1949, a young Palestinian woman is captured by Israeli soldiers, raped and killed; decades later a young Palestinian woman comes across this footnote of history and is drawn into finding out more.

I’m not going to lie, this is not a fun read, neither in content nor in writing style, but it is certainly affecting. Part one, told from the POV of an unnamed Israeli soldier, is extremely impersonal, which was difficult to read. That said, it was effective in reflecting the potentially faceless nature of a group of soldiers, the ease of hiding behind a uniform (it brings to mind the infamous prisoner/prison guard psychology experiment). There was also a certain universality to it - aside from some references, this could be a group of male soldiers in any conflict, at any time. Part two was very different, though also difficult to read, with a stream-of-consciousness feel, claustrophobic and a bit neurotic, reflecting the cumulative impact of a whole life lived under occupation, subject to extreme restrictions. Shibli’s ability to write in two such radically different styles is impressive and impactful - this book has stayed with me since I read this in December, thanks in no small part to the ending. A tough and affecting read which brings into focus the realities of life in Palestine and the weight of history, but also those “minor details” of war and occupation which are universally commonplace yet dispassionately relegated to the footnotes of history (if remembered at all).