Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape by Wagih Abu-Rish

Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape Reviews

• 
  C. Madison

  Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape is a touching book that tells the story of Mustafa, a young man who was attacked and raped by three men, and how he deals with a life-changing, traumatic experience. The story starts with Mustafa’s traumatic incident, and his journey unfolds as he deals with the aftermath. Mustafa’s experiences are relatable to anyone who has faced harassment. The author, Wagih Abu-Rish, tells the story in a way that lets us connect with Mustafa’s challenges without overwhelming us with the trauma. Even though the book deals with a difficult topic, it's a captivating and touching story.
  
  At its heart, the book is about rediscovering oneself, finding resilience, and not giving up when life takes a dark turn. The author paints a picture of Mustafa’s life that’s honest and full of emotion, making it easy to care about the characters and their struggles. The story takes unexpected twists that keep you engaged, challenging your assumptions. Despite the challenging theme, it’s a story that encourages understanding and empathy for the emotional turmoil that comes with such experiences. Mustafa’s journey and the feelings he experiences are depicted clearly, making you cheer for him and wish for a happy ending. As you read, you’ll find yourself invested in Mustafa’s progress and the love and support he needs.
  
  This book is skillfully written and thought-provoking. Its honesty and strong storytelling make it a meaningful journey. Mustafa’s story teaches us that the effects of harassment can touch anyone, and it encourages us to confront our difficulties and seek healing.
  Wagih Abu-Rish has captured Mustafa's journey beautifully, making " Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape" a must-read for those looking for a touching and profound literary experience.
• 
  Abhinav Bhatnagar

  Soul's Odyssey
  
  In 'Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape' by Wagih Abu-Rish, readers are taken on a harrowing and ultimately uplifting journey through the aftermath of a traumatic event. Mustafa, a Palestinian student, finds his life forever altered after a vicious attack and rape during a 1963 political rally in Durham, North Carolina. What unfolds is a gripping narrative that explores the profound impact of such an unimaginable crime.
  Abu-Rish's storytelling is both heart-rending and heartwarming. Mustafa's resilience and courage shine through as he embarks on a life-altering cross-country journey from North Carolina to Stanford University. We are exposed to a full spectrum of experiences, from the warmth of newfound friendships and acts of kindness to the challenges of racism, encounters with the law, and the enduring power of love.
  One of the most touching aspects of the story is Mustafa's relationship with Michelle, his daughter-buddy. Their deep bond and shared decisions regarding their future resonate with readers, evoking strong emotions. Their journey together prompts us to reflect on the profound themes of forgiveness, self-identity, and the human capacity for resilience.
  'Intimate Fractures' is a testament to Abu-Rish's storytelling prowess. His narrative draws readers into Mustafa's world, allowing us to explore universal themes of love, trauma, and self-discovery. As we follow Mustafa's trials and tribulations, we are reminded of the intricate nature of the human experience. Abu-Rish's elegant prose paints a vivid picture of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
  This book is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of the enduring power of the human spirit. 'Intimate Fractures' is a story that lingers in the mind and heart, leaving a lasting impact on readers long after the final page.
• 
  Laura Elizabeth

  This is a tough and mesmerizingly beautiful book all in one. When Mustafa is raped, his life takes a much different path than the one he was on before he was attacked. Readers travel with him in the aftermath of his trauma toward trying to find hope after the horrific event that he was lucky to live through. I am close to the subject to rape, and it's one that's tough to live and read about. But the author does an expert job at paying special mind to the reader as we follow his main character. Told in third person, which I think helps, there's just enough distance to the horror that I was able to follow Mustafa's journey to the end. And I certainly am glad I did.
  
  This is a story of finding yourself again; of resilience; of not giving up the fight to work your way toward better days when something terrible happens to you. There's such honesty and vulnerability on the page. It's hard not to just hug the book when you're done with it. INTIMATE FRACTURES is not a light read, and it’s not intended to be. But, it’s a worthwhile and authentic read that you won’t be sorry you picked up. Well-written, well-told, and well-executed, I enjoyed my time with these characters very much.
  
• 
  Arden Schraff

  Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape is the story of Mustafa Makram, a young man from Palestine who moves to the U.S. to attend Duke University. The horrific assault he experiences early in the novel causes reverberations throughout the rest of his adult life. Author Wagih Abu-Rish utilizes excellent storytelling skills to communicate the suddenness and intensity of the violation and how altering it is to Mustafa's life and well-being. Mustafa is burdened by this unwanted trauma immediately after it occurs and carries it with him as he tries to move forward with his life. Abu-Rish paints the picture of a healing rape victim empathetically as he tells the story of Mustafa's reaction to his assault. Many sexual assault and rape narratives center around women and do not always communicate how common it is for people of a variety of identities to experience sexual assault and/or rape. This novel covers a delicate topic, one that affects many people throughout the world. Abu-Rish does a beautiful job handling the topic in a way that powerfully communicates the extent of the effect rape has on a victim.
• 
  Dawn Killian

  Intimate Fracture is about one man’s rape and the path his life goes on after the horrific event that happened to him. This book is told through his point of view, as it becomes a thought provoking and an eye opening experience, as he takes your emotions on a roller coaster through his story. We see the author’s character navigate his through the twisted turns, of trying to find his way back of the aftermath of rape. This all inspiring storytelling of never giving up, even in the darkest moments.
  
  The story shows how the character is shaped by his dark shadows of shame and self loathing, to come out through to the lighter side. To push yourself, to see the better days to not live in the darkness but to see greater things ahead for him. The author shows us a character who is determined to come out the other side of humanity as he take a different path the he originally set out to take. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to come out of the darkness and into the light.
  
  
• 
  Shawnae Aiu

  Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape written by Wagih Abu-Rish is a book about Mustafa. Mustafa is a man that was raped by three horrible men and this story shares how he deals with this tragic event in his life. This is life-changing for Mustafa and how his life unfolds is inspiring.
  
  The characters in this book are well-written and touch your heart. Mustafa's challenges and choices are difficult but his strength of character and honest way of dealing with his emotions have you completely engaged in his journey. This is not an easy topic for people to face and Abu-Rish weaves a captivating version for readers to feel the horror of rape and the aftermath without absolutely devastating his audience's mind.
  
  I highly recommend this book for anyone facing struggles of their own and looking for a way to handle them with integrity and heart. You have a choice when life gives you a rough hand, what path you take is how your ending will be--happy or a forever victim.
• 
  Jodi

  The story instantly pulls you in; the characters are well-developed, and I immediately felt connected to them, wanting to know how everything would unfold. The book is about a college student, Mustafa, who seemingly had all his dreams come true. His father didn’t want him to study in America, but after a change of heart, Mustafa was excited to be heading to Duke. His good friend is already there to welcome him to his new life, and Mustafa quickly falls passionately in love with a classmate.
  
  Tragically, while walking to an event, Mustafa is attacked by three men and raped. The incident sends him into a tailspin of confusion and despair, and he does the only thing he can think to do—run away from his life. He begins a cross-country journey to Stanford. While Mustafa encounters many adventures, he wrestles with the aftermath that comes with trauma and the hard road of healing. The story is eye-opening, relevant, and shares an important experience that is not often talked about.
  
• 
  Mike Bratek

  A good read.
  
  There is so much emotion in the descriptiveness of characters and feelings. Love is important to each of the persons in the story and displays it well.
  One thing I didn't like was that they made Mustafa too much like a marter, as if they praised him way too much in the story. Other than that, I enjoyed this book immensely!