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kszr's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and challenging idea, but I never got the feeling that she was able to draw out any strong convictions - for herself or her kids. She seemed to be drifting through life, letting others make choices for her all along the way. Would have like much more on the different smells and sounds of the different quarters - it seems too superficial of an examination of what lies beneath.
mnach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
Jerusalem Drawn and Quartered represented the final book entry for this year (5781) for the Israel Between the Pages book club at CBB.
Going into this book, I expected an exploration of the city that was based in anthropology and history. However, the story is more of a personal memoir by the author, Sarah Tuttle-Singer. And for those expecting a pleasant tale, this is not it! If there’s one thing I can say about the writing in this book is that it’s very raw and honest. In the first chapter, Tuttle-Singer shares deeply personal and traumatic experiences that include her being raped on a trip to Israel, being stoned by teenagers at Damascus Gate, and having to deal with the death of her mother from cancer.
Once Tuttle-Singer’s jarring introduction to her life is completed in the first couple chapters, she delves into the main purpose of the book, which is to explore Jerusalem and its people over the course of a year while living in the old city. These explorations occur largely through conversations and interactions with various people in the city. The people represented in the book are interesting types, but none of them linger long enough to become very multi-dimensional. Their fleeting presence in the book also leads to broad and inconclusive generalizations (not offensive generalizations, but generalizations nonetheless).
Throughout the narrative, Tuttle-Singer periodically interjects reflections on her past traumas into the story and attempts to tie them into her current experiences in the city.
There were a handful of stories in the book that stood out to me. There was one about Tuttle-Singer accompanying a friend to the Temple Mount so that the friend could secretly pray. There was another story (which felt poignant given the recent events in Israel) about her seeing an Arab acquaintance making violent declarations against Jews at a protest by Palesitians to reclaim Al-Aqsa Mosque and later seeing that same person show extreme delicacy and compassion towards a kitten found in a pipe. And another story about her daughter re-contextualizing a statement expressed by one of her peers that generalized Arabs.
All in all, though, I believe this book acts as a catalyst for remembrance for those reading it. Those that have been to Jerusalem will trigger personal memories of the city through Tuttle-Singer’s recollections. Those that are looking to learn about Jerusalem from the book will learn as much about it as they would about the people living in Paris through a movie like Paris, je t'aime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
nyertryingtoreadeverything's review
5.0
I read this book a few months ago and since then have struggled to put into words what it meant to me. As Jews we are commanded to never forget Jerusalem. I'm more of a Tel Aviv person, but there is an undeniable spiritual pull to Jerusalem that is undeniable. Every time I go, even though it is often for only one day, I come back with a wealth of stories. The thing about Jerusalem, and what makes it both so complicated and beautiful, is that this spiritual pull to Jerusalem is felt not just by Jews but by Muslims, Christians, Armenians, and so many others.
In this book it is one of the first times that I felt the beauty and complexity jumping off the page. Sarah is a gifted storyteller and I really love the way that she tells the stories of those around her. Through her book, I felt like I wasn't just getting to know Sarah (although she is a fascinating person who I love learning about) but that I was also learning more about people who call Jerusalem home. I am thankful for the wealth of perspectives that she featured in her book. It was like a magical Jerusalem day wrapped into a book.
What was most special for me about this book is that it was a reminder that there are other liberal Zionists out there. People who believe that Israel is the Jewish homeland and that our fate is intertwined with the others who share this land. I think Sarah's perspective is an incredibly important one. I hope that she continues to write and that people continue to read her writing for many more years to come.
In this book it is one of the first times that I felt the beauty and complexity jumping off the page. Sarah is a gifted storyteller and I really love the way that she tells the stories of those around her. Through her book, I felt like I wasn't just getting to know Sarah (although she is a fascinating person who I love learning about) but that I was also learning more about people who call Jerusalem home. I am thankful for the wealth of perspectives that she featured in her book. It was like a magical Jerusalem day wrapped into a book.
What was most special for me about this book is that it was a reminder that there are other liberal Zionists out there. People who believe that Israel is the Jewish homeland and that our fate is intertwined with the others who share this land. I think Sarah's perspective is an incredibly important one. I hope that she continues to write and that people continue to read her writing for many more years to come.
ironi's review against another edition
5.0
I want to start this review with talking about this Monday when I had the chance to meet the author. I've been following Sarah's writing on Facebook and TOI and I love it. So I was really fangirling when meeting her. She was amazing. Not just because of her wisedom and thoughts (although yes) but because of how wam and genuine she was. She managed to make everyone around her feel special and loved. Between if it was compliementing people, listening sincerely, taking a picture of my tattoo or sharing her glass of whiskey with all the participants of the conversation, I am so full of admiration towards her.
So, the book. I'm so happy that this book was so good. It highlighted the best parts of my favorite city and hometown. It enterwined the politics, love, Sarah's own journey and history, the smells and tastes of the city and just managed to make them beautiful together. It showed how it all comes together, broken and scarred yet perfect.
Readers of TOI will recognize some parts but there's so much that's new. Watching it come together was also amazing, seeing the behind the scenes.
Sarah is such a role model to me. It's incredible to hear someone say the exact words you feel, manage to be a Zionist and yet care about the Palestinian cause, to be a perfect mermaid, dance between worlds. I could have quoted three quarters of this book because it's all so pretty.
So, I fear I must end this review short but you guys all need to read this book. It's wondeful.
What I'm Taking with Me
- Understanding someone else's pain does not take away from your truth. That is, admitting Palestinians experienced great pain in 1948 does not mean I'm apologizing for Israel's victory.
- This is a life path you can take. I can actually go live in the Old City and write a book (well, I won't cause that's been done obviously) but I want to do something like this.
- You can befriend anyone. If you stay long enough in a certain place, you will make it home. Even with the bad, we are able to overcome.
So, the book. I'm so happy that this book was so good. It highlighted the best parts of my favorite city and hometown. It enterwined the politics, love, Sarah's own journey and history, the smells and tastes of the city and just managed to make them beautiful together. It showed how it all comes together, broken and scarred yet perfect.
Readers of TOI will recognize some parts but there's so much that's new. Watching it come together was also amazing, seeing the behind the scenes.
Sarah is such a role model to me. It's incredible to hear someone say the exact words you feel, manage to be a Zionist and yet care about the Palestinian cause, to be a perfect mermaid, dance between worlds. I could have quoted three quarters of this book because it's all so pretty.
So, I fear I must end this review short but you guys all need to read this book. It's wondeful.
What I'm Taking with Me
- Understanding someone else's pain does not take away from your truth. That is, admitting Palestinians experienced great pain in 1948 does not mean I'm apologizing for Israel's victory.
- This is a life path you can take. I can actually go live in the Old City and write a book (well, I won't cause that's been done obviously) but I want to do something like this.
- You can befriend anyone. If you stay long enough in a certain place, you will make it home. Even with the bad, we are able to overcome.
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