Book Review: A Year on the Abyss of Genocide by Mahmoud Al-Shaer

A Poignant Chronicle of Resilience Amidst Unimaginable Suffering
Mahmoud Al-Shaer’s A Year on the Abyss of Genocide is a powerful and deeply moving work that captures the harrowing experiences of life in Gaza during a year marked by conflict and devastation. Through a blend of poetry, personal narrative, and historical context, Al-Shaer brings to life the voices and stories of those who endured unimaginable hardship, offering readers a glimpse into the human cost of war and the enduring spirit of a people caught in its midst.

Key Strengths
-Emotional Resonance: Al-Shaer’s writing is evocative and deeply moving, capturing the emotional toll of living through genocide and conflict.
-Historical Context: The book provides a valuable historical record, documenting the events and experiences of a particular time and place.
-Personal Insight: As a poet and curator, Al-Shaer brings a unique perspective to the narrative, weaving together personal reflection with broader historical analysis.

Potential Considerations
-Emotional Intensity: The content is deeply distressing, and some readers may find it emotionally challenging to engage with the material.
-Contextual Knowledge: Readers unfamiliar with the historical and political context of Gaza may benefit from additional background information to fully appreciate the nuances of the narrative.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A heart-wrenching testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure.
-Historical Significance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The book serves as a vital historical document, capturing a critical moment in time.
-Literary Merit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Al-Shaer’s prose is lyrical and impactful, though some sections may feel more like documentation than traditional literature.
-Overall Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – While powerful, the content may be challenging for some readers due to its intense subject matter.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A year of suffering distilled into words that echo with humanity.

Ideal Audience
-Readers interested in contemporary history, particularly the experiences of those living in conflict zones.
-Those who appreciate poetry and personal narratives as a means of understanding complex historical events.
-Anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the human impact of genocide and conflict.

Gratitude
-Thank you to NetGalley and Mahmoud Al-Shaer for the advance review copy. A Year on the Abyss of Genocide is a profoundly important work that sheds light on a critical and often overlooked aspect of contemporary history.

Note: Review based on an ARC; minor refinements may appear in the final edition.

I teared up several times while reading this gauging, beautiful piece of work.
Mahmoud uses simple phrasing and descriptions to dig deep into your heart and gut to get his point across, which he does.
The genocide in Gaza is a horrid, disgusting show of power from world leaders and work like this reminds us, time and time again, that it's not just something we watch on our phones-It's real people dying and suffering. It needs to end. This collection tells us softly but pleadingly that it HAS to end. There is no other way.
Please, please read this.