A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum is an intergenerational story following Isra, a Palestinian immigrant in Brooklyn, and her daughter Deya, who grows up in the same household 18 years later. Isra navigates a difficult life dictated by cultural expectations, marked by domestic duties and abuse, while Deya uncovers long-hidden family secrets, leading her to take control of her destiny. Themes of domestic violence, abuse, and trauma appear throughout the book.

Etaf Rum’s A Woman Is No Man is praised for its poignant and evocative portrayal of Palestinian-American women's struggles across generations. Reviews commend the novel's authentic voice and powerful narrative but note that the pacing occasionally feels slow and some character development lacks depth. Overall, it's an impactful, though imperfect, exploration of cultural and familial pressures.

A reader who would enjoy A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum is likely interested in multicultural narratives, family dynamics, and women's experiences in patriarchal societies. Fans of Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere will appreciate its emotional depth and cultural insights.

Challenging / Emotional / Melancholic / Mysterious

- A Woman Is No Man was inspired by Etaf Rum's personal experiences growing up in a Palestinian-American household, which adds a layer of authenticity to the cultural depictions within the novel.
- Etaf Rum faced considerable backlash from her community after the release of A Woman Is No Man, as some viewed the book's portrayal of Palestinian culture as controversial.
- The novel was chosen as a Read with Jenna book club selection by Jenna Bush Hager for the Today Show in March 2019, significantly boosting its popularity and readership.

**Isra Hadid**  
A 17-year-old Palestinian girl sent to America in an arranged marriage, struggling with cultural expectations and her new life. Her journey explores themes of duty, tradition, and self-discovery.

**Deya**  
Isra's daughter who parallels her mother's age at the start of her story but embarks on a path of resistance against familial and cultural pressure. Her narrative is marked by her quest for truth and independence.

**Fareeda**  
Isra's mother-in-law who embodies traditional Arabic cultural values and struggles with the contradictions of enduring past traumas. Her actions reflect both the perpetuation and critique of those values.

**Sarah**  
Fareeda’s and Khaled’s daughter, who serves as both a rebellious figure and mentor. Her American-influenced perspective shows Deya alternative life paths and professional possibilities.

**Adam**  
Isra's husband who displays brief moments of vulnerability amidst a largely oppressive demeanor. His character explores themes of cultural pressures and personal conflict.

Etaf Rum

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore A Woman Is No Man reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read A Woman Is No Man | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore A Woman Is No Man and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

A Woman Is No Man Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 4

A Woman Is No Man Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

A Woman Is No Man Part 1, Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Part 2, Chapters 9-15

A Woman Is No Man Part 2, Chapters 9-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 16-21

A Woman Is No Man Part 2, Chapters 16-21 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 22-29

A Woman Is No Man Part 2, Chapters 22-29 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 - Part 3

Parts 2-3, Chapters 30-37

A Woman Is No Man Parts 2-3, Chapters 30-37 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Part 3, Chapters 38-45

A Woman Is No Man Part 3, Chapters 38-45 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 46-51

A Woman Is No Man Part 3, Chapters 46-51 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

A Woman Is No Man Character Analysis

theme

Themes

A Woman Is No Man Themes

Symbols & Motifs

A Woman Is No Man Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

A Woman Is No Man Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

A Woman Is No Man Essay Topics

A Woman Is No Man

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read A Woman Is No Man?

Reading Age

Book Details