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superzygote's review
3.0
This novel was full of stories -- funny, fascinating, and heartbreaking -- that I am told the author gleaned from his interviews and work with Palestinians over the course of his career as a writer. However, I'm embarrassed to say that I was simply too ignorant of the historical backdrop of the novel to really have a feel for what was going on from one flashback memory to the next. Perhaps I should read up on history first and then give this book another shot.
adele_courge's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
This was a challenging book but I'm very glad I read it. The slow pace, the length, and the disjointed storytelling made it a bit of a struggle to get through. But this tale of Palestinian exil is so rich. There's such beautiful moments in there, so much tragedy, so much anger, especially considering that this long history of displacement and cleansing is still ongoing. Spoiler alert, there's no happy ending here.
ryeo's review against another edition
1.0
حكايا كثيرة عن الآلام الفلسيطينية، عن التهجير والمخيمات.. عن يونس وخليل وشمس ونهيلة....
لكن سرد الياس أرهقني وما فتئت الحكايا تتمدد وتتكرر
لكن سرد الياس أرهقني وما فتئت الحكايا تتمدد وتتكرر
lindentea's review against another edition
I actually want to keep reading this and it’s really well-written but i can feel it ACTIVELY putting me into a reading slump :( sorry but i might pick it back up at another point!!
halftimelord's review
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
The stories this book tells are heartbreaking and important, and (as someone who doesn't know much about the history of Palestine and the region) gives an insight into half a century of history through individual people and their lives.
This is a complex book and at first the jumping between stories, timelines and characters was quite confusing and difficult to read, but after a while I got into the stream of consciousnesses narrative. The book uses this technique to explore themes of memory and storytelling, without taking away too much from the bigger picture and overall story.
This is a complex book and at first the jumping between stories, timelines and characters was quite confusing and difficult to read, but after a while I got into the stream of consciousnesses narrative. The book uses this technique to explore themes of memory and storytelling, without taking away too much from the bigger picture and overall story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
madrtz's review
Very good and beautiful writing. It's slow-paced so I didn't end up finishing it before returning to library.
patchworkculture's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ccallan's review
3.0
This book flows along like a river. Told in the second person (which takes some getting used to), the narrator recalls tale after tale of life, love, and war in Palestine from the 1930s to the 1990s. The narrative flows at the same pace and in the same voice throughout, which continually made me think "I'll never finish this." Yet page after page had me turning to see what the next amazing character would do, or why she did that, or how a whole people deals of with memory of loss and dispersal. For someone like me who knew very little of Palestinian history, the needed details are sprinkled throughout with a light touch, placing characters in their time and space, while still allowing them their human foibles, joys, hopes, and regrets.
michael_k's review against another edition
Ένα μυθιστόρημα που μπλέκει μυριάδες ιστορίες για να δώσει ανάγλυφα τον πόνο και την απελπισία των Παλαιστινίων, χωρίς να γίνεται διδακτικό ή πολιτικό ή να κατηγορεί.
Περισσότερα στο Ex Libris 258.
Περισσότερα στο Ex Libris 258.
mosaabelshamy's review against another edition
5.0
" الذاكرة يا سيدي، هي عملية تنظيم النسيان. وما نفعله الان، انا وانت، هو تنظيم نسياننا. نتحدث عن اشياء وننسى اشياء اخرى. نتذكر كي ننسى، هذا هو جوهر اللعبة. "