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.

Thanks to Summit Books for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.

This a collection of stories about women from disparate backgrounds who find themselves in the Middle East. One woman is a professor working on an exhibit for a museum, one is a pregnant woman who doesn't want to be a mother, one is a woman from the Philippines who suffered a great tragedy and is brought to the Gulf as a maid, one is a young woman married off to an ISIS fighter and the last is an Ethiopian girl trying to escape an arranged marriage.

These women all suffer immense heartbreaks and the weight of the expectations of their gender is oppressive. The chapters are short and alternate but they immerse you in each story so quickly and so deeply. Some of the stories eventually intersect but they all carry the ache of desire for a life other than the one they have and little recourse to change it. I would warn that you should read with care, there are some very heavy moments throughout.

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.

“Gulf” is an intense, beautifully written debut that shines an unflinching light on the hidden lives of women in the Arabian Gulf. Mo Ogrodnik skillfully brings together five women from vastly different backgrounds, each struggling to carve out their place in a world that often denies them control over their own lives. The interconnected narratives reveal a tapestry of cruelty, rebellion, resilience, and above all—hope.

Ogrodnik’s writing is both cinematic and heartbreaking. She captures the emotional weight of each woman’s experience without ever veering into melodrama. The short, alternating chapters keep the pace brisk, yet the depth of the characters makes their stories linger long after the final page.

Though some sections are undeniably bleak and difficult to read, that’s part of what makes “Gulf” so impactful. It forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about privilege, oppression, and survival in a region often romanticized for its wealth and modernity.

If I had one critique, it’s that the relentless heaviness can make the book feel emotionally exhausting at times. Still, this is a necessary, thought-provoking read that offers no easy answers—only raw, honest storytelling that leaves you changed.

Highly recommended for readers looking for a powerful, eye-opening novel that gives voice to stories too often silenced.

Gulf by Mo Ogrodnik was a captivating and well written story.
This book had me hooked from the beginning. It is a compelling debut.
This book was such an unexpected treat.
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

🏜 Gulf by Mo Ogrodnik released on May 6th, 2025, is a very apt name for this thought-provoking and hard-hitting novel. Set in the UAE, the title initially points to the region itself, but as the story unfolds, the word Gulf takes on a much deeper meaning. It represents the vast divides explored in this book: between cultures, between social classes, between women, between mothers and children, between the usurped and the usurper. The reader is left to consider which of these gulfs is the most painful, the most unjust.

The novel centers on five fierce women, each fighting for her freedom and agency. They come from different countries, and their paths converge in unexpected, often heartbreaking ways. Their journeys are not easy, and certainly not without peril but what connects them all is resilience. A relentless will to survive.🏜

🛺This was not an easy book to read. As an Indian, I’m familiar with the labor conditions in the Gulf, and some of the cruelty portrayed here is devastating, yet not unfamiliar. The novel doesn’t shy away from depicting these hard truths and it goes even further. Even the morally grey characters are shaped by systems that deny them agency. These women do what they must to survive. So the question remains: why do these gulfs exist in the first place? Aren’t we all human beings? Is it just about power, or something deeper?🛺

A deeply unsettling, powerful read that challenges and lingers long after the last page.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the copy.

CW: This novel contains disturbing content related to abuse, exploitation, and systemic violence, and postpartum depression. Please read with care.