(#gifted @harvillsecker) I had high expectations for this novel, promising to be an insight into modern day Syria, reflecting on one's self-identity in an oppressive regime, but unfortunately those expectations weren't met. As a result, I don't really have much to say on this short novel.

My main issue came from the uneven narrative. Half is told from the perspective of Suleima, who comes the closest to giving us the insight into life as a young woman in modern day Syria. She suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, and is perplexed when she begins reading a manuscript from her quasi-boyfriend Naseem, which seems to be based on her own life. Her confusion is further heightened when she realises the woman in the book isn't actually her, but someone who has unnerving parallels with her own life.

The manuscript was the problem. It genuinely felt like it had been written by a child. Naseem is supposed to be a doctor with four published novels under a psuedonym. He needs to stick to doctoring. The writing was peurile, exclamation marks abounded. I even found myself getting annoyed at the font the manuscript was presented in. It wasn't quite Comic Sans but almost.

My annoyance with the manuscript sections soured my experience with the whole book. I can't bring myself to rate it above 2 stars when I disliked half of the book so much. And it wasn't a translation issue either, as Suleima's parts were thoughtful and reflective in the translation by Elisabeth Jaquette. I'm unsure as to why Wannous felt the need to alter her style so much in the manuscript sections.

I would be open to reading more from this author in the future, as long as Naseem has put down his pen for good.