This isn’t quite what I expected?

There were a lot of things I really liked about it. The writing is beautiful and very evocative - especially the sensory details, and not just those that relate to food (though this book will definitely make you want to find a nearby Middle Eastern restaurant). In addition, I felt like a really got a taste (not to overdo the food connections, but well…) of Arab American culture and the things that help Middle Eastern immigrants hold on to that in this new place - things like food, language, and story. My absolute favorite part of the book was the opening sections of each chapter - I loved listening Sirine’s uncle’s voice as he tells his “moralless tale.” I would have read a whole book of just him telling me stories.

That said, I felt like the primary plot of the book really dragged. The relationships were strange and some of the characters surreal. Sirine read very flat to me - her primary trait being her magnetic beauty rather than something related to her actual personality. I wanted to feel more connected to her and to feel that her relationship with Han was more substantial, but that didn’t really happen for me.

DNF at 30%

sorry but when i read books about arab characters "orientalism" is not generally the vibe i go for

One of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. Now I would like to read other books by this author. Loved the characters - some were quirky, some mysterious, all believable. Sirene is in her late 30s, the daughter of an Iraqi father and American mother. She works as a cook in an Arab restaurant in Los Angeles. Following the death of her parents, she was raised by her uncle, a wonderful man who likes to tell stories. So intertwined with the story of Sirene is a fable made up by her uncle about some of their ancestors. Sirene falls in love with Hanif, an Iraqi man who teaches at the same college as her uncle. The language and descriptions are absolutely beautiful. I often stopped to reread something because of the way it was written. Foodies will love the descriptions of Sirene's cooking. Those of us who like to read about other cultures will like the book because it portrays Iraqis, indeed all Middle Easterners as real people. Those who like stories about love and relationships will like the relationship Sirene has with her uncle, and of course the love story with Han. A terrific book.

Mostly this made me super hungry. I wish Nadia's Cafe delievered!! But also it was an enjoyable romance (that didn't end with a baby, yayyy) with some social commentary, myth, and history. And recipes!

October 15, 2023 Update:

I find it difficult to express myself in an organized and rational way. If you're a regular reader of my reviews, you're probably well aware of that fact. Recently, I've found rational thought to be increasingly difficult. Since October 7th, rational thought has become nigh on impossible.

When I originally wrote this review on 13 October 2023, I wrote the only words that would come to mind. Today, please allow me the opportunity to try again. Here goes:

When I read the reviews written by other Goodreads users, I discovered that about half were positive and half negative. They're all correct. How can this be? The answer can be simply stated. Part One of this book is marvelous. Part Two sucked, but it could have been easily salvaged by a good copy editor.

============================
My original October 13th review:

I lost myself in Part Two. I was hopelessly lost. Fortunately, I found myself at the end.

Onvan : Crescent - Nevisande : Diana Abu-Jaber - ISBN : 393325547 - ISBN13 : 9780393325546 - Dar 416 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2003

This book's description of Arabs, particularly students and academics, who live in the diaspora is heartbreakingly accurate. Abu-Jaber's descriptions are both intense and palpable. Just as you can taste the mujadara, so too can you feel the homesickness of the characters. Most are suffering from the type of homesickness that anyone plucked from their native home and transplanted into a foreign land would suffer. Sirine, the protagonist, suffers from a different kind of homesickness. Hers is a complex one that weaves together loss, love, crisis of identity, and misunderstanding. Beautifully painful to read.

It’s been a good bit since I read this and I’m typing this on my phone, so please excuse the poor quality of this review...
Part one: the noice
I’ll admit - there were some patches of writing in this book that were serene(get it? [deep apologies for my dad humor]) and almost made this book worthwhile.
For example, there was a passage where Sirine(main character, victim of my dad joke above) makes wara3 3neb(grape leaves) (or filo for baklava, can’t remember)in the late evening and thinks. Abu Jaber(author) describes the deep night’s light and the peace Sirine derives from it. She adds some thoughts of the protagonist, done in a way that reminds me of those old Syrian dramas and soap operas I grew up with. Something about it did something to me. I can’t really explain it - it was just one of those things. I remembered that soft calm feeling that can only come on a slightly chilly evening when you’re left alone with your thoughts to become an amateur philosopher.
Also, Hanif was an extremely well-developed character in my opinion. He had depth, backstory, culture, etc.
Part two: the not so noice
The reason behind the 3 star rating is the extremely poor plot development. Aka known as THERE WAS NO REAL PLOT. At the the end, a conflict is introduced, but other than that, for the rest of the book - Abu Jaber just gives painfully slow details on every last feature that could be described. This is not a police report, ma’am. Please spare us.
It was ruined by the aforementioned descriptions and a half-baked, unrealistic relationship. Also, I understand she’s an Arab American and disconnected from her culture… but I was shocked she didn’t know Fairouz(an EXTREMELY famous Lebanese singer).
It just dragged and dragged and midway through the book I just wanted to sleep. Like I do now, goodnight!

PS: pray for Afghanistan, please.

Beyond the DELICIOUS food stuff, this book really changed the way I thought about what it means to live in exile. Compelling all the way through, which is rare.

4.25⭐️ This is an unusual, introspective, quiet, character-driven story that pulls you inside a culture and community and also leaves you thinking about loss and exile and the experience of immigration. Oh, and there is romance. And such evocative, sensuous writing - about food and the LA neighborhood where it is set. I am always pulled in by a story that takes place in a restaurant and this novel is a creation as memorable, complex and beautiful as the dishes we read about throughout the book. It’s lovely and I’m glad I discovered this backlist gem.

CW: grief, kidnapping, death

The writing in this is just beautiful. The book is full of the tastes and smells of the Arab community of Los Angeles. Sirine is half-American and half-Iraqi. She lost her Iraqi father and American mother when she was just a child and they were on one of their many aid missions. She was raised by her Iraqi uncle - a very sweet and intelligent man. Sirine is 39 years old and a cook in a restaurant in the community. The book reminded me of other well-written books about exotic (to me) foods that brought the senses into the story. I want to taste and smell these wonderful sounding dishes. I've actually started putting a cinnamon stick in my cup when I pour in the coffee, maybe I'll try cardamom too.

The other main character is Hanif, an Iraqi immigrant who had to escape Saddam Hussein's regime. He is a professor along with Sirinie's uncle at the University. There are some other wonderful characters in this story of love and identity that really touched me. Nathan, the American photographer who went to Iraq. He doesn't eat anything it seems. Um-Nadia, the Lebanese restaurant owner and her daughter Mireille. Abdelrahman Salahadin, the imaginary, or not imaginary main character in Uncle's on-going story. There's Victor Hernandez who loves Mireille. Aziz is the leacherous poet.

There are secrets among these characters, things they have trouble sharing and it creates tension among them. The story start off slowly but builds quickly as things are revealed right up to the end. There's such heartbreak too, the reader can't help but feel it.

I had some trouble in the beginning with the interspersing of a story that was part fable part family myth told by her uncle. Each chapter after the first, starts with a few paragraphs of this fantastical story. Its a bit disconcerting at first.

There are parts of this book that I want to go back and reread before returning it to the library. I liked it that much, I've never reread a book.

Sirine, almost 40, tries to come to terms with her cultural background (her father was Iraqi), and also tries to understand an Iraqi expatriate professor that she starts to fall in love with. With many references to the cooking of the Middle East (I love foodie lit!).