This was a case of right book at the wrong time. Under the Udala trees is a well written, heartbreaking story about love and violence and hope. It is everything I love in historical fiction. It even has short chapters! And it took me three weeks to read it because I was in a weird headspace and could not focus. (Seriously, pretty much everything else I read in July was YA for this reason).

But none of this is the book’s fault. The book is damn near perfect. I was particularly impressed/captivated/blown away by Okparanta’s use of Bible stories and verses within the narrative. She had her character examine these passages that are so often used to condemn homosexuality or subjugate women, and offer different (IMO more logical) interpretations. It was incredibly powerful and eye opening. 

CW: homophobia, war, murder, miscarriage, death of a parent, beatings/violence against gay people