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A review by cebolla
Wild Thorns by Sahar Khalifeh
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was the final book on Slingshot’s books to read before they get burnt (or something like that) list, and probably my favorite.
Wild Thorns was published in 1976 in Arabic, and was translated into English fairly recently (I think). It takes place in Palestine and is a story told through the eyes of a few Palestinians living in occupied territories. Some are actively fighting back against the Israeli occupiers, while other’s aren’t; but all are angry and have some kind of analysis of the horrid situation. This was almost 50 years ago, and the situation has gotten exponentially worse, but reading this book sure filled me with anger and despair.
Khalifeh writes in a simple, yet very deep way. The way she manages to convey the feelings of the freedom fighters and the more resigned folks who have taken jobs within “Israel” to support their families, is relatable. Without using any antisemitism or exaggeration, she makes the reader feel the desperation of people just trying to live their lives while constantly being thrown in jail, murdered, and having all of their possessions destroyed or stolen. The descriptions of having to go through checkpoints or being in prison for doing nothing other than being Palestinian is better than any nonfiction account I’ve read.
This is a book that everyone who has any interest in the g*n0c*dE should definitely read. The hopefulness expressed by many characters in this book is absolutely heartbreaking to anyone who has ability to feel. I couldn’t escape the thought that I’m reading something by a person who is of a culture that is getting erased right before our eyes while the world sits around and debates over who the next leader of the world will be, like it matters.
Wild Thorns was published in 1976 in Arabic, and was translated into English fairly recently (I think). It takes place in Palestine and is a story told through the eyes of a few Palestinians living in occupied territories. Some are actively fighting back against the Israeli occupiers, while other’s aren’t; but all are angry and have some kind of analysis of the horrid situation. This was almost 50 years ago, and the situation has gotten exponentially worse, but reading this book sure filled me with anger and despair.
Khalifeh writes in a simple, yet very deep way. The way she manages to convey the feelings of the freedom fighters and the more resigned folks who have taken jobs within “Israel” to support their families, is relatable. Without using any antisemitism or exaggeration, she makes the reader feel the desperation of people just trying to live their lives while constantly being thrown in jail, murdered, and having all of their possessions destroyed or stolen. The descriptions of having to go through checkpoints or being in prison for doing nothing other than being Palestinian is better than any nonfiction account I’ve read.
This is a book that everyone who has any interest in the g*n0c*dE should definitely read. The hopefulness expressed by many characters in this book is absolutely heartbreaking to anyone who has ability to feel. I couldn’t escape the thought that I’m reading something by a person who is of a culture that is getting erased right before our eyes while the world sits around and debates over who the next leader of the world will be, like it matters.