A review by chiara_pio
Le Rocher de Tanios by Amin Maalouf

4.0

i really liked how coherent the story was in in it's time in history. i like how different aspects from history, power dynamics, sectarianism and personal envy were interrelated. it's also very true that the "Puissances" (the powerful countries like england at the time...) do still enjoy executing their wars outside their own land. Sometimes the story went too overboard for me but ig that completed the plot line.

i did not like how sometimes it felt like tanios was a puppet and he didn't have an ounce of loyalty if you ask me. i did not see any leadership qualities in him at all. i think he was just acting his age.
it's sad that people had to live under a chief or cheikh to be able to live well. if only they were knowledgeable enough not to be so dependent on inter villages politics to fulfill a life purpose. can't people just love and let live? maybe i'm too sick of it from real life to enjoy it in a book.

i enjoyed reading the book, but i wanted a bit more out of it, even though ik the story was technically coherent. also like why did he never ask his parents if he was truly their son or the bastard of the cheikh?! just went about moping instead of checking the facts.
its a 3.5 stars for me.