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jacks623's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emwil13's review
4.0
Good novel for an intro to the Israel/Palestine conflict
Although fiction, this book will give you a decent summary of the initial battles for Jerusalem in 1947/1948 in the form of a novel.
Although fiction, this book will give you a decent summary of the initial battles for Jerusalem in 1947/1948 in the form of a novel.
trish_c_nl's review
3.0
I was interested in reading this book because I know very little about this point in history. I thought that the use of multiple perspectives was helpful and brought in some interesting dynamics. That also made listening to this book rather than reading it a bit more of a challenge. Some of the perspective shifts were quite abrupt, and it took some time to realise that the story was shifting. I think that this would have been a much better read than listen.
bookswithmaddi's review
1.0
[ 1.5 stars ]
I wanted to love this book SO BAD but it fell so flat for me. It covers the narrative of the emergence of Israel as a state, which is something so rarely covered in historical fiction. The subject matter itself was incredibly interesting to me but I think I would've rather just read a non-fiction book about this time rather than this.
My biggest problem with this book was the writing. I understand that this is a translation so I'm not sure exactly how that effects the writing. However, what I read was choppy, and all over the place. There was no fluidity, it randomly jumped from perspective to perspective with no indication or warning. I had such a hard time keeping track of the myriad of characters thrown into the plot. Speaking of the characters, they were one dimensional and had absolutely no depth. I had only a slight interest in about two of the characters who were somewhat fleshed out. Many character's personalities were also poorly planned, they quickly changed their fundamental beliefs for the sake of the story line.
In addition this book was very biased. While it claims not to be the author clearly shows a preference and resolves the stories of the Jews while leaving stories unresolved for the Arab characters. I saw Judith and Hana as equals on either sides of the violence, when comparing the stories of these two characters who should've been equal you can clearly see the bias. A much more effective approach to this book would've been following just these two characters and the way their lives aligned to expose the equality between the two sides rather than creating a further divide. The abundance of perspectives added nothing to this book except confusion. I can see the effort the author was trying to make by including so many different narratives but ultimately it was executed poorly.
I wanted to love this book SO BAD but it fell so flat for me. It covers the narrative of the emergence of Israel as a state, which is something so rarely covered in historical fiction. The subject matter itself was incredibly interesting to me but I think I would've rather just read a non-fiction book about this time rather than this.
My biggest problem with this book was the writing. I understand that this is a translation so I'm not sure exactly how that effects the writing. However, what I read was choppy, and all over the place. There was no fluidity, it randomly jumped from perspective to perspective with no indication or warning. I had such a hard time keeping track of the myriad of characters thrown into the plot. Speaking of the characters, they were one dimensional and had absolutely no depth. I had only a slight interest in about two of the characters who were somewhat fleshed out. Many character's personalities were also poorly planned, they quickly changed their fundamental beliefs for the sake of the story line.
In addition this book was very biased. While it claims not to be the author clearly shows a preference and resolves the stories of the Jews while leaving stories unresolved for the Arab characters. I saw Judith and Hana as equals on either sides of the violence, when comparing the stories of these two characters who should've been equal you can clearly see the bias. A much more effective approach to this book would've been following just these two characters and the way their lives aligned to expose the equality between the two sides rather than creating a further divide. The abundance of perspectives added nothing to this book except confusion. I can see the effort the author was trying to make by including so many different narratives but ultimately it was executed poorly.
katmarhan's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
9.5/10
This book takes place over the span of a few years right after WWII in a place still riven by strife, Palestine & Israel. It’s a heart-rending story of people on all sides driven by love and hate, by faith and despair, by power and fear, by anger and hope, by resentment and connection, by revenge and trust, by passion and frustration. As the reader, I felt all those emotions, abut mostly I felt sadness that 80 years after the events described in this book, the conflicts drag on, the atrocities continue, and resolution seem as unattainable as it was in the late forties. The author is quite even-handed and includes a list of resources.
This book takes place over the span of a few years right after WWII in a place still riven by strife, Palestine & Israel. It’s a heart-rending story of people on all sides driven by love and hate, by faith and despair, by power and fear, by anger and hope, by resentment and connection, by revenge and trust, by passion and frustration. As the reader, I felt all those emotions, abut mostly I felt sadness that 80 years after the events described in this book, the conflicts drag on, the atrocities continue, and resolution seem as unattainable as it was in the late forties. The author is quite even-handed and includes a list of resources.
barefootmegz's review
4.0
An important book during this time of war and genocide. Like [b:Mornings in Jenin|6692041|Mornings in Jenin|Susan Abulhawa|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312020216l/6692041._SX50_.jpg|311976], but less romanticised and more brutal. I got a better understanding of Israel/Palestine history from Where the Desert Meets the Sea than I have been able to find anywhere else. I do feel like Sonne's bias shines through in some parts, but he mostly manages to portray all sides.
bridrizzle72's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
shanembailey's review
5.0
A brilliant book
A book about the conflict over Jerusalem after World War 2 that shows the human cost of the war on both sides that continues to this day. Wonderful characters representative of those in the real conflicts that occurred that show the daily tension and horror felt on both sides.
A book about the conflict over Jerusalem after World War 2 that shows the human cost of the war on both sides that continues to this day. Wonderful characters representative of those in the real conflicts that occurred that show the daily tension and horror felt on both sides.
foxgo's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
zellm's review against another edition
2.0
This book was interesting but felt two-dimensional since there were so many characters and it kept jumping between them. It felt disjointed and the gaps in time and perspective shifts made it hard to follow. I kept forgetting and having to look back to see who the characters being mentioned were.