Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber [in AsianWeek]
A toothsome tale set in L.A.’s richly diverse Arab American community, interspersing a love story about a hapa-Iraqi American chef who falls in love with an exiled Iraqi professor. What a major relief to read something about Baghdad, Iraq, and the Iraqi community without Dubya, Cheney, or Rumsfeld mentioned anywhere. Okay, so Saddam can’t be avoided and there are references to post-Persian Gulf American missiles, but overall, it’s a bit of Like Water for Chocolate and My Big Fat Greek Wedding mixed together with a much-needed lesson in basic humanity.
Review: “New and Notable Books,” AsianWeek, April 25, 2003
Readers: Adult
Published: 2003
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