REVIEW: The Pact We Made (Layla AlAmmar)

Book: The Pact We Made

Author: Layla AlAmmar

Premise: Dahlia is unmarried, lives at home in Kuwait, and struggles with an anxiety disorder and a deeply buried secret. With her thirtieth birthday approaching, pressure to accept a marriage proposal begins to strain the family. All Dahlia can think of is escape: something that seems impossible when she can't leave without her fathers consent.

This book paints a picture of life as a woman in Kuwait. The author manages to capture the claustrophobia of Dahlia's life so much that you also feel trapped. There's a common theme of silencing and hiding the cracks to keep up appearances. Dahlia's family are focused on maintaining their image, which causes strain. But Dahlia also does this herself when it comes to work and her social life. Her story was heartbreaking and you knew there could be no happily ever after for everyone.

I liked the juxtaposition of her friends - one raised by conservative parents, the other by liberal, almost western parents. It helped emphasise the clash between modernity and traditional beliefs within Kuwait society and between the generations. Really interesting read.