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julias's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cynthiam's review against another edition
3.0
This is an historical fiction novel that focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is a Prisoner Z, an Israeli, who is imprisoned in a “black prison” for having become sympathetic to the Palestinians and wanting the killing to stop. There is the General (Ariel Sharon) who ordered him held but who is now in a coma. There is the woman Z fell in love with, but who lured him back to Israel to be arrested. And there is the Mapmaker, a Palestinian, who that same woman falls in love with despite the two of them rarely being able to be together. At the end of the book the woman and the Mapmaker meet in a highly-secret military tunnel between Gaza and Israel -- thus the title of the book. Most of the characters in the book want the violence to stop, but they are trapped in their roles. Definitely thought provoking.
Note: In my star rating system 3 stars = good.
Note: In my star rating system 3 stars = good.
aribookie's review against another edition
3.0
Very much enjoyed this book, though I think it assumed a lot of its reader.
joreads7's review against another edition
4.0
The fractured narrative doesn't quite cohere, but the book explores some interesting themes and questions and Englander is a great writer. I did wonder why all the female characters had names (Shira, Ruth), and all the male characters did not (Z, the Guard, the General). Seemed like a weird gendered choice that didn't say anything in particular.
zarazuck's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. It took me a while to get into this, and I don't know nearly enough about Israel and Palestine, but the characters were compelling. The theme of "limbo" was powerful.
guiltyfeat's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was very fine. Perhaps the most Israeli novel I have ever read, combining a deep love of the country with real ambivalence for the things such love demands of its people. It's a bold narrative choice to write a number of chapters from the POV of Ariel Sharon... while he was in permanent vegetative state, but that's just the kind of book this is. Probably not for everyone, but very definitely for me.
char1otte's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting topic and every little scene, be it dialogue or descriptive, is gripping and written beautifully. However, I seem to have trouble understanding why the snippets of the story are strung together in this particular way.
Starting this book, I would read a chapter or two, put the book down as nothing 'made sense yet', and then start again from the beginning the next time I picked it up to read. I would get a little further each time, and get into each character's account - but I still felt lost in the story, lost in between the words and sentences. Only after a long while did certain narratives begin to make some sense to me and it became easier for me to read on. I do not want to discredit the author's incredible talent of writing a fascinating story. I loved the topic and it made me want to visit the places described in the book even more than before, but as an outsider to the conflict thematised in this work I don't believe I could fully capture and appreciate the brilliance of following 'normal' people's stories.
Even though I cannot write a raving review like so many others, this book is still so worth a read. I hope you can feel at home in the book faster than I could.
Starting this book, I would read a chapter or two, put the book down as nothing 'made sense yet', and then start again from the beginning the next time I picked it up to read. I would get a little further each time, and get into each character's account - but I still felt lost in the story, lost in between the words and sentences. Only after a long while did certain narratives begin to make some sense to me and it became easier for me to read on. I do not want to discredit the author's incredible talent of writing a fascinating story. I loved the topic and it made me want to visit the places described in the book even more than before, but as an outsider to the conflict thematised in this work I don't believe I could fully capture and appreciate the brilliance of following 'normal' people's stories.
Even though I cannot write a raving review like so many others, this book is still so worth a read. I hope you can feel at home in the book faster than I could.
kathrynje's review
4.0
I enjoyed this as an audio book. I might not have liked is it as much in print. For some reason audio is easier for me if the story is disjointed. Also the audio was read by one of my favorite voice actors, Mark Beamhall. Beautiful & elegant writing. Fans of intricate spy craft may enjoy this.
wordlover's review against another edition
2.0
If you've always wanted to read a novel about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where one of the characters is Ariel Sharon in a coma, this might be your cup of tea. Otherwise it's surprisingly... boring. With his recent projects, Englander has wandered into a narrow world that just doesn't interest me.