Evil Eye: A Novel

by Etaf Rum

“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 The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of A Woman Is No Man returns with a striking exploration of the expectations of a Palestinian-American woman, the meaning of a fulfilling life, and the ways our unresolved pasts affect our presents. "After Yara is placed on probation at work for fighting with a racist coworker, her Palestinian mother claims the provocation and all that’s come after were the result of a family curse. While Yara doesn’t believe in old superstitions, she finds herself unpacking her strict, often volatile childhood growing up in Brooklyn, looking for clues as to why she feels so unfulfilled in a life her mother could only dream of. Etaf Rum’s follow-up to her 2019 debut , A Woman Is No Man , is a complicated mother-daughter drama that looks at the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma and what it takes to break the cycle of abuse." — Time magazine, "The Most Anticipated Books of the Year"

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Audiobook, Mental Health, Book Club, Adult

Audible Audio

First published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an absolute stunner of a novel that could not be more relevant to our times. Evil Eye follows Yara, a Palestinian American woman who grew up in a conservative and emotionally tumultuous family in Brooklyn, New York. Flash forward and she’s working at a local university teaching art, while at the same time raising her two school-aged daughters and doing the majority of the household chores while her husband focuses on his job. Yara is discontent with the makeup of her life, however, it’s not until she responds to a racist comment made by one of her coworkers that her emotions of disappointment and despair start to fester to a boiling point. Yara begins seeing a therapist and the difficult journey of unpacking her memories that are so dreadfully shaking her to her core.

I loved this book. Loved it. First, Etaf Rum’s writing is immaculate. Not flashy, and so compulsively readable and so clear and concise. The prose didn’t get in the way of the story and in fact conveyed Yara’s emotional state with immense clarity and heart – her post-traumatic stress disorder, her depression and anxiety, and all the intergenerational and present-day racism and sexism that contributed to her mental health. I flew through about 200 pages of this novel last night because I felt so invested in Yara, and Rum’s writing, similar to her debut A Woman is No Man , was enthralling in its simple effectiveness.

The depiction of mental health in this novel got me floored. I was shaking, and by the end I was in near tears too! The way Rum described intergenerational trauma and how Yara’s mother was both a victim of and perpetrator of abuse, whew I was emotional. And Yara’s long, arduous journey of learning how to stop blaming herself for other people’s mistreatment of her, of opening up to her friend Silas and her therapist(s), and of starting to actually sit with the physical sensations of her body and self-regulate all made me both devastated and proud of her. Even writing this review makes tears come to my eyes because as a PTSD survivor Yara’s fight for her life is relatable to me, though of course we come from different backgrounds even though we share immigrant parents displaced by war.

All in all, one of my top books of this year and that I’ve read in my life. Rum does such a fantastic job of portraying the micro and macroaggression Yara experiences, as well as her use of journaling and coming into her own voice to heal. Yara’s friendship with Silas and how friendship acts as a conduit for Yara’s healing, increased self-compassion, and learning to open up to other people had me near tears. Also, the portrayals of therapy were excellent, top-notch, so thoughtfully written without sacrificing either the momentum of the plot or what therapy actually looks like. Etaf Rum, you have my whole heart!

Also, this book came out in March of this year (2023), and unfortunately is so relevant. In the novel Yara’s grandparents were displaced from Palestine by Israel’s colonial oppression, which is literally what is happening right now. Here are some actions you can take to advocate for a ceasefire. While it’s already way too late for thousands of people, we need to take action to *prevent* intergenerational trauma, not just provide care for people after the trauma happens. You can also read The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Jewish historian Ilan Pappe if you want to educate yourself on the matter. I’m appreciative of Rum for speaking out about this on her café’s Instagram. FYI, if you leave an oppressive remark about my pro-Palestine, anti-genocide stance in the comments, that’s whatever, I probably just won’t reply. Anyway, this book was spectacular and I don’t want to divert from that, I just felt it’d be disingenuous not to comment on the genocide happening in Palestine now.

[johnny ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES GIRL LEAVE HIS ASS. GET HIM!!

[Corey Merrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Etaf Rum's first book, A Woman is No Man (4.5 stars!), so I was very excited to read this one. Unfortunately, the best part of this book was the cover (which I love). The book itself was disappointing. It was so repetitive, the writing and overall execution was simplistic and lacking in nuance, and it was just a slog. You knew exactly where the book was heading, and you get there eventually, but only after lots and lots of agony and anguish that is on repeat for pretty much every single page. I hate to say it, but I was glad when it was over so I could move onto something else!

[Megan Strang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember loving Etaf Rum’s first novel even though I couldn’t tell you what it was about all these years later!!

In Evil Eye, Yara Murad is a Palestinian-American woman who in many ways has defied her culture by obtaining a masters degree and having a career while also raising her children and taking care of her home and husband. Yet she still doesn’t feel free and struggles with anger, depression, and anxiety. After an incident at work, Yara is forced to reckon with her past trauma and present circumstances to determine what she wants for hers and her daughters’ futures.

Not a lot happens in this book plot-wise, it’s very much like reading Yara’s inner monologue as she navigates her culture, marriage, and motherhood. but Rum’s writing is very approachable and engaging and you want to know how it will end. This is a great pick if you are interested in other cultures, especially Palestinian culture, which is so underrepresented in Western literature. If you’re drawn to quiet fiction that focuses on family life and the inner lives of people, this is a fantastic selection from an authentic author.

[fadheela ♡ (I'm back!!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⤿🧿 13/04/25
5 stars 💫

I'm writing a review immediately for once, as I can't hold back my thoughts that are rushing in like waves after reading this book. To start off, this book had been in my tbr for a long time. Seeing the cover itself had intimidated & intrigued me. But thanks to my bestie lilyya, we decided to tackle this book by buddy reading it 😌🙌🏻 I don't know what I expected going into this book blindly without even reading the synopsis, because I like the element of getting surprised in every books I read. But I did know this book would be hitting home really hard.

We meet Yara, a young Palestinian-American mother of two kids, struggling to keep her wits together amidst war within herself. The generational trauma cycle she was experiencing was not something to be taken lightly. I loved how the author showcased every tiny teeny details of what was happening to Yara, of her traumatic childhood; her parents fighting with each other and how it impacted her as a child; of her husband Fadi manipulating her always, pretending he is the victim and trying to shift the blame on her whenever she voiced her feelings. It literally made my blood boil whenever Fadi dismissed her feelings and was only on about him. He was so pathetic, self-obsessed, and manipulative. Even though he never abused her physically, he did it mentally with his words. There were moments I wanted to shove him out of a tallest tower, and watch him fall to death. Eventually, I felt like a proud mom, watching Yara finally coming into the realisation that she can't keep doing this to herself and deciding to go into therapy as much as she despises it. Because going to therapy and opening up to a stranger is not easy as it sounds. She broke the generational trauma for her two daughters 🥺❤️‍🩹

I also loved how the author included Yara's journal entries as part of her healing journey, because we get to know her intimately as a person with feelings. There were times when this book felt too much for me, it was depressing as hell. Because a part of me could relate to so many things. Everyone has some kind of inner wounds that they won't admit, or rather would never want the world to see. And that's why we all turn the direction of our feelings to focus on something else. It's like a coping mechanism. Sometimes, we paint or journal our feelings or maybe reorganise our home. Sometimes, we simply wish to escape into a different world through a book, anywhere but this real world. And this book made me realise why I love being a reader 🤍

Also to note, a person getting an evil eye is something I do believe in personally, but not the superstitions like throwing a pinch of salt over your left shoulder to protect yourself, or that a jinn would possess you if you see a black cat in the eye. Those are just myths that the society created.

I literally can't wait to read A Woman is No Man by the author next when I get the time!🥰


ˏˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

⤿🧿 12/04/25
checking off this month with a book that has been intimidating me for so long!😌 Buddy reading with lilyya gorg 🥰💙

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read EVIL EYE by Etaf Rum and I’m glad I read it but in the end I just didn’t love it.
.
What I liked:
- the representation: the main character Yara is a young mother, daughter of Palestinian immigrants, dealing with childhood trauma, grief and mental illnesses
- Writing structure that included Yara’s journals which are written in second person

What I didn’t like:
- the slow pace which made the book drag on a touch
- Repetitive throughout as Yara deals with the same things over and over, there was one part where Yara fights with her husband and then the very next scene is Yara describing the fight to her therapist

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

before closing this masterpiece, i thought my review would have to be articulated in a more personal and intimate manner than i’m usually inclined to write. growing up in a mediterranean culture meant being steeped in the Evil Eye belief, so much so that i was almost certain i’d see parts of myself mirrored in the main character. to my surprise, that assumption turned out to be somewhat misguided. our resemblance halted at the surface. Yara, nearly thirty, americo-palestinian, simply struggled in a way that was uniquely her own. yet still, it reflected the quotidian struggles of many other women.

we were entrained into a journey to witness her attempt to break through the generational curse passed down by her mother. and yet, by the end, a single question still lingered: was it truly a curse? the healing odyssey she embarked was tumultuous to say the least. watching her sink six feet under only to resurface and breathe new life into the self she had long dreamed of becoming was hauntingly powerful. a marriage in quiet collapse, the fear of her daughters inheriting the weight of her own childhood trauma, her career and passion slowly slipping through her grasp.

what struck me most was how the author, unlassably and with such intentionality, emphasized that the confinement and subtle forms of oppression Yara endured—both in her childhood home and within her marriage—stemmed from cultural expectations rather than religious doctrine. the storytelling was recounted through two distinct narratives: one told from Yara’s present-day perspective, the other shaped by the ink of her journal, brimming with fragments from palestine, her grandmother’s ghost, the bitter taste of formative memories. it offered not only a window into her pain, but also a blueprint for her healing.

[Mary Fabrizio]

Way. Too. Much. Ruminating.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author, and while I loved the ideas here, the execution was poor, in my opinion.

We are following Yara and her mental health journey. She's the daughter of Palestinian parents. She's married to Fadi and has two daughters. She's an art teacher, a photographer and boy does she whine.

I'm here for all books looking at female mental health, generational trauma, and cultural stereotypes, especially with Middle Eastern heritage, but this book did nothing but double down on those stereotypes, in my opinion.

Yara is a textbook case of everything men say we are. She hurt my eyes to read about.

This reads like YA, which it's not as our characters are adults. It's also simplifying very complex issues. It felt basic, without depth, and the only emotion I felt while reading it was annoyance.

Two stars.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Stayed up all night to finish it.

Thought of my own mom the whole time - Yara and my mom had a lot of similar crossroads. Yara made choices I wish so many women could too.

The story was told at the right pace and with well developed characters, with childhoods overlapping a lot of familiarity with my own immigrant experiences that made the story feel even more authentic.

[Sim Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember the last time I stayed up late to finish a book. This one, I finished at 3:47AM. I don’t think I’ve ever read such a good portrayal of how relationships can be traumatic and toxic in subtle ways. Just because you aren’t being yelled at or hit doesn’t mean you aren’t being emotionally abused and gaslit. This is a quiet novel, where not much happens, but I experienced it as an un-put-downable psychological thriller. I just had to know what Yara would do next. Brilliany observed and powerfully written!

[Danielle | Dogmombookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVIL EYE |

Thank you @harperbooks for this much anticipated read! This comes out in September!

I absolutely loved A WOMAN IS NO MAN. It was one of my favorite reads of the year. While it was a heartbreaking novel, it felt so redeeming and full of light and hope.

EVIL EYE feels heavier, darker. As a reader, it felt like there were a lot of repeated scenes, dialogue and similar patterns of emotions. You're hoping for Yara, our MC, to make an important, life-changing, and revealing (to us the readers) discovery, but it takes time. Like life.

For Yara, who's pent up so much trauma, both lived and inherited, she's further isolated from a family that doesn't know or want to support her, who haven't had to figure out how to support her in the role that she's expected to play. She feels very much alone and stranded

There's also the fact that Yara and her family are rootless, having been ripped apart from their homeland as Palestinians. She has no homeland.

But Yara comes to realize that she needs to break the cycle or else it will continue on, with her daughters.

I am not a mother. Maybe one day I will be, and these are things that I would be very much afraid of, passing on my worst traits, my actions and whatever unsorted issues that I don't even want to have surface for me to see them at eye-level.

But Yara's situation is very real, very scary in how isolated she feels, and very heart-breaking in that I can see some scenarios where she doesn't make it out, because she doesn't have a friend, or there is no outreach, or she talks herself out of needing and deserving it.

It's a tender read that I hope finds a soft landing out in the world
4.5

[Connie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yara was the American-born daughter of Palestinian immigrants whose childhood trauma haunts her. She was able to obtain a college education after her arranged marriage and she loves her two daughters, but she feels like something is missing in her life. It takes therapy and journaling about her family history for her to work out how the generational trauma in her family, and the lifelong expectation of female obedience were contributing to mental health issues.

This was an interesting look into both Palestinian culture and mental health. However, there was quite a bit of repetition about her family and her counseling sessions. 3.5 stars.

[Susan Kay - on semihiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a good story. It was interesting to read from the view of a Palestinian woman, waging an internal battle with the cultural norms and expectations. This really reminded me a lot of the nonfiction book What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma. Going through therapy and beginning to heal from things you can't even begin to understand is relatable. I did think some of the stereotypes were a little too heavy handed at times, but I appreciated Yara's journey throughout. 3.5 ⭐.

[Rana Najjar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never anticipated disliking this book. I was so looking forward to it I'm disappointed now.
It's just a series of arguments between a married couple.

[Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel by Etaf Rum, particularly my first by them, felt like a beautiful story of human exploration. The novel follows Yara, a wife with two kids, approaching 30. Her family, which quickly received an introduction are from a Palestinian background. As Yara introduces them to us, the words seem to flow from the paper to one’s heart, as Rum’s delicate and intricate wording makes Yara’s story far more interesting and delicate. It almost feels as if we, as readers, are helping Yara guide herself through her world of trauma and verbal abuse. Every moment was either heartbreakingly and devastatingly sad, or extremely thrilling. At the beginning of the novel, it seems as if Rum might take a slower approach to the class story of a character, simply breaking through their normal boundaries, but Rum actively creates a touching novel that elevates itself from others surrounding it. You might ask, how does Rum do this? It’s simple – using such a powerful cultural aspect makes it even more powerful.

Rum’s exploration of cultural identity is powerful enough to make us, as readers, feel as if we are powerful enough to break through society’s deadly bonds.

[le.lyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Es kam ihr vor, als wäre ihr Körper das Meer und die Gefühle kämen und ging, wie Ebbe und Flut. Die Aufgabe bestand darin, sich nicht von der Strömung fortziehen zu lassen.“🌊

Dieses Buch fällt in die Kategorie: Did I finish the book or did the Book finish me🥲

In „Evil Eye“ begleiten wir Yara, die sich immer mehr vom Leben erhofft hat, ihre Wünsche aber unterdrückt, da es ihr so beigebracht worden ist. „Du hast ein Dach über den Kopf, Essen auf dem Tisch und einen Mann, der dich nicht schlägt. Merkst du nicht, wie privilegiert du bist?“ - Das ist, was Yara sich tagtäglich anhören muss. Während sie komplett unglücklich in ihrem Leben gefangen ist, entwickelt sie zusätzlich noch eine Angststörung und Depressionen. Trotz allem gibt Yara jeden Tag ihr bestes (was leider niemand schätzt).

Yara ist der rohste, ehrlichste und gutherzigste Charakter, den ich jemals gelesen habe. Sie lässt ganz tief Blicken und spricht Dinge aus, die man nachvollziehen kann, sich aber niemals trauen würde laut auszusprechen. Yaras Charakterentwicklung über das Buch zu verfolgen, hat mich ganz doll berührt, da ich mich oft in ihr wiedergefunden habe und ich werde sie noch lange in meinem Herzen tragen.❤️

4,5/5🌟 Für alle, die aus alten Verhaltensmustern ausbrechen möchten, die sich noch nicht trauen Hilfe anzunehmen und mutig sein wollen.

[farahxreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I can objectively appreciate the issues this book raises, Evil Eye by Etaf Rum, a story of a Palestinian-American woman navigating the murky waters of identity, alienation and childhood trauma, was unfortunately a massive letdown.

What I liked about Evil Eye was parts of the novel shines with realism and conviction, particularly when it depicts Yara’s non-linear recovery process from her childhood trauma and her desire to break free from the confining expectations imposed by the men in her life. Her anxiety and indecision were quite all-encompassing that I couldn’t help but sympathise with her inability to make peace with her past, as the lack of a support system barred her from moving forward. However, these glimpses of potential are derailed by the overall quality of the writing, which was immensely simplistic and lacking in nuance.

The primary issue I had with the book was how painfully dull, repetitive and superficial everything was. The plot essentially consisted of Yara cooking — Yara being anxious — Yara fighting with her husband — repeat. And the dialogue — god, the dialogue was very cartoonish, I almost had a nightmare because of it. Additionally, the author’s attempt to integrate Palestinian culture and history into the text was incredibly repetitive to the point of absurdity. For example, every dish prepared by Yara in this book were all Palestinian meals and despite having lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years, she has never had southern cuisine. It doesn't make any sense. Fairuz, the Lebanese singer was mentioned eight times in the book.

Ultimately, what made me absolutely lost interest in the book was the black and white, almost overly generalized depiction of Arabs, which was potentially harmful and stereotypical in my opinion. Every Arab male character here was either extremely toxic, abusive, or intolerant, while the women are portrayed as docile and repressed. I applaud Etaf Rum’s courage in addressing misogyny and patriarchy within the Arab community but she made it seemed like these were unique and distinct Arab traits. There were also some weird lines that got under my skin, such as “mental health care is stigmatised in our community,” or “you’re one of the most independent Arab women I know.” Just ugh. Nope. I can’t.

I am obviously in the minority here so don’t let my review sway you. However, because I am very petty and really, really did not like this book, I would recommend reading Behind You is the Sea (Susan Muaddi Darraj) or The Beauty of Your Face (Sahar Mustafah) instead for a better and more nuanced portrayal of Arab and Palestinian communities in the US diaspora.

Thank you Times Reads for the gifted copy. I really appreciate it.

[Alexis Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started as a 2.5 and then ended as a 4. It took me about 100 pages to really start to appreciate the narrator's omniscience, because it felt weirdly stilted. It isn't until the end (and maybe even in reading the author's bio) that I realized this may be intentional.

The story centers on a woman of color, first generation, who feels uncomfortable in her body and in her life. It isn't until she begins journaling that she starts to really connect with herself, and I think the piece is written to reflect that. We as the reader can travel alongside Yara on her journey of self-discovery. For me, I ultimately ended up cheering her final 50 pages whereas initially I was painfully slogging through her inner monologue. And that seems precisely the point.

[Kristen (kraysbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to preface this by saying that I LOVED A Woman is No Man! Loved it. This was just so damn repetitive and such a slog. There was so much whining that I wanted to rip my head off. “I want to go on a trip! We can’t right now. Can we go on a trip?! Still no. Are you surprising me with a trip!!! NOOOO!” There was no depth to this story at all. The only thing that had substance was the storyline from the past. But even that wasn’t dealt with in depth in the present. Ugh.

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best feminist novels I have read in years. Etaf Rum is a treasure. Someone who welds compassion and courage like this is rare.

This book is difficult to read. You wonder if there is any respite. And yet, Rum fills me with hope.

[Emily Coffee and Commentary · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOYjNXMjW...

A heartfelt novel on self acceptance, breaking generational cycles, and processing grief. Evil Eye is a meditative work which navigates the nuances between culture, motherhood, marriage, and expectations, both from strangers and the ones closest to us. It is a work that ripples with the effects of displacement, trauma, and anger, which simmer over time and influence the ideas of what makes a good partnership, what makes a home, what words are worth being spoken, being shared. An effective look into the isolation and frustration that depression and lack of fulfillment brings into the heart, this novel also looks at the mirror between emotion and expression, both artistically and with others; our memories make waves in our art, our narratives, our decisions, and how we confront our losses and hurts pave a way for where we go, what we show to the world. Timely and relatable, this is a novel that heals as well as exposes all of the times we have been made to feel small and encouraged to keep quiet, and offers a nuanced glimpse into contemporary Palestinian literature.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

"Her Palestinian nationality had been erased by Israel, and here in America, her Middle Eastern identity was erased too."

"It was like her body was an ocean, and these feelings would always come and go like tides."

It's such an amazing read. You definitely need to be in the right headspace for this book. It's a tough read but an honest read. Millions of women are dealing with what Yara is dealing with. It's a realistic look at how the world tries to break women's spirits and then blames women for it.

Ladies, you are enough and never let anyone, especially a man, make you feel like you aren't.

A must-read!

[Mai H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

$4.99 @ Libro.fm

[Gigi Ropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think Etaf Rum could surpass the excellence of A Woman is No Man, but she did. Evil Eye is at once heartwrenching and inspiring. In a culture that places women within very limited roles, Yara fights for herself in a way that comes across as relatable and also surprising. A true triumph!

[Dakota Bossard · Rating 2 out of 5]

repetitive, superficial, predictable, and all in a pretty irksome writing style

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having loved A Woman is No Man, I definitely expected to like this but I ended up really hating it. It’s basically just a traumatized, unhappy, unappreciated, unfulfilled woman’s miserable internal thoughts for 340 pages. So repetitive and not particularly original. I’m glad to be done with it.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman who shifted from Palestine after marriage. This is the story from her perspective - how she’s dealing with loneliness, insecurities, mental health being someone who wants to break free from all the restrictions forced upon women.

I love the complexity of this story with characters hurt because of patriarchy and multigenerational differences. I feel the main character is suffering from PTSD because of really bad history of domestic violence.

I just hated the male characters. I love the other side characters. I love how the writing explores the complex emotions and complicated dynamics of the strained relationships between the characters.

I am hurt and I am terrified. Yet I will make sure people I love read this book so they understand how it is living with narcissistic manipulative people and what we can do about it even though taking real care of ourselves (women) is still a taboo.

[Amy Biggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tgft — thank god for therapy

[Taylor Franson-Thiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 rounded up. I have a feeling I’m going to be in the minority here (actually I hope I am). I loved Rum’s debut novel and had high hopes for this which is maybe what tripped me up.

The story is an important one, and very culturally relevant in so many ways. I just couldn’t get into the narration style and slow pace. Although it definitely picked up by the end. I wish there had been more of that through our.

For people who prefer slower paces novels where most of the book is centered on the narrators thoughts, this is for you. And I respect Rum’s writing enough to pick up any future novel she writes.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t as engaging for me. I was bored through the beginning and failed to take an interest in the main characters misery. If more plot had occurred I think I would have been engaged because I enjoy learning about the intersection between race and gender through Rum’s eyes (as I did in her first book).

I feel like overall this was a book about an unhappy woman talking about how unhappy she was over and over. The repetitive nature caused me to wonder if I had accidentally flipped to a page I’d already read. But like I said, it got better.

Again, I love Rum’s writing and her message. Just not the style of narration.