Behind You Is the Sea

“In this episodic debut novel, Darraj portrays the joys, resentments, and yearnings of three generations of a tight-knit Palestinian American community. . . . Marvelous and moving.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Their homeland casts a heavy shadow in this poignant novel about Baltimore’s Palestinian immigrant community. Taken from a famous saying by legendary commander Tariq ibn Zayid, the title of Darraj’s novel aptly describes the situation facing her ensemble cast, which finds itself trapped between Old World expectations and the challenges of life in America. . . . [Stories are] masterfully choreographed in a book in which each chapter reads like a small masterpiece. . . . A moving portrait of Palestinian families caught between the pressures of the Old World and the New.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“If you want to know the challenges that Palestinian Americans face in the U.S., you must read this book. [Behind You Is the Sea] follows several families in Baltimore as they wrestle with poverty, religion, living in between two cultures and their pursuit of the American Dream. . . . How their lives intersect will leave you at the edge of your seat.” — NPR

“Draws a composite portrait of Palestinian American families with sensitivity and humor … breaking down stereotypes and embracing complexity.” — New York Times

“Muaddi Darraj brilliantly depicts complex characters reckoning with the costs of holding tightly to their principles. This is a beautiful portrait of a family reaching for their dreams while holding onto their roots.” — Publishers Weekly

“Mainstream media has a way of curating images, shaping the narratives of people and nations. . . . Rarely are Arabic-speaking people portrayed with much nuance or depth. Which is, in part, what makes Behind You Is the Sea such an important work: Its characters come to life, transcending politics, breaking through preconceptions and stereotypes, speaking clearly and lucidly about their uniquely human experiences.…Neither angels nor devils, these characters are portrayed in all their complicated, charming, aggravating, bewitching glory. They are human, and as such, they are us.” — Washington Post

“Darraj writes with great emotional resonance about hope and disappointment.” — New Yorker

“This gorgeous debut, an intergenerational novel-in-stories following three Palestinian-American families in Baltimore, navigates a tricky balance beam: It’s a zoomed-in family drama that simultaneously captures wide-lens truths about cultural differences; the weight of history; and the myriad manifestations of love.” — Elle

“[Behind You Is the Sea] is a shimmering composite portrait of a Palestinian American community in Baltimore. Across nine stellar linked stories, [Darraj] explores the complex relationships between characters divided by—or connected despite—class, language, and traditional values. . . . Darraj depicts the variety of immigrant and second-generation experience (especially women’s), probing cultural and generational differences in a sensitive, life-affirming way. This compassionate novel-in-stories, set in a Palestinian American community, prioritizes the experiences of young women, and explores class and cultural divides that surround three families.” — Shelf Awareness

“[Muaddi Darraj] has written a rich, complex, and moving immigrant story with a beautifully-rendered ensemble cast.” — Literary Hub

“In award-winning author Susan Muaddi Darraj’s debut novel, warmth and humor animate a lively cast of Palestinian American characters who’ve made a home in Baltimore.” — San Francisco Chronicle

“Lively and enlightening.” — People

“A nuanced, eye-opening novel full of compelling characters.” — Book Riot

“Told through the perspectives of an interwoven group of protagonists, each chapter stands on its own as an engaging, at times funny, at times revelatory and poignant short story. As the book evolves, the elegant pieces form a mosaic, revealing a unique and diverse community that, while sharing universal U.S. immigrant experiences, also defies stereotypes. Behind You Is the Sea should be on fiction readers’ shortlist for 2024.” — Baltimore Magazine

“Behind You Is the Sea not only hones in on the personal lives of Palestinian Americans but provides a commentary on juggling two different cultural identities, both old and young . . . [the novel] is sure to capture the readers’ attention on the different multiplicities of Palestinian-American life and grapple with occupied identity in a land that professes freedom.” — The New Arab

“Susan Muaddi Darraj’s powerful debut novel-in-stories, Behind You Is the Sea, depicts multiple immigrant Palestinian families in Baltimore, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Darraj uses a kaleidoscopic point of view, dropping the reader into a character’s life at a pivotal moment, then switching to another character later in time, providing a multifaceted look at their community.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune

“In her dazzling fiction debut, Susan Muaddi Darraj explores generational divides, activism, reproductive justice, labor and tradition, to name a few.” — Ms. Magazine

“Behind You Is the Sea touches on the stereotypes about Palestinians and shifts perspectives to showcase the complexities that lie within Palestinian culture and identity.” — Muslim Girl Blog

“[Behind You Is the Sea] fearlessly confronts stereotypes about Palestinian culture, weaving a remarkable portrait of life’s intricate moments, from joyous weddings to heart-wrenching funerals, from shattered hearts to hidden truths—I wept and grew alongside this family. This is a story that challenges perceptions, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the interior lives of those who call this community home. A must read novel with unforgettable characters and an unwavering, fresh voice—I couldn’t put it down until the very last page! Darraj delivers an instant, necessary, and authentic classic to the cannon of Arab-American literature.” — Etaf Rum, author of Evil Eye and A Woman Is No Man

“Not the Arabian Nights, but a new Arabian Days for our time, the intricately interlocked stories of Behind You Is the Sea bring us richly detailed news of the Palestinian immigrant experience in America (largely under-reported till now). Susan Muaddi Darraj has a keen ear and a gift for capturing the many different voices that compose her polyphony. She’s just as good at the nuances of cross-cultural interaction; this book will show you how different kinds of people can learn to get along, and also how they often don’t.” — Madison Smartt Bell, author of All Souls’ Rising, Child of Light: A Biography of Robert Stone, and Behind the Moon

“In Behind You Is The Sea, multiple generations of a family confront stubborn, complicated truths while shouldering the burdensome weight of history. Susan Muaddi Darraj has fashioned a moving tale in which love, beauty, and life persist despite many injustices — indeed, despite everything.” — Jabari Asim, author of Yonder