Secrets Under the Olive Tree

This is a truly beautiful novel that details the triumphs of a young woman. Her story could be any woman's story, but the characters happen to be Palestinians which is refreshing. It is a story that shows the atrocities of domestic violence, alcoholism, and even rape that affect all cultures and religions. The author makes it very clear that the book does not represent Palestinians, Muslims, or Arabs. In fact, the "bad" characters in the book do not behave Islamic or according to Arab protocol. This is very clear to me as a reader and should be to others. I do not consider myself a very religious person, yet the references about faith are beautiful and show the religion of Islam to be beautiful and merciful even when people are not. There are characters male and female who truly shine. Layla, Wafa, Faris, Eiyad, and many more. Their goodness outweighs the any of the "evil" that the other characters do.

This has to be, by far, my favorite read so far. I've never read anything that could relate to me as much as this book. There are so many metaphors, which I love, and it all comes to a circle, which is another thing I love. I'm so proud of nevien for writing this book. I'm so proud that she related the truth without putting our race down. I'm assuming there will be another book from amal's point of view. Can't wait!!! Women of all backgrounds need to read this book. Loved it!!!!!!!

This book was the first that I've had time to read in a long time, and I'm so glad that I picked it up. It's a quick read and quite a page-turner! Once the opening event takes place in the first chapter, then I was swept up in the story of Layla, the main character, and her search for answers to questions about her place in her family and culture. Ms. Shaabneh gives as an intimate portrait of life in Palestine and in Palestinian-American culture- it almost feels like we, too, are sitting right there at the table rolling grape leaves with the characters in the book, sharing in their conversations and struggles. We are also made to see a wide range of characters, locations, and conflicts that make the book interesting and compelling. It felt great to have time to finish a book and I'm so truly happy that it was this one. Pick it up and you won't be disappointed! Looking forward to reading more from Ms. Shaabneh in the future.

Told through the eyes of Layla, Secrets under the olive tree represents the struggles of a portion of Arabian woman face. Her experiences reflect those of many women in her position that have grown up in similar backgrounds and is forced to cling to the older ways of the culture. The story follows Layla from a child growing up in a small village in Palestine to her current life in America. It speaks of her struggles of trying to be progressive but at the same time, not abandoning the culture she grew up with. She often times points out the underlying issue of the treatment of women and how this is not reflective in the religion. She wants to keep her name “clean” so no one will speak badly of her. She wishes to please her family and not bring shame upon them but at the same time, she wishes to be something more than what the culture has in mind for her.Being a Palestinian woman who came to America, the author writes some of this from personal experiences of herself as well as the people around her. By using writing techniques of flashbacks and flashforwards, the author creates almost two stories in a way and each is as interesting as the other. It makes the reader ask a lot of questions and the answers don’t get revealed until the end in the most unexpected of ways. There are constant mentions of Arabic words throughout that draws in readers who understand them in a deeper way a mere translation would give. It’s to allow those who find themselves in a similar situation to be able to relate to Layla. This book seems to be a PSA for the culture itself to take a look at how the woman struggle. The bad treatment of them is a big secret, hidden behind smiles and lies. It’s the Muslim woman’s burden and it shouldn’t be. Throughout the book, women not only are blamed for everything but often times feel they should blame themselves. In both instances of rape that occurred, both women in the situation decided it was their fault and to carry this burden with them in secret.There was always secrets. If they were to tell others they would also be blamed for it. It was stated how having a boy is much better than having a girl. The mother and father are called after their oldest son. “... The most important reason for desiring a son is that sons cannot be dishonored regardless of what they do. It is as if God built a layer of rubber on men; their transgressions simply bounce off. Maleness entitles one to a life of public clemency otherwise unobtainable by the fair sex.” Their mistakes are not taken lightly and the issue isn’t religious. As perfectly stated in a conversation about a woman marrying while not a virgin, “This isn’t about heaven or hell, it’s not even about right and wrong. It’s about the public. It’s not God judging her that we’re worried about right now… It’s people, it’s her husband.” Aside from the many secrets hidden behind lies, the overarching symbolism of the olive tree is brought up and changes as the story progresses.Although the culture and religion seems to have a negative connotation at times, it is clear there is a separation of the two. This story is an excellent read but shouldn’t be used to pity the woman or to hate the culture. Stories of experiences are told from only one point of view. If this was used to describe all woman in her situation, it would be too simple. This merely looks at one aspect of women and brings light to it to speak for those that could relate to Layla. Secrets under the olive tree tells the story of someone who can’t be heard. It’s a public voice to see the beauty in the culture and to get rid of the secrets and lies. The Islamic religion state that women are to be treated equally and this story is a reminder of that. All in all, I would say this is a great read and I would recommend it to anyone.

Unafraid to step outside of the box, Nevien Shaabneh tugs at the strings of our hearts by humanizing her main character, Layla, and allowing her to learn from her trials and tribulations as well as allowing redemption to be emotion in contention. Secrets Under the Olive Tree helps debunk and shed light on the common misconceptions about Islam, Middle Eastern men and women, and the stereotypes that surround them. This novel is unlike any other novel written about Palestine and its beautiful culture. The imagery in this novel is so vivid that it ignited a powerful nostalgia for Palestine, making me feel the late night breeze that brushed against my face as I sat with my family beneath our fig tree. As a female Arab American and teacher of literature, I've been waiting for an author like Nevien Shaabneh to educate our generation and future generations to come through her refreshingly uninhibited, yet modestly courageous and touching message. Secrets Under the Olive Tree is undoubtedly a must read!

Secrets Under the Olive Tree is a moving debut novel written by Palestinian-American writer, teacher, and poet, Nevien Shaabneh. It centers on the life of Layla Anwar, a carefree yet conflicted Palestinian girl born in a village overshadowed by the eyes of a community where judgmental gazes follow a girl's every move; where whispers shuffle from ear to ear; and where a girl's reputation is as delicate as thin glass.Secrets Under the Olive Tree is a work of literary fiction that is wrought with secrets known and those untold, and the first chapter highlights the stain secrets can leave, no matter how deep they are buried. Innocence and naivety plunge Layla into a world where her questions remain unanswered, and it's hoped that the scene she witnessed would simply be forgotten. Despite the wall of silence, Layla's young eyes and mind come to realise why secrets must be kept when she tries to free herself of her own that threaten to further blacken her name - tainted on account of being born the wrong gender.Being the only female amongst three male siblings would usually make any girl feel special, or at least be spoilt by relatives far and close, but Layla was singled out, shunned, and labelled a burden for a crime she remained unaware of ever committing. Journeying from war-torn Palestine to Chicago, cultures and customs remain intact amidst desires to be modern. Layla struggles to find her footing in a home so far from home; and with an abusive father who rarely looks her in the eye, the gentleness of her eldest brother remains her rock.A refreshing and warming aspect of the book was the feature of a religious male character who transcends the stereotypical harsh and grizzly portrayal of men who feel close to their faith. Eiyad, Layla's eldest brother, is gentle, kind, and far from overbearing, yet he isn't perfect. Shaabneh struck a balance between humanity and Islam, and presented them as being mutually inclusive.The theme of honour is heavily featured, with Layla being a scapegoat in a perceived conspiracy that her family name will be smeared. Boys must not be spoken to, must not become friends, and must stay a safe distance unless they're prepared to take a woman's hand in marriage. Yet, boys could do exactly as they pleased with very little fear of reproach as long as misdeeds occurred behind closed doors. Seeing and feeling the injustice both verbally and physically, a tumultuous string of events put Layla's life at risk, and it takes kind souls unafraid of words that linger behind closed doors for her broken pieces to be set aright. Mistakes are made, and hard lessons are learned, and a bittersweet revelation seals the book in a finale that calls for a sequel.This isn't just a story about Layla and her father, but a story about several Arab women, and how cultural norms dictated the way they behaved in public. While the characters are fictional, their sense of loss, despair, and hope reflect a truth so many experience. Moments of heart shattering pain and loss mixed with overwhelming joy are ones readers can relish in, and its themes are those to be discussed in local and wider communities.Touching on socio-political, cultural, and even legal issues surrounding the struggles of traversing displacement, self-worth, acceptance, honour, and love, Secrets Under the Olive Tree does justice to what could have become a book that weighs heavily on a political focus on Palestine.Shaabneh interweaves both historical and Islamic knowledge amongst fiction, leaving the reader free from feeling talked down to. She paints a raw picture of the trials of being born a girl in a patriarchal society, and how walking on eggshells can cause more damage to the self than the society it aims to appease.* LaYinka Sanni wrote this review for the December 2014 issue of SISTERS Magazine.