nursays's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This had a wonderful format, combining a man's walk through Ramallah with black and white photos and anecdotes from his life. What life used to be like in Ramallah before it was invaded by the Israeli forces and overtaken by various political identities grappling against each other. The author's tone is sad and often downright bleak, but mostly it's him yearning for what once was.
fionak's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Shehadeh observes and philosophizes about the changes to Ramalla over his lifetime as he walks to work and back again. Much of it is personal (what the neighbours grew in thier gardens when he was a child, for example), some political, but always influenced by the state of occupation. It's very languid and I was bored at times but it's also funny and very heartfelt.
emilybh's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of how Ramallah has changed over the past fifty years, and the effects of Israeli occupation, framed through the author's life, work and experiences walking through his local neighbourhoods. Shehadeh’s writing and attention to detail make you feel like you’re on the street with him, from the smell of bread or the sight of flowering trees to the sound of the call to prayer; this is an enjoyable but bittersweet read.
lasunflower's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
(Read for Storygraph Read the World 2022 Challenge: Palestine)
A beautifully written book about a 70 year old man and human rights lawyer and activist (Al-Haq) walking through Ramallah, Palestine, for a day on the fiftieth anniversary of the occupation of his city. His commentary is interesting - he not only reflects on the effects of the Arab-Israeli conflict on the daily lives of people who live in (and emigrated from) Ramallah, but also on ageing, grief and family. The way in which he ties these subjects together is lovely.
Shehadeh does not go into much detail about the history of the occupation and does not explain many of the events and groups that he mentions. It is not a book for those looking for this information. It is about the experience of Palestinians in the occupation and how things have changed since its beginning through Shehadeh's eyes and memories.
The book is quite slow paced, and I personally was not interested in every chapter. But I learnt a lot and it gave me lots to think about, mainly about ageing and grief.
A beautifully written book about a 70 year old man and human rights lawyer and activist (Al-Haq) walking through Ramallah, Palestine, for a day on the fiftieth anniversary of the occupation of his city. His commentary is interesting - he not only reflects on the effects of the Arab-Israeli conflict on the daily lives of people who live in (and emigrated from) Ramallah, but also on ageing, grief and family. The way in which he ties these subjects together is lovely.
Shehadeh does not go into much detail about the history of the occupation and does not explain many of the events and groups that he mentions. It is not a book for those looking for this information. It is about the experience of Palestinians in the occupation and how things have changed since its beginning through Shehadeh's eyes and memories.
The book is quite slow paced, and I personally was not interested in every chapter. But I learnt a lot and it gave me lots to think about, mainly about ageing and grief.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Blood
rinnie's review against another edition
4.0
I was originally going to rate this ~3.5, but have jumped it to 4 due solely to the last 25-30% of the book, which did exactly what I was waiting for during the entire first 70%: actually go more in depth into the Palestinian struggle, stories and consequences of the Intifadas, commentary on the social and political state, and his own legal career. cognizant this is a memoir rather than a social/political/academic work, but still, would have liked more of this.
I think most of the value of this book, and also what he spends the most time on, is in how vivid Shehadeh's descriptions are, and in how you feel the before of the city versus the after of occupation, and all the ways Israeli occupation destroyed or dimmed or worsened the city and its inhabitants, and in how he quite literally maps out a history as he walks the streets. for example: "With the felling of the pine trees lining the city streets by Israeli soldiers - on security grounds, they said - one can no long hear the birds in the trees." that destruction of the little details Shehadeh remembers fondly - it strikes a deeply personal tone to something that is often talked about in abstract or academic terms, of cultural destruction or intractable conflict or human rights abuses.
also, funnily enough, for a book supposedly about a city through occupation, I think one of the most engaging and heartfelt segments was when he was talking about his relationship with his father and family (p.138-147).
also sometimes a little heavyhanded on the metaphors -- eg. [aspect of city he just described] reminded me of [social/political/historical thing]" -- but to each their own writing style I guess
I think most of the value of this book, and also what he spends the most time on, is in how vivid Shehadeh's descriptions are, and in how you feel the before of the city versus the after of occupation, and all the ways Israeli occupation destroyed or dimmed or worsened the city and its inhabitants, and in how he quite literally maps out a history as he walks the streets. for example: "With the felling of the pine trees lining the city streets by Israeli soldiers - on security grounds, they said - one can no long hear the birds in the trees." that destruction of the little details Shehadeh remembers fondly - it strikes a deeply personal tone to something that is often talked about in abstract or academic terms, of cultural destruction or intractable conflict or human rights abuses.
also, funnily enough, for a book supposedly about a city through occupation, I think one of the most engaging and heartfelt segments was when he was talking about his relationship with his father and family (p.138-147).
also sometimes a little heavyhanded on the metaphors -- eg. [aspect of city he just described] reminded me of [social/political/historical thing]" -- but to each their own writing style I guess
bookaneer's review
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down. This is my first own voice account about the Palestinian cause. I was expecting more history of the occupation, but the book apparently told more about the titular home (house and gardens) that I prefer. The Oslo accord - supposedly an important milestone - was mentioned ten times but lacked a background.
Still, a good if not rather melancholic narrative on how Ramallah (a city) has changed its face following the 50-year occupation period and that everything would remain bleak in the future.
Still, a good if not rather melancholic narrative on how Ramallah (a city) has changed its face following the 50-year occupation period and that everything would remain bleak in the future.
wtb_michael's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Nostalgic, elliptical reflection of 50 years of occupation, as Shehadeh wanders through Ramallah. Thoughtful and heartbreaking
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