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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I liked the setup, but was very disappointed with the second half of the book, where on of the characters turns into the worst kind of stereotype.
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Read for the Hadassah book club. I facilitated the discussion of this book: prepared background on the book and the author; led a discussion that (sigh of relief) was lively, civil, and inclusive.
It's hard to separate my opinion of the book from what I learned about the author and the experience of facilitating.
The book has some awkwardnesses as fiction. It is a first novel. The author sometimes tells when she should be showing. The opening scene was confusing at best and didn't create the suspense I think was intended.
But the book takes on so painful and difficult a problem and addresses it with such bravery, such wisdom, such compassion. I feel churlish making any criticism.
That said, I found the author's statements (made during publicity interviews at book release) more eloquent and memorable than the book itself.
Every book gives you some insight into the author's character. I *loved* this woman. If -- when -- Israelis and Palestinians learn to share the same patch of earth it will be because visionaries like Hajaj have shown the way.
It's hard to separate my opinion of the book from what I learned about the author and the experience of facilitating.
The book has some awkwardnesses as fiction. It is a first novel. The author sometimes tells when she should be showing. The opening scene was confusing at best and didn't create the suspense I think was intended.
But the book takes on so painful and difficult a problem and addresses it with such bravery, such wisdom, such compassion. I feel churlish making any criticism.
That said, I found the author's statements (made during publicity interviews at book release) more eloquent and memorable than the book itself.
Every book gives you some insight into the author's character. I *loved* this woman. If -- when -- Israelis and Palestinians learn to share the same patch of earth it will be because visionaries like Hajaj have shown the way.
This story is full of negativity... It only shows the worst in people.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's sad, it involved political issues and it made me cry - just the way I like it. I loved the lovestory between Jude and Salim so much and almost highlighted half of the book because of them. The only thing I cannot digest is the way Salim turned into his father - even if I saw it coming, I wished for their story to end in a happier, more hopeful way.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story follows Salim and Jude who are Palestinian and Jewish respectively. It goes through how both grew up and their backstories to their current situation in life. This book was surprisingly better than I thought it would be and a little sad. The only drawback that I had about this book was that it started off slower than I thought but picked up in the middle and till the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, War
Minor: Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, Grief, Classism
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced