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The Blue Between Sky and Water cover art

The Blue Between Sky and Water

By: Susan Abulhawa
Narrated by: Jennifer Woodward
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Summary

It is 1947, and Beit Daras, a quiet village in Palestine surrounded by olive groves, is home to the Baraka family. Eldest daughter Nazmiyeh looks after her widowed mother, prone to wandering and strange outbursts, while her brother Mamdouh tends to the village bees. Their younger sister Mariam, with her striking mismatched eyes, spends her days talking to imaginary friends and writing.

When Israeli forces gather outside the town's borders, nobody suspects the terror that is about to descend. Soon the village is burning and, amidst smoke and ash, the family must take the long road to Gaza, in a walk that will test them to their limits.

Sixty years later, Mamdouh's granddaughter Nur is living in America. She falls in love with a married man, a doctor who works in Palestine, and follows him to Gaza. There she meets Alwan, the mother of Khaled - a boy trapped in his own body, unable to wake up from a deep blue dream. It is through her that Nur will at last discover the ties of kinship that transcend distance - and even death.

The Blue Between Sky and Water is a story of powerful, flawed women; of relocation, separation, and heartache; of renewal, family, endurance, and love. Susan Abulhawa brings a raw humanity and delicate authority to the story of Palestine in this devastatingly beautiful tale.

©2015 Susan Abulhawa (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Blue Between Sky and Water

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A Beautiful Story

I loved every minute of this book. The narration was perfect too. Makes me want to go visit Gaza and Palestine.

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Outstanding humanity

Beautiful written, sympathetically read. Rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors. I was heartbroken that the story had ended, I wanted to stay with these characters for so much longer.

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Another amazing book

Great story, beautifully written. As her other books, this was a journey through time, taking you to a war torn and oppressed society where the unconditional love of family guides you through the most horrific circumstances. It made me want to learn more about the Arabic cultures of the world. The language is poetic and passionate. Please write more, I’ve run out!

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1 person found this helpful

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loved it!

loved it! eye opening and a must for anyone trying to under another perspective of the long Palestinian struggle.
I would have wished the story teller was an Arabic speaker, many words weren't pronounced as they should be.

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The other side of the story

This book is a sobering insight into the life of the Palestinians living in Gaza. I found a lot of what I thought I knew and understood of Gaza was wrong.Many of my preconceived notions about the conflict were shattered by this book. I remember when all those Palestinians were released from prison in exchange for the one Israeli soldier but to hear the story recounted by the mothers, wives and sisters of the Palestinian prisoners and what they had to endure to visit their sons, husbands and brothers in prison was an education. Its a book about the courage and resilience of women and the power and strength of family and hope.

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6 people found this helpful

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Ethereal romantic

Some triggering point of abuse but mostly a wonderful story of generation family over two continents. I love abulhawa’s writing.

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A beautiful tale with writing to match

Really enjoyable listen, a story that keeps you engaged. Well narrated. An insight into Palestinian life

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Loved it

Wonderful book. The story of human spirit surviving against all odds. Every character was beautifully brought to life.

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1 person found this helpful