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wilkerwyrm's review
5.0
A nuanced take on life under occupation in a world where there can be no heroes. A heavy peace but necessary to understand not just dynamics between Israelis and Palestinians but within the Palestinian identity.
katiechasingchapters's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
danslalune's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this book and get more background on Palestine but sadly it just wasn’t working for me.
The narrative could be confusing a lot of the time as things are repeated over and over again plus the large cast of characters. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or the translation which made it so difficult to follow. I set this aside a few times thinking it was me but I could feel the book pulling me into a slump so ultimately it’s a DNF
The narrative could be confusing a lot of the time as things are repeated over and over again plus the large cast of characters. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or the translation which made it so difficult to follow. I set this aside a few times thinking it was me but I could feel the book pulling me into a slump so ultimately it’s a DNF
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
eaupaline's review against another edition
4.0
Je suis tombée par hasard sur ce beau roman à la bibliothèque et je suis heureuse de cette rencontre. On y découvre le quotidien de palestien·nes de Naplouse sous occupation israélienne dans les années 60-70, à travers des personnages qui réagissent de manière très différente à la présence et aux lois imposées par la colonisation. On rencontre par exemple Oussama, un jeune homme revenu au pays après des années à l'étranger et qui veut lutter de l'intérieur, Adel, qui tente de maintenir sa famille à flot même s'il doit pour cela se compromettre, abandonner l'exploitation agricole familiale et aller travailler dans une usine israélienne ou encore Lina et Nouwar, trop peu évoquées mais résistant elles aussi dans l'ombre.
D'emblée le ton est donné. On suit au départ Oussama alors qu'il doit franchir les douanes pour retrouver sa mère à Naplouse. L'interrogatoire intense que lui fait passer le soldat israélien, et la voix de femme qu'Oussama entend crier "Salauds" dans la pièce voisine nous donnent tout de suite une idée du contexte et des méthodes des colons. Par la suite, j'ai beaucoup aimé comment l'autrice mélange les modes de narration, passant d'un point de vue externe au point de vue de différents personnages, dont le monologue intérieur montre la colère et la volonté de riposter face aux injustices de l'occupant. C'est souvent dans ces passages qu'on découvre la mentalité de personnages qui autrement, par leurs apparences, semblent s'être résignés.
Oussama ouvre le récit, mais on se concentre aussi sur Bassel, arrêté pour avoir crié des slogans révolutionnaires avec d'autres jeunes dans la rue, et que l'on va suivre en prison. Il y a quelque chose de puissant à lire la façon dont les autres hommes détenus l'accueillent dans leur cellule. Ils lui rendent honneur, lui demandent des nouvelles de sa famille et des leurs, lui font sentir qu'il est devenu un homme en s'inscrivant à leur suite dans la résistance. La familiarité et la solidarité dont ce groupe fait preuve en prison malgré les humiliations et l'injustice m'ont touchée. Le récit nous présente aussi de nombreuses mères soucieuses de l'avenir de leurs enfants, et qui sont montrées comme se soutenant entre elles.
De manière générale, ce roman m'a plu pour sa façon de montrer à la fois la force et la colère des personnages investis dans une résistance active, la résilience de chacun·e et la tendresse des liens qui unissent les personnes d'une même communauté, qu'iels soient voisin·es, frères, sœurs, cousin·es éloigné·es. C'est une lecture que je recommande , ne serait-ce que parce qu'il me semble particulièrement important aujourd'hui de lire, de faire lire et de donner à entendre des voix arabes.
D'emblée le ton est donné. On suit au départ Oussama alors qu'il doit franchir les douanes pour retrouver sa mère à Naplouse. L'interrogatoire intense que lui fait passer le soldat israélien, et la voix de femme qu'Oussama entend crier "Salauds" dans la pièce voisine nous donnent tout de suite une idée du contexte et des méthodes des colons. Par la suite, j'ai beaucoup aimé comment l'autrice mélange les modes de narration, passant d'un point de vue externe au point de vue de différents personnages, dont le monologue intérieur montre la colère et la volonté de riposter face aux injustices de l'occupant. C'est souvent dans ces passages qu'on découvre la mentalité de personnages qui autrement, par leurs apparences, semblent s'être résignés.
Oussama ouvre le récit, mais on se concentre aussi sur Bassel, arrêté pour avoir crié des slogans révolutionnaires avec d'autres jeunes dans la rue, et que l'on va suivre en prison. Il y a quelque chose de puissant à lire la façon dont les autres hommes détenus l'accueillent dans leur cellule. Ils lui rendent honneur, lui demandent des nouvelles de sa famille et des leurs, lui font sentir qu'il est devenu un homme en s'inscrivant à leur suite dans la résistance. La familiarité et la solidarité dont ce groupe fait preuve en prison malgré les humiliations et l'injustice m'ont touchée. Le récit nous présente aussi de nombreuses mères soucieuses de l'avenir de leurs enfants, et qui sont montrées comme se soutenant entre elles.
De manière générale, ce roman m'a plu pour sa façon de montrer à la fois la force et la colère des personnages investis dans une résistance active, la résilience de chacun·e et la tendresse des liens qui unissent les personnes d'une même communauté, qu'iels soient voisin·es, frères, sœurs, cousin·es éloigné·es. C'est une lecture que je recommande , ne serait-ce que parce qu'il me semble particulièrement important aujourd'hui de lire, de faire lire et de donner à entendre des voix arabes.
cebolla's review
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was the final book on Slingshot’s books to read before they get burnt (or something like that) list, and probably my favorite.
Wild Thorns was published in 1976 in Arabic, and was translated into English fairly recently (I think). It takes place in Palestine and is a story told through the eyes of a few Palestinians living in occupied territories. Some are actively fighting back against the Israeli occupiers, while other’s aren’t; but all are angry and have some kind of analysis of the horrid situation. This was almost 50 years ago, and the situation has gotten exponentially worse, but reading this book sure filled me with anger and despair.
Khalifeh writes in a simple, yet very deep way. The way she manages to convey the feelings of the freedom fighters and the more resigned folks who have taken jobs within “Israel” to support their families, is relatable. Without using any antisemitism or exaggeration, she makes the reader feel the desperation of people just trying to live their lives while constantly being thrown in jail, murdered, and having all of their possessions destroyed or stolen. The descriptions of having to go through checkpoints or being in prison for doing nothing other than being Palestinian is better than any nonfiction account I’ve read.
This is a book that everyone who has any interest in the g*n0c*dE should definitely read. The hopefulness expressed by many characters in this book is absolutely heartbreaking to anyone who has ability to feel. I couldn’t escape the thought that I’m reading something by a person who is of a culture that is getting erased right before our eyes while the world sits around and debates over who the next leader of the world will be, like it matters.
Wild Thorns was published in 1976 in Arabic, and was translated into English fairly recently (I think). It takes place in Palestine and is a story told through the eyes of a few Palestinians living in occupied territories. Some are actively fighting back against the Israeli occupiers, while other’s aren’t; but all are angry and have some kind of analysis of the horrid situation. This was almost 50 years ago, and the situation has gotten exponentially worse, but reading this book sure filled me with anger and despair.
Khalifeh writes in a simple, yet very deep way. The way she manages to convey the feelings of the freedom fighters and the more resigned folks who have taken jobs within “Israel” to support their families, is relatable. Without using any antisemitism or exaggeration, she makes the reader feel the desperation of people just trying to live their lives while constantly being thrown in jail, murdered, and having all of their possessions destroyed or stolen. The descriptions of having to go through checkpoints or being in prison for doing nothing other than being Palestinian is better than any nonfiction account I’ve read.
This is a book that everyone who has any interest in the g*n0c*dE should definitely read. The hopefulness expressed by many characters in this book is absolutely heartbreaking to anyone who has ability to feel. I couldn’t escape the thought that I’m reading something by a person who is of a culture that is getting erased right before our eyes while the world sits around and debates over who the next leader of the world will be, like it matters.
leahkrason's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
annapaeshuyse's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paddy_mas's review
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lauracpap's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I adored this book and almost couldn’t put it down. Especially during the ongoing genocide in Palestine, I felt the stories, thoughts and emotions of the characters so deeply. The book follows a family living under the pain of cruel occupation and shows both conflicts with the oppressor as well as conflicts inside the community. I loved the string of thoughts that pour out of each character, going towards insanity at some points.
„How long have things been this bad for you?“
„For days, maybe weeks, even generations. I don’t know.“
The book is heartbreaking and it paints such a devastating picture of the absolute nightmare that life under occupation is, generations of people traumatized by the life that was stolen from them. My heart goes out to Usama, Adil, Nuwar, Basil, Zuhdi, everyone in this book really and while reading, I could not stop thinking of the many names in the West Bank today, that we will never hear of, suffering everyday.
Everyone needs to read this book.
4.5 only because the ending did not do the book justice in my opinion.
„How long have things been this bad for you?“
„For days, maybe weeks, even generations. I don’t know.“
The book is heartbreaking and it paints such a devastating picture of the absolute nightmare that life under occupation is, generations of people traumatized by the life that was stolen from them. My heart goes out to Usama, Adil, Nuwar, Basil, Zuhdi, everyone in this book really and while reading, I could not stop thinking of the many names in the West Bank today, that we will never hear of, suffering everyday.
Everyone needs to read this book.
4.5 only because the ending did not do the book justice in my opinion.