June Group Read Discussion: The Map of Salt and Stars

[Nadine in NY]

^^^ I can’t edit my above post, so I want to add here that I don’t mean to imply that transgender people are pretending anything. That’s why I find this dichotomy interesting. I’m not sure what it means, though.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "I’m currently 43% through now. I’m listening to the audiobook, and it’s not confusing at all. (I might spell some names wrong!)

I don’t like heavily descriptive writing, so I’m annoyed by this w..."

I love descriptive writing! ;) However, I think I might feel differently about that if I was listening to it...? I rarely listen to a book, so I don't know...

"I’d heard of synesthesia before. I do not have it, but I guess I’m sympathetic to it, because things like a smell being yellow or a dog’s bark being silver-purple make sense to me."

I also felt like the colors made sense to me and just added to the text.

"Ive just gotten to the part where Noor’s hair has been shaved and she’s been told to pretend to be a boy, and that’s interesting, since we are reading this for a transgender/non-binary author. And of course in the fairytale we also have a girl pretending to be a boy. Rawiya’s story is full of men around her, who don’t know she’s a girl, but so far Noor’s story is full of mostly women around her."

Oh, gosh! You make some really great points here. I had rather forgotten that both characters are pretending to be boys, but it is interesting that one is then surrounded by males while the other is surrounded by females. And both Rawiya and Nour only have their mothers left, no father in their life. (As I recall Rawiya's father was dead?) That juxtaposition is really interesting. Wonder if that just happened organically as Joukhadar wrote or if they planned it?

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "^^^ I can’t edit my above post, so I want to add here that I don’t mean to imply that transgender people are pretending anything. That’s why I find this dichotomy interesting. I’m not sure what it means though..."

I find it hysterical that this message happened to post at the TOP of the second page! :) There is no message directly above it! ;)

Agreed. Not sure if it is symbolic of anything or not... Rawiya was definitely much more of a fighter than was Nour. She was having trouble even defending Huda from the boys when they attacked. However, she didn't have any weapons either. I kinda feel as if Rawiya behaved more like a boy than did Nour. In fact, I didn't really remember that she was told to look/behave like a boy because it always seemed to me as if she was a girl, but Rawiya seemed much more 'masculine'. Although, Rawiya did purposefully disguise herself to be a male, whereas Nour was simply told she was to pretend to be a male. Perhaps that is the difference? Wow. You really got me thinking! ;)

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "... Plus, Nour is the "middle child" and typically they feel left out and are searching for connection, so I was glad she had that with Baba. ..."

I’m listening to audio, and honestly..."

Well, I actually made notes that Zahra is the oldest at 18, Huda is the "middle child" (I don't recall ever learning her age), and Nour is the youngest at 12. So you caught me! In my old age I was all mixed up! Huda is the middle child, not Nour. Yikes! :) Anyone else with input regarding these three girls' birth order/ages? I'm obviously a mess! :)

[Nadine in NY]

Lynn wrote: "(As I recall Rawiya's father was dead?) .."


Yes, both of their fathers are dead. I suppose that's why Nour found comfort in Rawiya's story.

And yes, Nour does not want to be a boy, she cries out that she just wants to be herself. (view spoiler)[Her family encourages her to pretend to be a boy, it would be safer, and then a few pages later Huda is attacked so I guess that proved that point. Rawiya, like Mulan, dresses as a boy so she can go off on her adventure. She's skilled in fighting and is the hero when it comes to attacking the roc. I can't remember why she went on that quest? She spent a lot of time feeling guilty about not telling her mother that she would be gone for a while, but I can't remember what her goal was. (hide spoiler)]

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "(As I recall Rawiya's father was dead?) .."


Yes, both of their fathers are dead. I suppose that's why Nour found comfort in Rawiya's story.

And yes, Nour does not want to be a boy, ..."

On page 7, (view spoiler)[Rawiya left because her "family was slowly starving." The only money they had was what her brother, Salim, brought home from his sea voyages. Her mother was a widow. (So, yes, her father was also dead.) She was 16 when she decided to leave home and go to Fes to supposedly sell her embroidery. She even hid "her new-cut hair" with a red scarf wrapped around her face and neck from her mother. She was hoping to meet the "legendary mapmaker who came to the market in Fes once a year," Abu Abd Allah Muhammad al-Idrisi, and become his apprentice. (hide spoiler)]

[Nadine in NY]

Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "(As I recall Rawiya's father was dead?) .."


Yes, both of their fathers are dead. I suppose that's why Nour found comfort in Rawiya's story.

And yes, Nour does not wan..."

ahhh - thanks! And they go on the trip to add data for their map making?

[Katy]

Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Well, I actually made notes that Zahra is the oldest at 18, Huda is the "middle child" (I don't recall ever learning her age), and Nour is the youngest at 12. So you caught me! In my old age I was all mixed up! Huda is the middle child, not Nour. Yikes! :) Anyone else with input regarding these three girls' birth order/ages? I'm obviously a mess! :) ..."

I’m listening to audi..."

I'm pretty sure Huda is the oldest. in the first chapter it says that Zahra's jealous because Huda got to graduate high school before they left New York and she didn't.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "(As I recall Rawiya's father was dead?) ..,

ahhh - thanks! And they go on the trip to add data for their map making?"

Yes. Although I felt as if al-Idrisi was the only one who really made any notes or wrote anything, as if the other two were mainly there to protect him more than anything...

[L Y N N]

Katy wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Well, I actually made notes that Zahra is the oldest at 18, Huda is the "middle child" (I don't recall ever learning her age), and Nour is the youngest at 12. So you cau..."

Thank you!!! :) (So much for my note-taking skills! lol

[L Y N N]

Katy wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Well, I actually made notes that Zahra is the oldest at 18, Huda is the "middle child" (I don't recall ever learning her age), and Nour is the youngest at 12. So you cau..."

And that actually makes a lot of sense to me with regard to their relationships with each other.

[Arielle]

I just started reading it last night, but am enjoying it, so far. I look forward to taking part in the discussion when I am further along.

[L Y N N]

Arielle wrote: "I just started reading it last night, but am enjoying it, so far. I look forward to taking part in the discussion when I am further along."

And we all look forward to your reactions and comments! Happy reading!

[Nadine in NY]

I finished! Mostly, I’m just glad to be done. Reading this has reminded me yet again that I do not like lush, lyrical prose, nor do I like magical realism.

[Bekky]

Lynn wrote: "(3) How do the two different timelines influence the plot? What demands does this format place on the reader? Did it make you feel closer to the characters? Was it an effective way to tell this sto..."

Lynn wrote: "(2) What type of relationship do you believe Baba had with each of his daughters? How do you believe their bonds with him affected them in the aftermath of the Syrian bombing?"

I actually enjoyed the dual narrative -- it gives perspective on how stories transcend time and that it is not always linear. It also played into what keeps Nour grounded and how she perceives the world.

It did take me a bit longer to get into the story of Rawiya and had to picture it differently from the story of Nour. Additionally, Rawiya's story gives perspective on the term refugee and how we move throughout the world.

All in all, I was impressed with the way the author captured an utterly all consuming experience without clouding it with political information. I felt like I was embedded in the journey and in that moment you can only be focused on what is in front of you. Rawiya explained the power of travel and what it means to transcend borders and Nour reminded you that borders do not make a home.

[Bekky]

Nadine wrote: "I’m currently 43% through now. I’m listening to the audiobook, and it’s not confusing at all. (I might spell some names wrong!)

I don’t like heavily descriptive writing, so I’m annoyed by this w..."

I agree... I felt Nour's voice was a little too mature at times and her young personality popped up unexpectedly.

[Shannon]

I just realized I never finished answering the questions!

(4) What effect does Abu Sayeed's arrival have on Nour and her family? What do you think might have happened to the three girls and their mother in the aftermath of the bombing if Abu Sayeed had not been there with them?

He was a new father-figure/guide/anchor for them. He helped fill a void they all had (and I think they did that for him, as well, particularly Nour). Their mother was a strong, smart woman, so I do think they might have gotten somewhere, but considering they didn't have a car, it definitely would have taken a lot longer for them to get Huda help. I do think Huda would have died had they not had Abu Sayeed.

(5) How is The Map of Salt and Stars like other novels you have read about refugees? How is it different?

The main difference is probably the reality of it all. I know I've read stories about refugees, but they've been fantasy-type novels, so there's a separation I, as the reader, can have. With this, I kept remembering that this is reality for so many (and far worse is also reality for so many).

We seem to have skipped question 6 :)

(7) How do the characters rely on their religion throughout the novel?

It definitely guides and strengthens them throughout. It also helps anchor them, which we really see in their celebration after Huda's attack. I feel terrible because I can't remember which holiday it was meant to be, just that they needed goat meat for it and their mother had never missed that celebration (even though she was Catholic and it was a Muslim holiday). I think, too, there's a wider lens they're given through faith: kind of like how maps tell a story and seeing the whole map instead of just a small section reveals how everything is connected, their faith gives them the ability to recognize that they are sort of zoomed in on a particular point in their lives and in the world, but they know that their maker has connected their paths to a greater story.

That was poorly worded, but hopefully y'all get what I mean!

I also think Nour's grappling with her faith was part of her growth. Certainly we don't reach a point where she's made any major decisions, but at that age, a lot of people do start to question such things and have to start deciding for themselves what they believe.

[Shannon]

(8) Why do you think the title The Map of Salt and Stars was selected for this novel? What significance does it hold for the characters? What does it mean to you?

It reflects the two tales--one involving the salt of tears and the other involving the guidance of stars. Map-making was heavily featured in both, not only as a job but as a way of telling stories.

(9) What advantages or disadvantages are present as a result of having a child, Nour, as the narrator? Did you feel as if it enhanced or detracted from the story overall to have Nour/a child as the narrator? Who might you choose to narrate the story instead? Why?

As someone else pointed out, her being an American child meant that she could learn about things in a way that allowed the reader to learn without it feeling like an information dump. I think, too, there's something about seeing the life of a refugee through a child's eyes that's just different from an adult's. Nour is able to voice the unfairness of it all and ask the hard questions that adults often veer away from. Another advantage is that it helps with building tension--while an adult narrator would know immediately how dire their circumstances are, Nour doesn't, so she's still able to approach things a bit more hopefully, while the reader knows how bad things really are. My writing isn't very coherent today, so please forgive me.

Personally, I thought Nour's intelligence was (mostly) believable. Children who encounter more stories tend to be smarter, plus she was a child who loved learning and asking questions, so it seemed fine to me that she seemed a bit older than an average 12-year-old.

(10) What is the significance of the "stone" and why does Nour discard it?

It's her last link to the past--her father's and Abu Sayeed's stories, magic, and clinging to others for guidance and decision-making. She wanted it to link her to those she'd lost the way that it had for Rawiyah. Discarding it was an act of growth and understanding that you can't bring them back, and also (I think) a realization that she'll always be linked to those she loves through her own personal story. It was an act of letting go and moving on.

[Shannon]

(11) Khaldun says: "The words of others can overwhelm and drown out your own. So, you see, you must keep careful track of the borders of your stories, where your voice ends and another's begins" (page 133). Discuss the power of stories. How were the stories important to the characters?

Can you provide examples of the characters protecting their voices?

How do you stay true to yourself?

These are great questions, but I think I'm too far distant from the book at this point to remember specific instances. Obviously the story of Rawiyah was extremely important to Nour, and it was told often enough in her family that she was able to reference it and everyone knew what she meant. The stories linked the fairy tale to reality, and as was revealed through the map, the stories linked the individuals. I guess the summary would be that we're all stories, and part of the book was Nour coming to recognize that.

(12) Nour says to Yusuf, "I thought you were like the other bad men" (page 223). Of what significance is Yusuf's character? Were you expecting a different outcome for him?

I was hoping he would turn out to be good. I think his character was there to show a different kind of reaction to what was going on, as well as a "things/people aren't always what they seem" instance.

(13) How do the characters react to the trauma of sexual violence? Why do you think neither Nour nor Huda tells anyone immediately after? Why does Nour choose to tell Yusuf? What was your reaction to that scene? What do you think any lasting effects of that attack were?

I think Nour is ashamed that she wasn't able to protect Huda, and she seems to sense that Huda doesn't want others to know. I imagine Huda has many reasons for not saying anything -- the trauma is hard for survivors to talk about anyway, but throwing that on top of what the family was already going through was likely something Huda was trying to avoid. She knew it would only add extra stress.

I'm not sure why Nour chose Yusuf, other than maybe as an explanation of why she'd been wary of him. Also, possibly, because she started to see that he had been trying to act as a protector for his family and saw that they shared a similar feeling of failure when it came to protecting those they loved.

My reaction was "no, no, no, no, no. Please somebody stop it!!!" And then relief that the attackers didn't quite get what they wanted.

It was added trauma for Huda and Nour, absolutely. But I think it was also the real breaking point for Nour. I think that's what drove home the reality of the situation and how little she could do to keep her family safe/keep things in stasis.

[Nadine in NY]

I was confused about Yusuf's character, and I think this is because I was bored and not enjoying the book, so I must've spaced out a bit and missed a few things. (view spoiler)[ It seemed like Nour and her family just RANDOMLY were picked up by Yusuf's mother when their car broke down? They had been total strangers up to that point? And then she VERY NICELY offered to drive them to Jordan (I think it was Jordan?)?? And then she went above and beyond the bounds of polite and decided to welcome these complete strangers into her rented rooms in Jordan, so that they would not have to stay in the refugee camp? And then at some point Yusuf shows up, and ... he and Zahra fall in love? Somehow?
a love powerful enough that he abandoned his mother and the rest of his family in order to go searching for Zahra again ... (hide spoiler)] I feel like I missed something important, because it seemed like these families suddenly had a lasting bond that I did not understand.

[Katy]

Nadine wrote: "I was confused about Yusuf's character, and I think this is because I was bored and not enjoying the book, so I must've spaced out a bit and missed a few things. It seemed like Nour and her family..."

I don't think you missed anything. I think it was just the bond of shared danger. But, it did seem a bit much in places. I think they might also have been working on a safety in numbers theory.

[Nadine in NY]

Katy wrote: "I don't think you missed anything. I think it was just the bond of shared danger. But, it did seem a bit much in ..."


Thanks. I guess I feel like that was poor character development. I didn't buy it.


I also thought the assault was gratuitous and cheap. It's 2020, aren't we past plot developments being driven by rape or attempted rape? (view spoiler)[ isn't it enough that Hoda's arm ended up being amputated? She had to be assaulted as well?? (hide spoiler)]

And if it was meant to show rape as a common occurrence, then strangers cannot be trusted, and it's even MORE unbelievable that Nour's family readily moved in w/ Yusuf's family.

[Shannon]

Nadine wrote: "Katy wrote: "I don't think you missed anything. I think it was just the bond of shared danger. But, it did seem a bit much in ..."


Thanks. I guess I feel like that was poor character development...."

Your hatred for this book is so palpable, Nadine lol

[Nadine in NY]

Shannon wrote: "... Your hatred for this book is so palpable, Nadine lol ..."


LOL!!

[Hilary]

Nadine wrote: "I’m currently 43% through now. I’m listening to the audiobook, and it’s not confusing at all. (I might spell some names wrong!)

I don’t like heavily descriptive writing, so I’m annoyed by this w..."


I agree that all the details dragged the plot a little bit. I had trouble the first hundred pages or so, and then I started skimming all the descriptive parts and that helped me quite a bit.

Good point about the usefulness of Nour's character being an American.

[Hilary]

Lynn wrote: "(8) Why do you think the title The Map of Salt and Stars was selected for this novel? What significance does it hold for the characters? What does it mean to you?"

I think the stars represent hope. Looking at the stars and remembering/retelling the stories of the constellations seemed to bring peace and comfort to both Rawiya and Nour. And I think salt represents grief. The salt of our tears from our loss and sadness.

I think the stars and salt also represent the connection we have to the past and to each other. There were the dual timelines of the two stories (maps), represented by the stars. Even though the two characters were living in different times, they still saw the same stars and received comfort from them. And no matter what is going on and how bad things seem (war, pandemic, civil unrest) the stars will live on with or without us people.
Salt represents the earth. Both Rawiya and Nour traveled along the same route and even saw some of the same things (a mosque and other things I can't remember). So again, there is the connection between the two stories.

[L Y N N]

I have grossly neglected this in the past week or two. I will follow-up later today. Promise! Anxious to read everyone's thoughts!

[Becky]

It took me a MONTH to read this book... there were parts I enjoyed but for the most part, I (like some others have mentioned) questioned myself as to why I was continuing to read it. Glad it’s done.

[Nadine in NY]

Someone on reddit just asked for books that "will destroy you emotionally." I don't like to be destroyed, so I looked at the replies to check which books I should avoid and to my surprise, I saw quite a few books that I disliked because I thought they were dull and didn't move me at all, just annoyed me (example: All the Light We Cannot See. I also saw books that I had really enjoyed, but that I did not find to be "emotional gut-punches" at all. (example: Circe)

THIS book was on the list, too! I had an epiphany! Many readers like a good cry and they like books that are emotional gut punches, and many books are popular because of that. But a lot of those books offer only the emotional gut punch. For a reader who resonates with that, a book with a good punch is a five star read. For a reader who is unaffected, the book needs to have some other quality also, or it's just boring.

It's like some people are color blind and can't see the full spectrum, some people have different taste or smell receptors and just can't taste the soapiness of cilantro or that weird asparagus smell. And SOME people just do not experience the emotional gut punch!

It's not that I never cry or never find books sad - any book in which the dog dies, for example, is devastating for me. I avoid those books, though, because I do not find that sort of devastation to be cathartic, it's just plain upsetting. I've also never had what others describe as "a good cry." But some people feel that catharsis and are cleansed after, I guess? You guys tell me!

Was reading this book akin to having a good cry?

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Someone on reddit just asked for books that "will destroy you emotionally." I don't like to be destroyed, so I looked at the replies to check which books I should avoid and to my surprise, I saw qu..."

I apologize, Nadine, I just revisited this discussion and saw your post. Since I know you are an engineer, I do not find it unusual or unexpected that you might not feel the "gut punches" as intensely when you read. Perhaps your brain is just not wired for that as much as others of us. However, I do have a friend and fellow book club member who simply cannot read a book about an animal, especially a dog, dying. She just cannot. It rips her apart, so I find myself preview reading books before suggesting them to this club to avoid possibly including one with a dog's death unknowingly. But she can read about people dying, etc., with no problem. :)

I think this is just a matter of unique reactions for each individual to anything, but especially to reading! It is so interesting...and that is what makes discussion so much fun, I think.

What I find fascinating is that as I considered this book I do not remember crying a lot or feeling a "gut punch," per se. But I did tear up several times...

[L Y N N]

Bekky wrote: "Lynn wrote: "(3) How do the two different timelines influence the plot? What demands does this format place on the reader? Did it make you feel closer to the characters? Was it an effective way to ..."

I think you nailed it as the main theme of this book and how it impacted me as well. To experience the travel of a homeless refugee without any external information other than what choices are available to this person/these people is, IMO, so very powerful! I was so scared for all of them! I thought for sure the girl would die and who knew what might happen to the mother, etc. It was intense and suspenseful and I couldn't imagine being in such situations.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "I finished! Mostly, I’m just glad to be done. Reading this has reminded me yet again that I do not like lush, lyrical prose, nor do I like magical realism."

But you did finish! Good for you! :)

[L Y N N]

Shannon wrote: "I just realized I never finished answering the questions!"

Ha! Ha! While it isn't mandatory or expected, sometimes it helps prompt discussion and/or for me, at least, it helps me focus on my reaction(s) to the book.

"He was a new father-figure/guide/anchor for them. He helped fill a void they all had (and I think they did that for him, as well, particularly Nour). Their mother was a strong, smart woman, so I do think they might have gotten somewhere, but considering they didn't have a car, it definitely would have taken a lot longer for them to get Huda help. I do think Huda would have died had they not had Abu Sayeed."

I agree with all of that. I was so scared for Huda and also felt she would have died...

"The main difference is probably the reality of it all. I know I've read stories about refugees, but they've been fantasy-type novels, so there's a separation I, as the reader, can have. With this, I kept remembering that this is reality for so many (and far worse is also reality for so many)."

Ah, yes. I think books that reflect reality in the real world are so effective for this. One of the best ones I've read recently was A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story which is aimed at a younger audience but I felt was extremely powerful in revealing what so many people in this world are experiencing and have experienced.

"We seem to have skipped question 6 :)"

Ha! Perhaps I cant count? :)

"It definitely guides and strengthens them throughout. It also helps anchor them, which we really see in their celebration after Huda's attack. I feel terrible because I can't remember which holiday it was meant to be, just that they needed goat meat for it and their mother had never missed that celebration (even though she was Catholic and it was a Muslim holiday). I think, too, there's a wider lens they're given through faith: kind of like how maps tell a story and seeing the whole map instead of just a small section reveals how everything is connected, their faith gives them the ability to recognize that they are sort of zoomed in on a particular point in their lives and in the world, but they know that their maker has connected their paths to a greater story.

That was poorly worded, but hopefully y'all get what I mean!"

I thought that was well-stated! I agree that the structure of religion seemed to help them see beyond their current circumstances.

"I also think Nour's grappling with her faith was part of her growth. Certainly we don't reach a point where she's made any major decisions, but at that age, a lot of people do start to question such things and have to start deciding for themselves what they believe."

Agreed.

[L Y N N]

Shannon wrote: "It reflects the two tales--one involving the salt of tears and the other involving the guidance of stars. Map-making was heavily featured in both, not only as a job but as a way of telling stories."

These were my thoughts/reactions as well! This book was incredibly complex and yet so approachable and easily understood, IMO.

"As someone else pointed out, her being an American child meant that she could learn about things in a way that allowed the reader to learn without it feeling like an information dump. I think, too, there's something about seeing the life of a refugee through a child's eyes that's just different from an adult's. Nour is able to voice the unfairness of it all and ask the hard questions that adults often veer away from. Another advantage is that it helps with building tension--while an adult narrator would know immediately how dire their circumstances are, Nour doesn't, so she's still able to approach things a bit more hopefully, while the reader knows how bad things really are. My writing isn't very coherent today, so please forgive me.

Personally, I thought Nour's intelligence was (mostly) believable. Children who encounter more stories tend to be smarter, plus she was a child who loved learning and asking questions, so it seemed fine to me that she seemed a bit older than an average 12-year-old."

Oh, my, Shannon, you and I had much the same reactions to this book! Cool! As a "displaced elementary education instructor" I am sometimes frustrated that people want to make all children 'dumber' or less intuitive or unable to understand certain things. I disagree. Development during childhood is very similar to development during adulthood, it varies greatly with each individual and is not linear, nor does it follow a specific sequence/structure. Each child understands the world differently just as each adult does, IMO. Sometimes children understand much more than we know, they just can't always express themselves adequately unless we provide the opportunity to allow them to think it through. (Yes, I just read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking so I am particularly sensitive to providing others with time and opportunity to process. :))

"It's her last link to the past--her father's and Abu Sayeed's stories, magic, and clinging to others for guidance and decision-making. She wanted it to link her to those she'd lost the way that it had for Rawiyah. Discarding it was an act of growth and understanding that you can't bring them back, and also (I think) a realization that she'll always be linked to those she loves through her own personal story. It was an act of letting go and moving on."

I could not have stated my own thoughts and feelings any better! Thank you!

[L Y N N]

Shannon wrote: "These are great questions, but I think I'm too far distant from the book at this point to remember specific instances. Obviously the story of Rawiyah was extremely important to Nour, and it was told often enough in her family that she was able to reference it and everyone knew what she meant. The stories linked the fairy tale to reality, and as was revealed through the map, the stories linked the individuals. I guess the summary would be that we're all stories, and part of the book was Nour coming to recognize that."

I agree. I think the Rawiya story was such a connection between Nour and her father that made it extremely special to her. It seemed she had spent a lot of time one-on-one with their father that the other two girls hadn't had...

"I was hoping he would turn out to be good. I think his character was there to show a different kind of reaction to what was going on, as well as a "things/people aren't always what they seem" instance."

I was particularly impressed by Nour's ability to adjust her initial opinion of Yusuf once she got to know him better.

"I think Nour is ashamed that she wasn't able to protect Huda, and she seems to sense that Huda doesn't want others to know. I imagine Huda has many reasons for not saying anything -- the trauma is hard for survivors to talk about anyway, but throwing that on top of what the family was already going through was likely something Huda was trying to avoid. She knew it would only add extra stress."

Yes. I believe it is a natural reaction to not tell anyone since historically the victim is always blamed and/or not believed anyway. Plus, they both survived and at this point that is the main goal...

"I'm not sure why Nour chose Yusuf, other than maybe as an explanation of why she'd been wary of him. Also, possibly, because she started to see that he had been trying to act as a protector for his family and saw that they shared a similar feeling of failure when it came to protecting those they loved."

I also thought this was some sort of test of Yusuf's character, plus he was younger, so perhaps more approachable. And that attempt to protect. Again, as I recall it was Abu Sayeed who actually came along and rescued them/Huda. If not for him...

"My reaction was "no, no, no, no, no. Please somebody stop it!!!" And then relief that the attackers didn't quite get what they wanted.

It was added trauma for Huda and Nour, absolutely. But I think it was also the real breaking point for Nour. I think that's what drove home the reality of the situation and how little she could do to keep her family safe/keep things in stasis."

Yes. Agreed. I think it proved just how dire their circumstances were and just how little control they had...

[L Y N N]

Shannon wrote: "Your hatred for this book is so palpable, Nadine lol"

Definitely made me laugh out loud.

I guess I could easily relate to selectively allowing someone to help you when you are stranded. If you have no options, you are basically forced to allow someone to help you. Fortunately, those who happened along and were basically in the same boat of being homeless and traveling/searching for refuge, were good folks who treated them well. I've been stranded enough on the road with disabled vehicles long before cell phones and it's tough. But eventually you must allow someone to help you or you are stuck.

And teenagers forced together by circumstances beyond their control with no secure foundation to their lives except their families or those with whom they are traveling, would, I think, be naturally drawn to one another.

[L Y N N]

Hilary wrote: "Good point about the usefulness of Nour's character being an American."

Yes. I hadn't really considered that difference between herself and her sisters.

[L Y N N]

Hilary wrote: "I think the stars represent hope. Looking at the stars and remembering/retelling the stories of the constellations seemed to bring peace and comfort to both Rawiya and Nour. And I think salt represents grief. The salt of our tears from our loss and sadness.

I think the stars and salt also represent the connection we have to the past and to each other. There were the dual timelines of the two stories (maps), represented by the stars. Even though the two characters were living in different times, they still saw the same stars and received comfort from them. And no matter what is going on and how bad things seem (war, pandemic, civil unrest) the stars will live on with or without us people."

Yes! Plus, some of the same energy in stars is also within each of us. So definitely connection across time...

"Salt represents the earth. Both Rawiya and Nour traveled along the same route and even saw some of the same things (a mosque and other things I can't remember). So again, there is the connection between the two stories."

I felt it also represented the sea/ocean which presented such a challenge to travel.

[L Y N N]

What great discussion! You all are amazing!!! :)

[Hilary]

Lynn wrote: "What great discussion! You all are amazing!!! :)"

I think this book lent itself well to good discussion. I think this has been one of my favorite monthly discussions so far.