logo

45 pages 1 hour read

Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar

The Map of Salt and Stars

Jennifer Zeynab JoukhadarFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar

The Map of Salt and Stars

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Syria • 2010s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar follows two interwoven narratives: Nour, a young Syrian girl fleeing the current war, and Rawiya, a medieval mapmaker’s apprentice. Nour, who relocates from Manhattan to Homs, escapes the bombing with her family, mirroring Rawiya's adventurous journey across the Middle East centuries earlier. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, subverted gender roles, and the quest for home. The book contains depictions of war, family loss, and attempted sexual violence.

Mysterious

Emotional

Contemplative

Melancholic

Adventurous

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar intertwines a modern Syrian refugee's journey with a medieval legend, earning praise for its lyrical prose and emotional depth. Critics commend its rich storytelling and cultural depiction, though some note a slower pacing in parts. Overall, the novel is lauded for its poignant narrative and vivid imagery.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Map of Salt and Stars?

A reader who enjoys The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar is likely captivated by rich, dual narratives blending historical fiction and contemporary refugee experiences. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns will appreciate its lyrical storytelling and deep emotional resonance.

Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Syria • 2010s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.