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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
In the past couple of years I've read several non-fiction pieces about Palestine and the genocide in Gaza, but this is the first time I've read a novel by a Palestinian author, and it just goes to show the importance of fiction when it comes to discussing real-life situations and showing the humanity of the people involved. This is a beautifully written, heartfelt and thought-provoking book that examines the possible reactions of Israeli society to the sudden, unexplained disappearance of the entire Palestinian population. Ibtisam Azem seamlessly alternates between a more detached, systemic viewpoint—showing how the various faces of Zionism, however different they may seem at first, end up producing the same results and effectively condoning the same atrocities—and more personal, individual perspectives.
The contrast between how Ariel and Alaa view Jaffa/Tel Aviv was fascinating. The former refuses to acknowledge its past and insists on focusing on the future, and as a result his journalistic writing feels hollow and unsubstantial. At the end of the novel, he only manages to say something meaningful by appropriating bits and pieces of Alaa's journal, which is full of emotion even if his own knowledge of Palestinian history is limited by his Israeli upbringing. Ariel supposedly joins the IDF to "improve it from within", but he never actually does anything to stop the torture and murder of Palestinian civilians. He claims to oppose the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but is fine with taking over his friend's apartment as soon as he disappears.
Even though the story takes place in the 21st century, its main focus is history, and how its preservation and remembrance is the basis of all anti-colonial resistance. I thought the author did a great job of illustrating that point through the characters of Alaa and his grandmother, who desperately try to hold on to their identity even if the former struggles to fully understand it and the latter is in too much pain to put her memories into words.
Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
The contrast between how Ariel and Alaa view Jaffa/Tel Aviv was fascinating. The former refuses to acknowledge its past and insists on focusing on the future, and as a result his journalistic writing feels hollow and unsubstantial. At the end of the novel, he only manages to say something meaningful by appropriating bits and pieces of Alaa's journal, which is full of emotion even if his own knowledge of Palestinian history is limited by his Israeli upbringing. Ariel supposedly joins the IDF to "improve it from within", but he never actually does anything to stop the torture and murder of Palestinian civilians. He claims to oppose the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but is fine with taking over his friend's apartment as soon as he disappears.
Even though the story takes place in the 21st century, its main focus is history, and how its preservation and remembrance is the basis of all anti-colonial resistance. I thought the author did a great job of illustrating that point through the characters of Alaa and his grandmother, who desperately try to hold on to their identity even if the former struggles to fully understand it and the latter is in too much pain to put her memories into words.
Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Immensely sad and harrowing look at life in Palestine, Azem doesn't shy from any topic or from truly delving into the minds of both Palestinians and Israelis. I recommend Azem's novel, as I feel I have learnt a lot and I am thinking more about Palestine and what has happened there in ways I hadn't considered before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Murder, War
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This made me feel so many emotions that it's hard to narrow it down to just one. It's a novel I think everyone should read, especially given the ongoing devastation and genocide in Gaza. This book isn't afraid to ask tough questions about Palestine/Israel's existence as it currently is, or explore the generational pain of Palestinians both inside and out of Israel. If you're able, I highly recommend you read this book, but fair trigger warning on what is explored here. Though the characters are fictional, the story is ever-relevant, and now more than ever we must be uplifting Palestinian voices and telling their stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Violence
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective