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el_viral's review against another edition
This is the first time I've had to mark a book dnf. This book just made me very uncomfortable - I knew it was largely about the conflict between Israel and Palestine, but wasn't prepared for the one-sided Israeli view. In light of how the world is right now, I just couldn't read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
jfaberrit's review against another edition
5.0
For all of the strange pacing and sorting decisions Englander makes, this is a fantastic book that ends up with an extremely surprising take on the vastly complicated situation that is the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. The beginning does a pretty convincing head fake that we will end up with intertwining threads that resolve together, but I think the goal is something much more: This in not so much the story of how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is writ small in the lives of the characters, but rather the reverse -- a story of how the conflict itself is a mirror for the participants' lives writ large. This is Israel and Palestine as sibling rivalry, a lover's quarrel, a potential friendship strained and broken. As history, that picture would leave something to be desired, but in the novelistic sense I think it works shockingly well.
jfearing5's review against another edition
4.0
Admittedly, I had to look up some of the background information as I had not paid good enough attention to current events in the years the story takes place. That being said I found the characters compelling and personable even though the story twists and changes throughout the narrative. The story encourages me to reflect on how similar motivations can cross borders; and heroes, villains, and martyrs may be just a matter of perspective. For some reason, I have no idea why, I had excepted a jaunty and light hearted read. While I would not categorize this book as such after reading it, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
jamiemonville's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This book surprised me in many ways. I picked this up in our galley section because I'd read some Jewish literature before, and I needed to read more, and I was just beginning to delve into the spy genre in all sorts of media. However, this was unlike any Jewish or spy lit I've ever read before.
Most of the Jewish lit that I've read discusses stereotypes as a result of WWII, but this took a more contemporary twist on those stereotypes as they pertain to Gaza (a subject I'm not totally knowledgeable about, so it was nice to see some insight!). Additionally, most of the spy lit that I've read typically has lots of on-the-run scenes and desperation before salvation. Not the case with this bit of spy literature, so you'll definitely be surprised! Hopefully in a good way--it certainly was for me.
The language of this book was so concise and flowed nicely--so nicely that I could understand it while taking the 5:30 AM subway to work! And, the chapters switched between different times and perspectives all the while being able to provide insight without being confusing! An impressive feat. Or maybe a normal one, and I'm just bad at keeping things straight? Either way, I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to somebody who likes to read multicultural lit or spy lit.
Get the full review here!
Most of the Jewish lit that I've read discusses stereotypes as a result of WWII, but this took a more contemporary twist on those stereotypes as they pertain to Gaza (a subject I'm not totally knowledgeable about, so it was nice to see some insight!). Additionally, most of the spy lit that I've read typically has lots of on-the-run scenes and desperation before salvation. Not the case with this bit of spy literature, so you'll definitely be surprised! Hopefully in a good way--it certainly was for me.
The language of this book was so concise and flowed nicely--so nicely that I could understand it while taking the 5:30 AM subway to work! And, the chapters switched between different times and perspectives all the while being able to provide insight without being confusing! An impressive feat. Or maybe a normal one, and I'm just bad at keeping things straight? Either way, I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to somebody who likes to read multicultural lit or spy lit.
Get the full review here!
giannagenova's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I bought this second hand, admittedly, based on the catchy title and gorgeous cover.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be really, really good. A quick but not light read, this book successfully grapples with very heavy subject matter.
Weirdly, I found myself reminded of Giovanni’s room, which is a very different book, but maybe the Paris setting is why.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be really, really good. A quick but not light read, this book successfully grapples with very heavy subject matter.
Weirdly, I found myself reminded of Giovanni’s room, which is a very different book, but maybe the Paris setting is why.
zionelizabeth's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0