tulsic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rvlgonzalez's review against another edition
4.0
You have to be patient with it a bit. I feel a little weird saying 'the second half makes it' about a book that's 450 pages long, but I feel like there's a topography created in the numbering that holds, 1-500 is like going up a hill, but the bios in the middle feel like reaching a peak and then there's a momentum to 500-1.
One thing to note: the subject matter is two men, both of whom lost children to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Colum McCann is Irish and (as far as I can tell) is not Muslim, Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli, nor any form of Middle Eastern. I personally feel less bothered than I could have that he's appropriating a story because of his particular brand of execution. Everything I've read of McCann's has a sort of 'outsider commenting as immersion' vibe, he's interested in historical trauma and it's capacity to tie people together. Here, he quotes the voices of the individual's who experienced the conflict, borrowing their ethos, instead of arguing he had any of his own. Both men were actively involved in the process and gave their approval. Then, we he's speaking of historical matters, there's a sort of historian storyteller vibe. I don't know how it would feel to someone closer to that history, but for me it didn't feel co-opt-y or tokenizing or gawker-y. Still, it's tough. You always have to ask, 'did you need to be the one to do it' and as interesting a writer I think McCann is, I don't know that the answer is yes.
One thing to note: the subject matter is two men, both of whom lost children to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Colum McCann is Irish and (as far as I can tell) is not Muslim, Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli, nor any form of Middle Eastern. I personally feel less bothered than I could have that he's appropriating a story because of his particular brand of execution. Everything I've read of McCann's has a sort of 'outsider commenting as immersion' vibe, he's interested in historical trauma and it's capacity to tie people together. Here, he quotes the voices of the individual's who experienced the conflict, borrowing their ethos, instead of arguing he had any of his own. Both men were actively involved in the process and gave their approval. Then, we he's speaking of historical matters, there's a sort of historian storyteller vibe. I don't know how it would feel to someone closer to that history, but for me it didn't feel co-opt-y or tokenizing or gawker-y. Still, it's tough. You always have to ask, 'did you need to be the one to do it' and as interesting a writer I think McCann is, I don't know that the answer is yes.
magwin2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A poignant and informative book about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Everyone should read
sallyjaygatsby's review against another edition
3.0
Hm. I didn’t want to like this book but I think I did? I liked the style a lot and I liked the short chapters with historical and scientific interludes. I think at times it feels a little “both sides”-y, and cliche, but at other times the author is clear that the pain of the two fathers and their experiences are not the same. I think I’m still trying to make out my thoughts; I wish I had highlighted more passages! But overall it was an enjoyable read for the style alone. Definitely makes me want to read more of his work.
carmenere's review against another edition
5.0
The simplified definition of an apeirogon, pulled from mathworld.wolfram.com, is a figure with an infinite number of sides.
Perhaps, author Colum McCann, chose this word as the title for this novel to exemplify just how many hands, some unknowingly, contributed to the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict. Like post-it-notes on a refrigerator, McCann gives us snippets of information about birds, music, art and weaponry that sometimes builds upon the story and sometimes has you scratching your head. Some might say, Post-it-Note chapters are a lazy way to write a book, yet,they are meaningful to the story and could be difficult to weave into the story otherwise. Yet, too, it seems in a world of twitter posts and Instagram pictures, short bits of information is what's necessary to grab the attention of people who are too busy to learn more about this bitter conflict full of indignities, segregation and oppression, on both sides.
McCann brings much of this to light in the stories of a Palestinian named Bassam and an Israeli named Rami. Both have young daughters who became victims of the ongoing violence in this volatile area. McCann takes these stories and humanizes them beyond the film clip we see on the six o'clock news. The reader feels their grief and loss, although from opposite sides of the boundary line they are the same. They are humans grieving the same way and adapting to loss the same way. It is an intimate view that goes beyond religion and nationality. Through Bassam and Rami's joint endeavor, they find, and speak on the fact, that justice doesn't come from revenge through more violence.
I looked forward to reading this book from one of my favorite authors but I'm not going to lie, it was a challenge. I put it down several times but its worth the time and effort.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
Perhaps, author Colum McCann, chose this word as the title for this novel to exemplify just how many hands, some unknowingly, contributed to the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict. Like post-it-notes on a refrigerator, McCann gives us snippets of information about birds, music, art and weaponry that sometimes builds upon the story and sometimes has you scratching your head. Some might say, Post-it-Note chapters are a lazy way to write a book, yet,they are meaningful to the story and could be difficult to weave into the story otherwise. Yet, too, it seems in a world of twitter posts and Instagram pictures, short bits of information is what's necessary to grab the attention of people who are too busy to learn more about this bitter conflict full of indignities, segregation and oppression, on both sides.
McCann brings much of this to light in the stories of a Palestinian named Bassam and an Israeli named Rami. Both have young daughters who became victims of the ongoing violence in this volatile area. McCann takes these stories and humanizes them beyond the film clip we see on the six o'clock news. The reader feels their grief and loss, although from opposite sides of the boundary line they are the same. They are humans grieving the same way and adapting to loss the same way. It is an intimate view that goes beyond religion and nationality. Through Bassam and Rami's joint endeavor, they find, and speak on the fact, that justice doesn't come from revenge through more violence.
I looked forward to reading this book from one of my favorite authors but I'm not going to lie, it was a challenge. I put it down several times but its worth the time and effort.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
Bassem and Rami live on either side of the divide, one a Jew living in Jerusalem, the other a Muslim living in Palestine. Both are committed to developing peace after they both lost an innocent daughter to the troubles between their communities.
The fact is that this is a very moving and profound novel which uses haunting imagery to enhance the emotions. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is long-running and politically sensitive, as McCann says, there are a number of countries that Israeli passport holders cannot enter. The suffering of both communities is brought to the fore through the stories of these two men, death, imprisonment and reconciliation. The metaphor that is returned to over and over is that of the birds and the research is immaculate. As McCann says, an apeirogon is an infinitely sided figure and this book has an infinite number of wonderful facets.
The fact is that this is a very moving and profound novel which uses haunting imagery to enhance the emotions. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is long-running and politically sensitive, as McCann says, there are a number of countries that Israeli passport holders cannot enter. The suffering of both communities is brought to the fore through the stories of these two men, death, imprisonment and reconciliation. The metaphor that is returned to over and over is that of the birds and the research is immaculate. As McCann says, an apeirogon is an infinitely sided figure and this book has an infinite number of wonderful facets.
arn2d2's review against another edition
2.0
“Apeirogon: a shape with a countably infinite number of sides.” I approached this book with an open mind and heart with a view to seeing another side of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Despite its beautiful writing and innovative style, this book does not live up to its own title and becomes mired in a plodding one sided diatribe blaming Israel exclusively for the victimhood of the Palestinian people with nary a mention of the despotic, violent and thieving Palestinian leadership which so shamelessly and brazenly subjugates its own people and perpetuates the conflict by its stubborn refusal to renounce violence and meaningfully advance any peace process. A wasted opportunity by an obviously talented writer.
myliteraryseaside's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
binstonbirchill's review against another edition
5.0
Apeirogon is about Israel and Palestine. There are 1001 chapters. The narrative jumps forward and backward in time, jumps from subject to subject without warning or evident connection. Colum McCann took a risk with this novel. I rated it five stars and I’m not even sure the construction of the novel was necessary or beneficial. But in the end I was taken in by McCann’s writing. All the longer chapters I loved. I’m curious what I would have felt if this was written like a normal novel, would it have been even better? Maybe. Possibly. Or maybe this story needed to be told this way. It’s so hard to tell. I’m left wishing he had written it twice, the comparison would be incredible to study. What I can say is that for me he didn’t screw it up.
Not everyone will like the ideas presented, or believe them to be realistic on a large scale. I think that’s okay. Not everyone has to agree, that’s impossible anyways. What’s important is building connections between people, seeing connections between events. Countably infinite connections. If McCann did nothing else with this book he did draw a lot of connections that have the potential to influence the reader in a positive way. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Not everyone will like the ideas presented, or believe them to be realistic on a large scale. I think that’s okay. Not everyone has to agree, that’s impossible anyways. What’s important is building connections between people, seeing connections between events. Countably infinite connections. If McCann did nothing else with this book he did draw a lot of connections that have the potential to influence the reader in a positive way. You can’t ask for much more than that.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
McCann weaves together the stories of two fathers - one a Palestinian, one as Israeli - who have both lost their daughters to violence and have since become activists, working for greater peace and understanding. Both Basaam and Rami are real people, and the book includes many of their own words.
The story is non-linear, and McCann also weaves in short chapters about birds, music, and the Jordan River. The format may frustrate some, but I actually enjoyed it. Apierogon is defined as a shape that has an infinite number of sides. In the US I feel we generally hear things from a point of view sympathetic to the Israeli side. In this book, and through some of the subsequent research I've done to better understand the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, I'm better able to understand more of the many sides to this story.
The story is non-linear, and McCann also weaves in short chapters about birds, music, and the Jordan River. The format may frustrate some, but I actually enjoyed it. Apierogon is defined as a shape that has an infinite number of sides. In the US I feel we generally hear things from a point of view sympathetic to the Israeli side. In this book, and through some of the subsequent research I've done to better understand the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, I'm better able to understand more of the many sides to this story.