I was interested in this book for a few reasons. First I wanted to hear a father's story when his child is abducted by a parent internationally. We all too often hear the stories or women who have their children taken from them. Especially as a western woman married to a saudi Muslim male. I won't even count how many times "not without my daughter" is mentioned to me as some representation of my life.
Visiting friends a couple of summers ago in Saudi I met a 17 yr old boy who was just introduced to his father. His mother had his father deported from America and she kept her son. The mother refused any and all contact by the father. And as he told me parts of his story my heart ached. There he sat in the process of getting his saudi passport because "My mom wants me to get a scholarship for college. She doesn't want to pay for my school." He told me.
He had two younger singlings he was just getting to know. A father who was a stranger to him but extended such patience and forgiveness as his oldest son made so many cultural errors along the way. He was diagnosed with Aspergers so that made the social conforming so much more difficult for him.
He sat and told me all the nasty things his mom said about Saudi people. She spent his entire life poisoning his mind against what is essentially part of him. And I sat and listened and how absolutely damaging for everyone. It just hit me that parents can be so selfish.
So as I read this story I wanted to know the pain, desperation, the longing of the father who is denied his child. Especially a daughter. Contrary to much of western media the father/daughter relationship in Saudi culture is a beautiful one. Babas will do anything for their girls. And that is certainly the case in this story.
The 3.5 is because I wanted so much more to be said. And I think because this book covers a life time it may be the reason it's lacking in depth that I wanted.
But is this a good start to a huge conversation? Absolutely. And I'm so very happy to read it from a Saudi Woman's voice! 🇸🇦
This was a group read for a group of ladies who are married to Saudi men. I was interested in this book for a few reasons. First I wanted to hear a father's story when his child is abducted by a parent internationally. We all too often hear the stories or women who have their children taken from them. Especially as a western woman married to a saudi Muslim male. I won't even count how many times "not without my daughter" is mentioned to me as some representation of my life.
Visiting friends a couple of summers ago in Saudi I met a 17 yr old boy who was just introduced to his father. His mother had his father deported from America and she kept her son. The mother refused any and all contact by the father. And as he told me parts of his story my heart ached. There he sat in the process of getting his saudi passport because "My mom wants me to get a scholarship for college. She doesn't want to pay for my school." He told me.
He had two younger singlings he was just getting to know. A father who was a stranger to him but extended such patience and forgiveness as his oldest son made so many cultural errors along the way. He was diagnosed with Aspergers so that made the social conforming so much more difficult for him.
He sat and told me all the nasty things his mom said about Saudi people. She spent his entire life poisoning his mind against what is essentially part of him. And I sat and listened and how absolutely damaging for everyone. It just hit me that parents can be so selfish.
So as I read this story I wanted to know the pain, desperation, the longing of the father who is denied his child. Especially a daughter. Contrary to much of western media the father/daughter relationship in Saudi culture is a beautiful one. Babas will do anything for their girls. And that is certainly the case in this story.
The 3.5 is because I wanted so much more to be said. And I think because this book covers a life time it may be the reason it's lacking in depth that I wanted.
But is this a good start to a huge conversation? Absolutely. And I'm so very happy to read it from a Saudi Woman's voice! 🇸🇦
June 24, 2021
BRIDE OF THE SEA by debut author Eman Quotah is a family saga about a Saudi family that gets torn apart. Saeedah, a young mother, suddenly disappears from her Cleveland home, taking her young daughter Hanadi with her. Her husband Muneer is left behind, to search for his lost wife and daughter for years following. The story covers multiple persepctives and spans decades, from Saeedah and Muneer's courtship and marriage in Saudi Arabia, to their marriage and immigration to Ohio, and finally Hanadi's search to connect with her lost identity and family when she comes of age.
Quotah juxtaposes Saeedah and Muneer's dynamic family life in Saudi Arabia, the familial expectations that lead Saeedah to run, and the isolation that she imposes on herself and Hanadi in order to remain hidden from their family.
My favorite perspective was Hanadi, who is raised knowing little of her heritage. It felt bittersweet to watch her reconnect with her lost family and culture in her 20s. Although she is welcomed with open arms, there is a sense of uncertainty that looms over her, and the knowledge of what her life could have been like if things had been different. It's not a perfect happy family reunion. It's a reminder that families aren't perfect, and the simplistic idea of "family is everything" is messier than it seems.
Thank you to NetGalley and TinHouse for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. BRIDE OF THE SEA is out January 26, 2021!
Quotah juxtaposes Saeedah and Muneer's dynamic family life in Saudi Arabia, the familial expectations that lead Saeedah to run, and the isolation that she imposes on herself and Hanadi in order to remain hidden from their family.
My favorite perspective was Hanadi, who is raised knowing little of her heritage. It felt bittersweet to watch her reconnect with her lost family and culture in her 20s. Although she is welcomed with open arms, there is a sense of uncertainty that looms over her, and the knowledge of what her life could have been like if things had been different. It's not a perfect happy family reunion. It's a reminder that families aren't perfect, and the simplistic idea of "family is everything" is messier than it seems.
Thank you to NetGalley and TinHouse for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. BRIDE OF THE SEA is out January 26, 2021!
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