Savage Tongues

Savage Tongues follows Arezu, an Iranian-American woman who returns to Spain to revisit the apartment where she experienced trauma as a teenager. She brings her friend Ellie, and together they confront the weight of memory and violence in that space. The narrative moves between past and present as Arezu processes her experiences from decades ago. The apartment in Spain becomes a focal point for exploring larger histories of colonialism, displacement, and cultural identity. Through intense character relationships and vivid sensory details, the story examines how personal and political histories intersect. The novel takes place over just two weeks but encompasses generations of complex cultural dynamics. The book presents a meditation on trauma, memory, and healing while raising questions about power dynamics in intimate relationships and society at large. It explores how individuals carry historical burdens in their bodies and psyches, and how friendship can facilitate understanding and recovery.

Readers describe this as a slow-paced, contemplative book that examines trauma through both personal and political lenses. The narrative structure moves between past and present events. Readers appreciated: - The unflinching examination of complex topics - Rich, poetic prose style - Thoughtful exploration of memory and healing - Cultural and historical context about Spain and Algeria Common criticisms: - Pacing feels too slow and meandering - Writing style is overly academic and dense - Plot lacks forward momentum - Some found the protagonist difficult to connect with Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (50+ ratings) "Beautiful writing but moves at a glacial pace" - Goodreads reviewer "The academic discussions sometimes overshadow the emotional impact" - Amazon reviewer "Powerful meditation on trauma, but requires patience" - LibraryThing review The book resonates most with readers who appreciate literary fiction and don't mind minimal plot progression.

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✦ The author, Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi, won the 2019 PEN/Faulkner Award for her previous novel "Call Me Zebra," making her one of the youngest recipients of this prestigious literary prize. ✦ The book's setting in Spain connects to the historical legacy of Al-Andalus, the medieval Muslim territory that once flourished in the Iberian Peninsula, creating a deeper layer of cultural significance to the protagonist's journey. ✦ The novel draws inspiration from the author's own experiences as an Iranian-American woman navigating multiple cultural identities, though the story itself is fictional. ✦ The structure of the novel incorporates elements of Islamic architecture and sacred geometry, with chapters and scenes built in intricate patterns that mirror traditional Middle Eastern artistic designs. ✦ "Savage Tongues" was named one of the Best Books of 2021 by several publications, including NPR and Kirkus Reviews, and has been translated into multiple languages.