Skin and Its Girl

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A young, queer Palestinian American woman uncovers her great aunt's secrets in this debut family saga that explores sexual identity, exile, and lineage. In a Pacific Northwest hospital, the heart of a stillborn baby unexpectedly begins to beat, turning her skin a vibrant cobalt blue. On the same day, the Rummani family's soap factory in Nablus is destroyed in an air strike. Aunt Nuha, the family matriarch, believes the blue girl symbolizes their rich history, recalling a time when the Rummanis were renowned soap-makers and their blue soap represented a legendary love. Years later, Betty stands at her Aunt Nuha's gravestone, contemplating whether to remain in the only home she’s known or pursue her love for a woman, risking the family’s cycle of exile. Her decision is influenced by partially translated notebooks that reveal Nuha's struggles with her sexuality, which she concealed to facilitate the family's emigration to the U.S. However, Betty learns that her aunt's secrets run deeper. This poignant narrative delves into desire and identity, exploring how stories can divide, unite, and define us, while also holding the potential to heal a fractured family. Sarah Cypher's writing showcases the skill of a seasoned storyteller in this compelling tale.