A must read, absolutely devastating and gives us an insight into what it is like to be a Gazan, both before and after the current genocide.

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an important read for everyone to understand the lesser publicised side of the current war in the Middle East. This book is full of beautiful and thought provoking, at times heartbreaking poems some of which really struck me such as Gaza Notebook, A Blank Postcard, 1948, and The Ball and the Bombs.

Favourite Quote:
“I wish there were no planes at all.
I wish there were no war.
I wish we never had to wish.”

I find it hard to rate poems - partly because I hate reading them alone, and partly because they always come in collections, so my experience is often uneven. My impression of Forest of Noise: Some poems were heartbreaking, some were political statements, some made me think and some left me cold. Overall, I think the collection is interesting not only because of the time and playe in which it was produced, but also because it was clearly intended for an English-speaking audience. This is a great collection to talk about.

There were a few occasions, whilst reading this, where i found myself welling up. With the fluency and heart of a bard does M. Abu Toha, by proxy, immerse us in terror and heartache of the Palestinian people, the lives of Gaza. It's a privilege to be able to close the book and breathe and know i am in no danger.

Harrowing, moving, devastating.
These descriptors do not feel like enough. There are times where words feel too futile, too empty - and, of course, words alone are not enough, scarcely more than empty promises - but words are all i've got to show here. Words, and resilience and empathy, are all we have when our actions/ambitions fail. That rule applies to everyone's life.

This collection of poems covers themes with which we are all familiar: the feeling of home, family, loss of a loved one, appreciation for beauty, rumination on fading memories.
Through the knotting of all these generic human experiences with war and terror Abu Toha is able to convey his own experiences, that of his friends and family to people who would otherwise see them as a number on the news. By relating monstrosity to life's core feelings he opens a chasm through which the reader can safely immerse themselves in almost dystopian events in which we find ourselves relating to such terror we do not feel.

With that in mind, it feels crucial to say this collection isn't only about the war/genocide though, given the country's history, it inevitably sneaks its way into the crooks and crevices of a given poem's underlying themes. But it's not just about the blood and tears shed on that land, it's about the people and memories and landscapes.

many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher x

This poetry collection by Mosab Abu Toha is a powerful and amazing window into life under occupation. Each poem weaves profound themes of resilience, identity, and longing for freedom, blending personal grief with collective struggle. The imagery is striking, painting vivid scenes of daily life in Palestine, from olive groves to checkpoints. The poet’s voice is unflinchingly honest yet deeply lyrical, balancing sorrow with hope. These verses invite readers to witness the human cost of conflict while celebrating the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people. This is not just poetry but a heartfelt testament to survival and resistance. Truly amazing.

Thank you so much @netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely.. haunting? I don't know how to express that this work, as every Palestinian works, is beautifully moving (but none of the reasons these poems being written are beautiful, of course). I hope this work reaches people's heart to work for a better & proper right for the Palestinians, and that this benefits the author and the people. Long live resistance.

Wow, this was such an emotional and eye opening collection of poetry and the words and emotion will stay with for a long time. Although tragic, it was written beautifully and it made me feel so many emotions. I look forward to reading more by the author in the future.

every waking moment i think of Gaza and the Palestinians displaced, fleeing death and holding onto life. thank you for publishing this book, and for giving me an e-arc.

We are living in a time of widely broadcasted g*no*ides where I have to c*ns*r what I say in case the bots or algorithms decide this review is a problem.

Abu Toha however doesn’t hide a thing. This book is his heart and memories and existence laid open bare for the world to decide what they want to do about it.

Poems that made me go back to them again and again include:

Daughter - because it made my heart ache, the remembering through your loved ones’ eyes

What a G*z*n should do during an Is**eli air strike - because really this is what real life is about

Two watches - because your heart is always at home no matter what timezone you live in

What a G*z*n Mother Does During an I**aeli Night Air Strike - because there’s no one else like a mother

History Class - because we are living inside this history

To My Mother, Staying in an UNRWA School Shelter in the J*b*lia Camp - because I pray Allah reunites Abu Toha with his mother and his entire family Ya Rabb

After Allen Ginsberg - because this is a very sad tribute

Ramadan 2024 - because my heart hurts

Rescue Plane - because our wishes and prayers are simple and we will not give up our hope

Door on the Road - because this is the strange truth with the truest imagery reflecting the state of this world

Thank you to Mosab Abu Toha for sharing his words with the world. May Allah swt reward you in this world and the next ameen.

I received a copy of the ARC through Netgalley.

This collection is a must read in my opinion. At a time where we must pay vital attention to Palestinian voices, Forest of Noise is vivid and tender and intimate and brutal. The title poem late in caught my breath as did “After Allen Ginsberg”. Sometimes, I read collections out of order but I'm so glad I read this in the format and structure of the volume becase you are taken on a journey that makes the last few poems land in a new way.

This book offers a brutally honest and deeply moving account of life in Gaza, chronicling the shattered lives, broken dreams, and overwhelming grief endured by the author’s family and the people of Gaza. With raw emotion, it captures the harsh realities of war and displacement, laying bare the immense loss and suffering that define everyday existence in this conflict-ridden region. Yet, amidst this heartbreaking narrative, the story shines with the resilient spirit of the Palestinian people, who, despite the relentless brutality, refuse to surrender their will to survive.

Poetry is a vehicle for change and Mosab Abu Toha is a poet known for using his voice and words to enlighten, raise awareness and call for change. It was with heavy hearts that we awaited news of his safety after his kidnap last year. Forest of Noise now marks over a year since this event as well as a year of genocide.

While some poems reflect upon Toha's personal experience, the purpose of this collection is to write for the Gazan people. He could have easily have centred these poems on a narrative of kidnap but instead Forest of Noise ensures this collection is a universal call for a free Palestine.

The writing is raw and rightfully so - Toha's work is an example of how poetry is a tool for resistance and truth, particularly in the face of Western and Israeli propaganda. Forest of Noise is vital reading and we should be thankful that poets like Toha continue to raise their voices louder than oppression.

I first read ‘Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear’ by Mosab Abu Toha towards the end of 2023, and it immediately became one of my favourite poetry collections ever. So, the moment I heard about the existence of ‘Forest of Noise’, I knew I had to prioritise it. Of course, it did not disappoint.

I find it nearly impossible to review poetry collections like this one because no words of mine can accurately capture how incredibly devastating, painful, and beautiful Mosab’s writing is.

I continue to believe that poetry is one of the most visceral and powerful ways to learn about and connect with experiences so vastly different from my own. The words that Mosab shares with us, both in this collection and in ‘Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear’, are incredibly raw, radical, and paradigm-shifting in nature.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am eternally grateful to Palestinian poets and creatives all over the world who continue to share their pain and truth with us, even as the world continues to let them down!

If you’re looking for a place to start, or a place to continue your Palestinian reading and learning, look no further.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It's been a while since I read something that profoundly moved me in this way. I'm not usually one for poetry, but something about Abu Toha's lyrical words had me glued to the pages. The poems range from heartbreaking to painfully hopeful, painting the stark reality of life in Gaza. This collection of poems is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the realities of life under bombardment by a brutal occupying force. I was moved to tears many times while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this collection in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

'Will my bones find yours after I die?'

First and foremost - the collection is beautiful. It's evocative, raw and striking. Every word and allusion is intentional - nothing is wasted. There was an allusion to warplanes as eagles in the first poem that took my breath away. So much can be inferred in that one sentence, and Mosab dilutes meaning into every. single. word.

It lays plain what many would hide away from: the atrocities the apartheid state of Israel continues to force on the people of Palestine.

It's a searing reminder of how the world has failed Palestine. Of how we need to keep witnessing, sharing, shouting about Palestine. We can't stop. Poetry is resistance, and Forest of Noise is resistant in a world that would smother Palestinian voices.

My favourite inclusions, to name a few, were: Sunrise in Palestine, My Dreams as a Child, We Are Looking for Palestine, and On Your Knees.

Mosab Abu Toha's poetry is a must-read. It gives intimate insight into life in modern-day (and even past) Palestine, and allows a deep connection with a people that have been left behind in the name of colonial expansion.

Say Palestine. Say Genocide. Witness them. 🇵🇸

I first knew about the author from his work in the Light in Gaza anthology, which I read earlier this year and loved. When I saw that he has a new poetry book out this year, I didn't think twice before requesting.

It's obvious to me that Mosab is a brilliant author because his words here are so beautiful. I'm not a big reader of poetry so I don't know the exact way of rating a poetry collection but to me, being able to convey a message and meanings in such a concise way is such a talent, and this poetry book is proof of Mosab's ability. However, as we are now reaching a year of the genocide (saying a year is already incorrect, as it didn't start on October 7), this was truly hard to read. Grief and loss can be seen across most of Mosab's poems and it was heartbreaking to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I have no words. This book was so heartbreaking and eye-opening about the struggles of the people in Palestine. I read this a little slower because I wanted to (needed to) take my time with it- to understand what the author was saying and to educate myself better. I'm grateful for this author and his work. Thank you, Mr. Mosab Abu Toha.

I highly recommend this book! and I'll be looking out for his other work.

Mosab Abu Toha is a Palestinian poet from Gaza and this collection documents this past year of war & genocide in Gaza. But he also writes about the past 75 years of war on Palestine.

Abu Toha chronicles the bombing of his home where he lived with his wife & three young children. He was then detained and assaulted in an Israeli prison while trying to evacuate with his family. All of this makes for harrowing reading. There are sparks of beauty when the author speaks of the community he once had, the plots of land where people tended to vegetables and fruit trees, the library he shared with his neighbours. Then you are quickly reminded that none of this exists anymore.

A truly invaluable collection for a first-hand account of this ongoing atrocity.

I'm not sure how my words can do this collection justice, but I will try. Forest of Noise is a deeply moving collection of poetry, whose words cover a truth that we all need to know and hear. Poignant and unforgettable - words that will stay with the reader for a long time.

Forest of Noise is a powerful collection of poems. Every word is a blow to the gut. Every poem will leave you hollow. The situations are real; highlighting the horrific realities that not only the Palestinian people are currently facing, but have always faced since the 1948 Nakba.