Gulf follows the intersecting lives of five women whose different backgrounds and personal histories bring them to the Arabian Gulf. Though each woman’s story is distinct, together they form a powerful reflection on displacement, gender, labor, and survival in a region shaped by wealth, migration, and systemic inequality.

At the center of the novel is the Gulf itself. Across the Gulf, we meet Justine, a curator from New York City recruited by the Emirati government to develop a falconry exhibit at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. Her outsider perspective frames much of the novel’s early exploration of cultural heritage and national identity. We also meet Dounia, a wealthy Saudi woman living in Ras al-Khair, who battles postpartum depression in deeply isolating circumstances. Dounia’s narrative becomes entangled with that of Flora, a Filipina domestic worker she hires—and ultimately exploits—under the region’s notorious Kafala System. Last, but not least we meet Eskedare, a young Ethiopian woman who has always felt a bit out of place and is desperate to reconnect with her long lost friend.

The novel also weaves in global events, touching on the Yemeni and Syrian civil wars, the rise of ISIS, and the enduring legacy of colonialism and labor migration in the Gulf. These wider geopolitical forces are not simply backdrops but deeply embedded in the characters’ lived experiences, shaping the constraints and limited choices available to each woman.

What Ogrodnik does exceptionally well is capture the often invisible negotiations women make daily to endure and adapt in spaces dominated by power imbalances whether they be economic, political, or familial. Her writing is both visually evocative and emotionally precise, likely informed by her background as a filmmaker. The pacing is brisk but never rushed; each chapter propels the story forward while maintaining a steady emotional pull.

If there’s a shortcoming, it’s that the novel occasionally feels like it’s reaching for breadth over depth. At times I longed for more critical reflection or psychological depth in some of the characters’ arcs, especially that of Eskedare who felt the least fully-formed of the main characters. Still, even with these moments of brevity, the stories remain compelling. I found it hard to put the book down - not just because of the plot, but because of the atmosphere, tension, and emotional weight each chapter carried.

Overall, this was an unsettling read that was unflinching in its interrogation of privilege and complicity in systemic exploitation. It’s not without flaws, but it is full of emotional resonance.

3.5 stars

Gulf by Mo Ogrodnik is a powerful novel about the lives of five women from very different backgrounds and their experiences living in the Arabian Gulf. It is not an easy read, as it depicts acts and ideologies of gender inequality with no reserve. It shows the incredibly difficult, and sometimes morally gray decisions that these women make, often because they are forced to, not because they want to, as a result of the unfortunate circumstances they are dealt.

The writing in this novel is poetic, which is an incredible feat considering the difficult topics that are covered. And despite the work being fiction, I learned a lot about the lives of those who live in a region of the world that don't get depicted often.

With that being said, I had a hard time connecting with, and being invested in, a couple of the characters. One of the stories is especially confusing and hard to follow because the woman's background is only explored marginally, and it doesn't make sense as to why she goes to the Gulf in the first place (whereas the reason is more clearly laid out for the other women). I also had a hard time understanding the ending of the novel and comprehending what happened to the women (well all but one). And lastly, a random thing I don't really care for is the multiple mentions of urination sprinkled throughout the book... is there a deeper meaning behind it or is it solely for the shock factor?

But all in all, this book is beautifully written and does a remarkable job shedding some light on multiple marginalized groups.

Special thanks to NetGalley and S&S/Summit Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gulf is available now wherever books are sold.

This one could have been two books. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. However, each character is her own and they are remarkable women their own stories. This is not a light read, but a good read that shows the lives of five women living in five different areas, all trying to make their way through life. Through the obstacles and hurdles thrown at them by society and family simply because they're women. I would perhaps have had an easier time reading them as individual short stories rather than bouncing back and forth between characters.

"Five women with vastly different origins—from the Philippines to Ethiopia to New York City—must navigate the difficult but true realities as women, wives, and mothers in the unrelenting landscape of the Arabian Gulf."

Thank you #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC. The jacket does say that "Gulf is a book about cruelty, rebellion, resilience—and hope. It asks the how far would you go in order to survive?"

Debut novel, filled with resilience and the will to survive as women have done for ages. It was a hard read and I walked away with the learning that you do what you have to do to survive. There are no options and choices for some women. Made me appreciate all the creature comforts I have.

3.5 stars rounded to a 4 because of the debut writer.

Gulf is a heartbreaking story tracing the lives of women living in Muslim countries. All of their lives are impacted by regimes who care little about them, from ISIS-controlled areas to richer countries like the UAE.

The stories told in Gulf, although fictional, reflect what women’s lives in these areas are in today’s world. Some of the women are complicit in the oppression, lashing out from their own pain, while others suffer and keep trying to move forward in a system not designed for them. It struck me how much these women endure, and while depressing, it also points to a strength of spirit that exists in women across humanity.

Wow. This book took me a bit to get into, but once I did it was a runaway train. Told from the point of view of five very diverse women, it's a story of privilege, disillusionment, complicity, terror, and, finally, consequences. In Ogrodnik's telling, these disparate things are experienced in varying amounts by pretty much all of the characters. As you may know, I love to read a story about a place I've never been and know very little about (I do read the news, but still), so this one fit the bill perfectly.

(Actual: 4.5⭐, rounded up) A quick, propulsive read following several different women - of varying nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds - as they make their way through and in the Gulf/Middle East, with one of the overarching themes being how [at least, to me anyway] resilient women are and that, regardless of any circumstances life or society may throw our way, we will do whatever we must in order to survive and thrive in this world. I really enjoyed and found the narrative structure of this book to be quite interesting, as well as its use of multiple/alternating POVs (and, technically, timelines). I think Ogrodnik did a stellar job at weaving all of the different plotlines together in really unique, at times subtle, but overall just generally fascinating ways, both big and small. And while I did latch on/relate to some of the women moreso than others, I still left feeling like I got a very well-written & well-developed sense/understanding of who they ALL were as individuals, the struggles they faced, and the journeys they each went on. While there is no shortage of heartbreaking moments in GULF, it also isn't necessarily one that's primarily defined by tragedy or suffering either. This book is great for those who love deep character studies, richly vivid prose, and stories that are ultimately realistic in their portrayal of everyday lives we might otherwise overlook.

This was an intimate, haunting, and engrossing depiction of five women of various nationalities in the Gulf.

Dounia, a young Saudi woman, rejects her family, is disappointed with her life, and takes it out on Flora.

Flora leaves the Philippines to support her daughter, haunted by sadness. Her work overseas is not unheard of among other Filipina workers.

Justine leaves New York for fancy expat life but not only can she not outrun her problems but only complicates them further.

Zeinah, a young Syrian woman, is trying to find herself among a war - and is disappointed by what she finds.

Eskedare, an Ethiopian free spirit, escapes to Abu Dhabi to avoid marriage.

Not every story ends in tragedy and they coalesce in surprising ways. I found myself deeply empathetic to each of the women at various points so it’s a real heart-wringer as the story moves forward. While I’ve only spent a bit of time in the Gulf, my general sense is that the author did an extraordinary job of capturing differences between each location and culture - painting a picture even for those who’ve never traveled there.

A unique perspective of the lives of women not often told. A little tough to get through in some places.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very aptly named, this novel is set in the Gulf and it depicts the gulf of differences between the characters and their opportunities. Heartrending.

Fairly propulsive read, with the exception of Justine, whose pov I couldn’t get in to. Would have liked to read a more cohesive connection between the women. The endings were abrupt. It was memorable but not a book I think I’ll recommend.

Disturbing in all the right ways. In all places and all situations, a woman must do whatever she can to survive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC to read and review.

*****3.5*****
I learned a lot from this book, and it's beautifully written. I like the structure of 5 different points of view and one of them being in the present and moving forward while the rest are in the past. It was interesting to follow along.
I learned about the Yemeni Civil War and that Filipina women work as maids in the Persian Gulf region to send money back to their families. I also learned more about the Syrian conflict and ISIS than I ever knew before, and I learned about the all-women brigades that helped enforce Sharia law. I also learned something more about falconry and a decent amount about Abu Dhabi that I didn't know before. I like the 5 stories about women and their various experiences, backstories, struggles, and traumas. I also really like the endings of each section except one. The ending of the book is, for me, perfect and very strong, evoking a lot of emotion and tying back to themes throughout the whole novel.
For me, the book contains two points of view that lessen the impact on me and therefore my rating. Otherwise, in style, structure, writing, and depth, it is a five-star book.
Overall, I recommend this book if you like stories with multiple points of view that take place in a part of the world that Americans don't always know a lot about and if you like stories about women and their resilience or lack thereof to the culture around them and its demands.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-book for this review.

It was a good book but the ending was very abrupt. Left no resolution in the stories and made me wonder what came next. It just didn’t feel satisfying after all of the buildup in the story. I loved how different characters in intertwined, and how their paths frequently crossed, but I didn’t understand Zeinah’s purpose, as she didn’t meet or appear in any other woman’s story. I enjoyed each character’s arc, I’m just left wondering at the what the point of it all was?

An interesting portrait of several women whose stories come together through geography and circumstance. There were some temporal pieces I struggled to follow in terms of plot but a rich character study.

GULF by Mo Ogrodnik is a stunning, unforgettable read featuring diverse, deeply developed characters whose lives entangle and influence one another in unpredictable and fascinating ways. I deeply enjoyed the settings and the way the author wove them together, somehow keeping the voices so very distinct. I couldn't say that I had a favorite character as usually happens with multi-dimensional stories, but this one was so compelling, so keep-me-up-too-late reading that I never wanted to leave the world Ogrodnik created. A fantastic read for book clubs seeking deep, thought-provoking discussion. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

This book. This book!!!

I was nervous going into it thanks to the large number of POVs, but I found it so easy to keep track of everyone. The chapters are short, and each character is so unique, even with their shared experiences and difficulties. The way their stories wove together was nothing short of perfect. The settings also deserve a mention considering the incredible detail that went into the descriptions; it enhanced an already amazing novel.

Gulf is a fantastic book. I will be recommending it to everyone I know and making it my pick for my book club. This is certainly a book that will leave you thinking long after you finish.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

P.S. I'm obsessed with the cover.

Gulf is a captivating story that explores identity and connection against a compelling coastal backdrop. The writing is vivid, and the characters feel authentic, drawing you into their journeys. A few moments may feel a bit rushed, but overall, it’s a well crafted and engaging reads. Ideal for readers who enjoy thoughtful, character driven narratives with a hint of adventure.

Reading Gulf by Mo Ogrodnik was an eye-opening and emotional experience. I was drawn in by the stories of Dounia, Flora, Zeinah, Justine, and Eskedare—five women from vastly different backgrounds whose lives collide in the Arabian Gulf. Ogrodnik's writing is powerful, and each character's voice feels so authentic that I couldn’t help but become deeply invested in their struggles and resilience.

I loved how the novel captured the complexity of culture, power, and survival without ever feeling preachy. It doesn’t shy away from difficult truths but instead brings them to light with sensitivity and depth. At times, the narrative jumped between characters a bit abruptly, which made it slightly challenging to keep track, but once I settled into the rhythm, I was fully immersed.

What struck me most was how Gulf gave a voice to women whose stories are often overlooked, making me reflect on the hidden struggles people face beneath the surface. It’s a novel that lingers long after the last page, making me appreciate the strength of women who endure so much, often in silence.

If you’re looking for a book that offers a fresh, honest perspective and makes you think about the world differently, Gulf is absolutely worth your time.

I liked the author’s writing style, I just wish that the chapters were longer and didn’t switch around every so often. This book held my interest on and off. It was interesting to read something that takes place in that part of the world. At times this book was very disturbing as well. I would recommend this book to a book club.