Incredibly cheesy and stereotypical. The main character was a bit too flat for my liking. The love story, like many similar reviews state, was unbearable. Definitely would not recommend to others.

DNF at 12%

I loved The Language Of Baklava and have meant to try more by Abu-Jaber for years. When someone mentioned the main character in this story is 39, I decided it was time. Unfortunately, I must not be in the right headspace for it as I've really struggled to get into the story. It's written in 3rd person present tense, which usually doesn't bother me but it's really standing out as I read. I'm also not sure about the way it's structured, as in some parts Sirine's uncle is telling her a story/myth and then it'll switch back to the action of the main plot. I'll have to try it again some other time.

This is the story of an Iraqui/American, Sirine, who loves to cook. She falls in love with an Iraqui man, Han,who had to flee Iraq in order to avoid being arrested. It is a love story told through images of food, its smells and flavors. There is a parallel story that is narrated by the woman's uncle, who has raised her since her parents died while working for the Red Cross in Africa. The story within a story is a mythological tale about his Aunt Camille and her youngest son. He weaves the story to give counsel to her about life and whatever is happening to Sirine at the present moment. There are other characters who serve to complicate the love story and there is a mystery surrounding both Han and the American, Nathan, that keeps the story interesting throughout.

This book starts out slow, yet a third of the way through, it picks up and becomes mesmerizing for the second half of the book. For anyone interested in learning more about Arabs and/or Arab-Americans - the real people - and for those who enjoy charming tales - and anyone who likes romances, this book is for you! It’s unique, thought-provoking, inspiring, so cleverly constructed and... sweet...