Everybody Says It's Everything

Praise

“Consistent through [Everybody Says It’s Everything] is the presence of willful, interesting women. . . . Their searches for belonging give the novel its rough, streetwise charm.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Readers will find themselves immersed in each character’s respective inner world through their vivid sarcasm, self-doubt or aloofness. Aliu’s unique and imaginative descriptions leave her readers with an empathetic understanding of their conflicts. Yet her themes are enumerated subtly: Without addressing them directly, Aliu makes masterful observations about identity, family relations, male validation and where freedom truly lives.”—Bookpage, starred review

“Writing with warmth and sensitivity, compassion and a clear-eyed command of the narrative, [Aliu] brings empathy and generosity . . . Family is about more than blood in this tenderhearted and touching novel—a riveting read.”—Kirkus, starred review

“Alíu continues to explore themes of family, love, and the Albanian immigrant experience.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in “8 Books to Read in the New Year”

“A glowing work of art. Aliu has used her many talents to craft a wonderful, vibrant, must-read book.”—Jason Mott, National Book Award winning author of Hell of a Book, and New York Times bestselling author of The Returned

“Everybody Says It’s Everything is a gut-punch of a novel, by turns tender and fierce, heartbreaking and hilarious. Albanian adoptees Drita and Pete hunger for belonging and purpose. Adrift, will they find themselves and their way back to each other? Against the backdrop of the Kosovo War, and set in Waterbury and in the Bronx, Xhenet Aliu deftly examines class, diaspora, loyalty, and family chosen and received. Powerful and deeply moving.”—Vanessa Hua, author of Forbidden City

“[Everybody Says It’s Everything] skillfully uses the backdrop of a rapidly changing world—where the internet, chat rooms, and online crime were emerging phenomena—to enhance its themes. . . . [It offers] a poignant reminder that understanding and reconciliation are possible even in the face of deep-rooted differences. This thought-provoking, captivating story is a must-read for people interested in the complexities of family dynamics, cultural identity, and the human spirit.”—Library Journal