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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
If you are going to Petra in Jordan, read this book. Almost every story she tells will resonate with a place where you have clambered up to get a view, almost fallen off a ledge, or stood in wonder gazing upwards at two thousand years of history. We met her son, who still runs the business his father started in Petra in the 1970s, except now he sells silver jewelry handmade by bedouin women. If you want to see beyond the touts and tours, this is a book about the warmth of shared, marginal living almost without money, a lifestyle that has endured in the same place for hundreds of years almost unchanged.
As a transplanted New Zealander, Marguerite once had the opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth, when the sovereign came for a state visit with King Hussein. Mohammed (Marguerite's husband) urged her to attend and said, "I met the king when his helicopter landed by the Royal Tombs [in Petra]. Mushtarak" (common, normal). He must have been an amazing man, and she is an amazing woman. When the press on the occasion of the royal visit asked Marguerite her motivation for living in a cave without running water, she replied, "He is."
An inspiring, funny, eye-opening book. Deeply moving though episodic. If you want another reminder how generous and resilient people can be, read this book (and go to Petra!).
As a transplanted New Zealander, Marguerite once had the opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth, when the sovereign came for a state visit with King Hussein. Mohammed (Marguerite's husband) urged her to attend and said, "I met the king when his helicopter landed by the Royal Tombs [in Petra]. Mushtarak" (common, normal). He must have been an amazing man, and she is an amazing woman. When the press on the occasion of the royal visit asked Marguerite her motivation for living in a cave without running water, she replied, "He is."
An inspiring, funny, eye-opening book. Deeply moving though episodic. If you want another reminder how generous and resilient people can be, read this book (and go to Petra!).
The synopsis is compelling but the narrative was not cativating at all. I dragged myself through this book which ended up ruining the experience despite the interesting story.
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The tone of the book was overall compassionate and curious, despite Western tendencies to exoticise or look down upon nomadic cultures in particular. I also enjoyed how authentic Marguerite’s voice felt, she depicted the evolution of her thoughts and connections with her family/communities in a way that felt interesting and honest. I felt I watched her grow and change from her first to final years in Petra. The ending was melancholy, and almost shockingly romantic, despite the love between Mohammed and Marguerite being clear throughout. I think the story is further enhanced if you have visited Petra, as the sense of place and connection to it grounds the story, and the people(s) and cultures depicted therein.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
medium-paced
The writing style is not quite to my taste. The narrative seems jarred, like it's trying to justify a book deal when in reality there isn't much of a story. There is very little suspense and drama, but I would still recommend this book for its few saving graces.
While the author scorns at some Bedouin traditions that are superstitous or unhealthy, she does not overgeneralise, conflate Bedouin culture with Islamic values, or look down on Bedouins. She also sheds light on a way of life that is generally deemed primitive but is actually rich and easily misunderstood.
While the author scorns at some Bedouin traditions that are superstitous or unhealthy, she does not overgeneralise, conflate Bedouin culture with Islamic values, or look down on Bedouins. She also sheds light on a way of life that is generally deemed primitive but is actually rich and easily misunderstood.
informative
reflective
medium-paced