"Rum's sensitive portrayal of Yara's inner monologue paints a clear picture of the traditional gendered expectations that are placed on many modern Palestinian American women, and the ways an unsettled past can affect the present." - Washington Post, "10 Noteworthy Books for September"
"Wise, expansive, and deeply compassionate, Etaf Rum's Evil Eye takes a deep dive into the tensions between generations and cultures as it follows a young Palestinian-American woman on her journey into self-discovery. This fierce story explores the notion of women's freedom and of what becomes of identity when gender roles, family, and cultural traditions are challenged and rewritten. A rich and compelling read." -
Diana Abu-Jaber, author of Fencing with the King and Birds of Paradise"Bold and immersive." -
The National (UAE)"A deeply resonant tale of multigenerational trauma and survival." -
Booklist (starred review)"The fierce feminist sentiments and nuanced approach to Yara's fraught marriage and family history make for a winning combination." -
Publishers Weekly"Compelling. . . . Rum does not simplify the choices Yara faces as a woman whose ambition conflicts with family responsibility. . . . Rum's nuanced approach to difficult questions of individual and cultural identity is refreshing." -
Kirkus Reviews"Rum is a skilled, generous and cadenced writer. While she is not the first to unpack the ways in which first-generation children of immigrants grapple with the weight of newfound freedom and generational fear, she does so with a complexity and nuance that makes every interaction feel fresh and unexpectedly powerful. . . . Perfect for book clubs, EVIL EYE cements Etaf Rum's position as one of the leading writers of literary fiction that transcends continents and histories." -
Book Reporter"Rum's observations about the intersections of Arab and Southern traditions and their similarities in art, history, media, and food are particularly strong . . . .
Evil Eye has the power to reach readers of all ages and cultures, who will undoubtedly cheer Yara on as she forges a new path." -
BookPage"With subtlety and precision, Etaf Rum interrogates the complex interior landscapes of love, passion, immigration, identity and art. Rum is a phenomenal talent who combines raw honesty with a lyrical sensibility. A wonderful read!" -
Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee and The Leftover Woman"Etaf Rum's talent shines in the pages of this stunning book. . . .A beautiful novel about the ways in which past traumas can plague us, narrowing our field of vision and threatening our future happiness. . . . I'm grateful for this newest addition to the growing canon of Palestinian American literature." -
Middle East Eye"A nuanced exploration of exile filled with the sharp poignancy of immigrant experience. . .
.Evil Eye is interspersed with umpteen Arab motifs, sights, sounds and smells. At times, it takes the form of an elaborate dinner spread, the sound of the oud or the verses of Mahmoud Darwish. In a dreamy sequence, it captures Palestinian women slipping off their headscarves to dance, 'their bodies radiant with freedom'. . . .While
Evil Eye chronicles Yara's interior and intimate worlds, it also becomes the tale of Palestine and its homeless, nameless people." -
The Hindu"A moving meditation on motherhood, inter-generational trauma and how surface appearances often obscure a deeper truth. . . . A stunning second novel from a writer who set the bar very high with her first!" -
Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Romantics and Community Board"With her characteristic insight and tenderness, Etaf Rum takes readers through Yara's journey as she reflects on her family's past and its lasting impact.
Evil Eyeis a moving look at the complexities of identity, marriage, and redemption." -
Melissa Rivero, author of The Affairs of the Falcóns 
