A Woman Is No Man

More about the book

In 1990 Palestine, seventeen-year-old Isra prefers books over the suitors chosen by her father. Within a week, she is betrothed and married, moving to Brooklyn where she struggles under the oppressive expectations of her mother-in-law, Fareeda, and her new husband, Adam. As Isra faces pressure to bear sons, she gives birth to four daughters instead. Fast forward to 2008, Deya, Isra's eldest daughter, is pushed by Fareeda to meet potential husbands, despite her dreams of attending college. Deya often reflects on how her life might have changed had her parents not died in a car crash when she was eight. Fareeda insists that marriage is the only way to secure Deya’s future. However, fate intervenes, leading Deya down an unexpected path that uncovers shocking truths about her family. This revelation forces her to reevaluate everything she believed about her parents, their past, and her own future. Set against the backdrop of a complex America, the narrative explores themes of culture, honor, secrets, and the destructive power of silence and shame within families. It offers an intimate look into a controlling cultural world while addressing universal issues of love and betrayal.