In Too Soon, we are introduced to 35-year-old Arabella, a child of Palestinian American immigrants. She is a New York theatre director who finds herself at a crossroads in her career and dating life. She’s been offered an exciting opportunity to put on a gender-swapped interpretation of Hamlet in the West Bank, a chance that could reinvigorate her career.

Meanwhile, her grandmother Zoya conspires to match Arabella with Aziz, a Palestinian-American doctor volunteering in Gaza. Yet, Arabella finds herself with growing feelings for Yoav, an Israeli-American theatre designer.

Naya is the youngest of Zoya’s daughters and defies her mother the most. She was married off before she was ready, becoming Arabella’s mother at 16. This tension between personal desires and familial obligations speaks to the generational struggles that can define the lives of women.

This novel touches on the stories of these three generations of Palestinian women, and the generational trauma caused by the mass displacements of Palestinians. Betty Shamieh offers readers an opportunity to explore themes of belonging and the complexities of changing identity in a new country. She also weaves these stories seamlessly, making Too Soon a highly immersive read that draws the reader into the emotional landscapes of all three perspectives.

Personally, Zoya’s perspective stood out to me the most, with an interesting outlook on the American immigrant experience, as well as the complexities of motherhood and womanhood. I also feel like I’ve gained insight into how it might feel having the weight of history on your shoulders, as through Arabella’s perspective Shamieh shows us another viewpoint: one that shares what it’s like to be constantly reminded of the need to continue the legacy of your nation, especially when the legacy is in danger of disappearing.

I would recommend Too Soon for anyone looking for an accessible read to introduce them to the wonderful world of Palestinian literature