The Sweetness of Tears: A Novel

Great Read ! I was captivated by the The Sweetness of Tears and it continued to haunt and heal me much after the last words. Tears were involved but luckily sweet ones :) This exquisitely written novel takes the reader through an emotional journey full of self-reflection, courage, hope, challenge, learning, acceptance, submission, and ultimately, redemption---universal themes affecting all of us as individuals, as Americans, and above all as human beings. After her highly acclaimed and beloved The Writing on My Forehead (which I read and treasured), Haji has outdone her first achievement with another rich, multi-layered story that is a must read for everyone, especially given the post 9/11 times we live in. The Sweetness of Tears is a riveting tale that revolves around the life of Jo March, an Evangelical Christian that is courageous enough to challenge her faith and beliefs. Uncovering a haunting, hidden fact about her family, her life is thrown upside-down, setting in motion a mesmerizing journey around the globe that connects her to a different culture and religion than her own and ultimately transforms her to face greater life truths. The story is told from multiple generations and voices---all central to Jo's quest---which deepens the readers understanding of the characters and their perspectives and allows us to appreciate and embrace the complexity of the issues and choices facing Jo. In the end, this novel is a timely and powerful reminder of our universal potential to face conflict, transcend differences--of religion/country/faith/ideology, and embrace and celebrate the unity and rich diversity of our existence. Thank you, Haji, for pouring out your heart and soul through your writing.

Great story of personal and multicultral family issues, of forgivness, love, understanding, and true joy. Educational, historical, and highly entertaining.

..i eds Iimeo