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antiopelle's review against another edition
5.0
Returning to Carthage is the story of the unnamed protagonist, following him from his youth and his first girlfriends, through his marriage and the birth of his children, to the death of his mother. As such, it spans the whole of the human condition, with all its ugliness, love and tenderness and challenges in between.
The first chapter - or short story if you want - tells us about his travelling to Laos, where he is confronted with the greediness of man, but also his own. This was my favorite part and it reminded me somewhat of [b:Plateforme|58378|Plateforme|Michel Houellebecq|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351343895l/58378._SY75_.jpg|2205765], but in a much more milder fashion. As I have traveled a few times to South-East Asia, I was transported back to the sounds, the smells and the feeling of the heat and humidity. It really felt like a trip back there, so wonderfully the scene was rendered.
At first glance the storyteller is quite likable, but just like all of us he has his flaws and a certain disdain towards women certainly forms a part of him. If I can construct the puzzled timeline correctly, he has a girlfriend that has met his parents - which means it is certainly not his second date. Then a fiancee - whose father helps him with his professional aspirations- whom he cheats on in Laos. The relation he has with the woman he dates in Laos is also not harm free. Then he marries someone else, but keeping his eye on other women still. All this is subdued, not really spelled out as important parts in the story, but adding to the shiftiness of the character. Through his own son, we also see that he might have some mental issues in the possibility of being on the spectrum.
Then the last chapter details the last weeks of his dying mother, and having been through it myself, I can say it depicts perfectly how an adult child can feel in these troubled times: a to and fro between the ominous and irrevocable event that is unfolding, and on the other hand the daily chores, the medication, the bureaucracy and the surrounding network that seem too mundane to match the enormity of the unfolding event.
All in all, a beautiful tapestry of love, loss, guilt and the whole spectrum of human emotions, throughout history and over a large number of settings all over the world. Bravo !
A heartfelt thank you to the author Ben Sharafski, for a complimentary copy.
The first chapter - or short story if you want - tells us about his travelling to Laos, where he is confronted with the greediness of man, but also his own. This was my favorite part and it reminded me somewhat of [b:Plateforme|58378|Plateforme|Michel Houellebecq|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351343895l/58378._SY75_.jpg|2205765], but in a much more milder fashion. As I have traveled a few times to South-East Asia, I was transported back to the sounds, the smells and the feeling of the heat and humidity. It really felt like a trip back there, so wonderfully the scene was rendered.
At first glance the storyteller is quite likable, but just like all of us he has his flaws and a certain disdain towards women certainly forms a part of him. If I can construct the puzzled timeline correctly, he has a girlfriend that has met his parents - which means it is certainly not his second date. Then a fiancee - whose father helps him with his professional aspirations- whom he cheats on in Laos. The relation he has with the woman he dates in Laos is also not harm free. Then he marries someone else, but keeping his eye on other women still. All this is subdued, not really spelled out as important parts in the story, but adding to the shiftiness of the character. Through his own son, we also see that he might have some mental issues in the possibility of being on the spectrum.
Then the last chapter details the last weeks of his dying mother, and having been through it myself, I can say it depicts perfectly how an adult child can feel in these troubled times: a to and fro between the ominous and irrevocable event that is unfolding, and on the other hand the daily chores, the medication, the bureaucracy and the surrounding network that seem too mundane to match the enormity of the unfolding event.
All in all, a beautiful tapestry of love, loss, guilt and the whole spectrum of human emotions, throughout history and over a large number of settings all over the world. Bravo !
A heartfelt thank you to the author Ben Sharafski, for a complimentary copy.
micahhortonhallett's review against another edition
3.0
A visceral meditation on love and loss and lust that emphasise the distances between human animals and our endless reaching across the voids between us. Told in prose that is spare and effective.
anitaofplaybooktag's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book of six interconnected stories by and large. I love short stories in general, and I also am a fan of memoirs. These stories read like a memoir in many ways, so memoir fans take note. They are all written in the first person, and I would definitely bet money that they are autobiographical despite being marketed as fiction.
Let's start with the best. The final story -"Waiting" is outstanding. It really shows what the author can do. Personally, I would have enjoyed this story fleshed out as a novel. It really showcases the type of writer Mr. Sharafski is. He has a good sense for the important telling details, and this story of his mother's struggle with terminal illness is very well done in that regard. I could truly picture all the scenes and the pain for all involved. 5 stars for this story.
I also really liked "Annabelle". Here, the narrator's son struggles to make friends, and I was completely engaged with the challenges of the son and the father's concern for him.
On the flip side, "Two Lives Intersected" was the weakest of the stories, and unfortunately "Returning to Carthage" had some of the same issues, but to a lesser extent. I get it. You know some interesting history or have a passion or hobby (coin collecting), and you want to weave it into your story to maybe add something fresh. But in both of these stories, I felt these sidebars just detracted from the story at hand as opposed to illuminating them. In a novel, readers might give you more latitude, but in a short story, these digressions that don't seem to further the plot, don't work for me.
This book of stories is a debut, and I definitely would be interested in the next work from this author. I got this one for free, but I would be willing to pay to read something by him again - and I hope it will be a novel along the lines of Waiting and Annabelle . . .stories with an emotional heart that keeps me reading.
Let's start with the best. The final story -"Waiting" is outstanding. It really shows what the author can do. Personally, I would have enjoyed this story fleshed out as a novel. It really showcases the type of writer Mr. Sharafski is. He has a good sense for the important telling details, and this story of his mother's struggle with terminal illness is very well done in that regard. I could truly picture all the scenes and the pain for all involved. 5 stars for this story.
I also really liked "Annabelle". Here, the narrator's son struggles to make friends, and I was completely engaged with the challenges of the son and the father's concern for him.
On the flip side, "Two Lives Intersected" was the weakest of the stories, and unfortunately "Returning to Carthage" had some of the same issues, but to a lesser extent. I get it. You know some interesting history or have a passion or hobby (coin collecting), and you want to weave it into your story to maybe add something fresh. But in both of these stories, I felt these sidebars just detracted from the story at hand as opposed to illuminating them. In a novel, readers might give you more latitude, but in a short story, these digressions that don't seem to further the plot, don't work for me.
This book of stories is a debut, and I definitely would be interested in the next work from this author. I got this one for free, but I would be willing to pay to read something by him again - and I hope it will be a novel along the lines of Waiting and Annabelle . . .stories with an emotional heart that keeps me reading.
fourtriplezed's review against another edition
4.0
The trials and tribulations of multicultural life come to the fore in this book of seemingly semi-autobiographical, six interrelated short stories.
The last story Waiting was a standout for me, as it was easily relatable to my parent's passing.
I read GR friend Nat K’s review of this book a while back and have reread it just after finishing this book. Nat has covered my thoughts in his excellent summation, and I recommend both the book and Nat’s review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4142728679
The last story Waiting was a standout for me, as it was easily relatable to my parent's passing.
I read GR friend Nat K’s review of this book a while back and have reread it just after finishing this book. Nat has covered my thoughts in his excellent summation, and I recommend both the book and Nat’s review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4142728679
theoverbookedbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Returning to Carthage by Ben Sharafski is a collection of interconnected short stories featuring the same protagonist ( and narrator, in this case ), a man who though originally from Israel is now settled in Australia with his family. We also meet Naoko, his wife who is Japanese and his two children – his daughter, Sophie and his son, Daniel. Though not in perfect chronological order, these stories are set during different stages and social situations of the man’s life and we are given a window into his thoughts, perceptions and reactions towards the people and events described.
In the first story ‘Love and Loss in Laos,’ the protagonist reflects on his own deception and infidelity all the while being critical of swindlers who are out to take advantage of tourists like himself in Laos.In 'Returning to Carthage’, we see the narrator’s fascination with an ancient Carthaginian coin he purchases over the internet. While he ponders over the tumultuous history of the ancient city Carthage he is also plagued by worries about the safety of his wife and child during their upcoming trip to Israel on account of the volatile political scenario in the region. In ‘On Childcare and the Human Condition’ the narrator, now a parent attempts to answer questions about life and death posed by his young inquisitive daughter. ‘Annabelle’ is a cryptic look at relationships and the struggle between compromise and temptation.
Among the six stories in this collection, one of my favorites was ‘Two Lives, Intersected’ that take us back to the family history of the narrator and that of his wife’. We meet the narrator’s grandfather and Naoko’s grandmother, who though hailing from different parts of the world, remains impacted by the trauma of their younger lives brought upon by war, abandonment and the struggle to survive and how seemingly innocent words triggers and brings back a flood of memories and feelings that one cannot escape. ‘Waiting’, the final story in the collection was particularly heart-wrenching with the narrator traveling to Israel to be with his mother, during her final days. The narrator watches helplessly as his mother gradually succumbs to cancer. He can do nothing for her but arrange for palliative care and wait for the inevitable. He is unable to express his emotions for his mother while witnessing members of his family and friends whose gestures of affection towards his mother seem to come so easily to them.
The narrative is enriched by the protagonist’s references to his travels spanning continents (Laos, the Philippines, India and of course, his country of origin, Israel and his adopted country, Australia) and how those places and events have left a mark on his psyche and perceptions towards, love , life and relationships. The stories touch upon themes of love and fidelity, mortality, family history and trauma and its impact across generations and continents, parenting and responsibility towards the ones who depend on us. While I won’t say that I loved all the stories equally (short story collections are always a mixed bag!), I have to admit that the narrative did hold my attention till the very end. The emotions and reactions described in these stories are real and relatable and the simple elegance of the prose renders this a thought-provoking and engaging read.
Thanks to the author for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
In the first story ‘Love and Loss in Laos,’ the protagonist reflects on his own deception and infidelity all the while being critical of swindlers who are out to take advantage of tourists like himself in Laos.In 'Returning to Carthage’, we see the narrator’s fascination with an ancient Carthaginian coin he purchases over the internet. While he ponders over the tumultuous history of the ancient city Carthage he is also plagued by worries about the safety of his wife and child during their upcoming trip to Israel on account of the volatile political scenario in the region. In ‘On Childcare and the Human Condition’ the narrator, now a parent attempts to answer questions about life and death posed by his young inquisitive daughter. ‘Annabelle’ is a cryptic look at relationships and the struggle between compromise and temptation.
Among the six stories in this collection, one of my favorites was ‘Two Lives, Intersected’ that take us back to the family history of the narrator and that of his wife’. We meet the narrator’s grandfather and Naoko’s grandmother, who though hailing from different parts of the world, remains impacted by the trauma of their younger lives brought upon by war, abandonment and the struggle to survive and how seemingly innocent words triggers and brings back a flood of memories and feelings that one cannot escape. ‘Waiting’, the final story in the collection was particularly heart-wrenching with the narrator traveling to Israel to be with his mother, during her final days. The narrator watches helplessly as his mother gradually succumbs to cancer. He can do nothing for her but arrange for palliative care and wait for the inevitable. He is unable to express his emotions for his mother while witnessing members of his family and friends whose gestures of affection towards his mother seem to come so easily to them.
The narrative is enriched by the protagonist’s references to his travels spanning continents (Laos, the Philippines, India and of course, his country of origin, Israel and his adopted country, Australia) and how those places and events have left a mark on his psyche and perceptions towards, love , life and relationships. The stories touch upon themes of love and fidelity, mortality, family history and trauma and its impact across generations and continents, parenting and responsibility towards the ones who depend on us. While I won’t say that I loved all the stories equally (short story collections are always a mixed bag!), I have to admit that the narrative did hold my attention till the very end. The emotions and reactions described in these stories are real and relatable and the simple elegance of the prose renders this a thought-provoking and engaging read.
Thanks to the author for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
abundance_of_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
Won this book through a goodreads giveaway and was pleasantly surprised! The author does a beautiful job of describing-not only-the setting but also the emotions and experiences that the characters are going through. The interconnectedness of the story provides so many perspectives that all work together to bring about this wholesome and thoughtful journey. Really enjoyed the writing style and the story!
Quick and captivating read.
4.25 ⭐️ out of 5
Quick and captivating read.
4.25 ⭐️ out of 5
nerdypotsie's review against another edition
3.0
TW & CW//
Thank you so much to Ben Sharafski for sending me a digital copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
Returning to Carthage is a collection of heartfelt and beautifully written stories that cover topics like love and death. It was very heavy in parts, but I overall enjoyed it and I appreciate the author’s skill at writing such beautiful stories.
Waiting and On Childcare and the Human Condition were the stories that stood out to me the most. They both beautifully handled the topic of death and they felt like stories that I needed to read right now as I’m currently dealing with the fact that one of my relatives will most likely pass very soon. They are hard hitting and Waiting made me cry, but these stories were important ones that needed to be told.
The other stories were interesting as well. I loved how they let me feel like I was truly traveling to a different country and exploring that new place. I also loved the archaeology and history weaved into some of the stories.
This book wasn’t without flaws and there were some parts that left me feeling uncomfortable. The mentions of women, especially in the first few stories, felt very off. The women were constantly described only by their physical appearance and by their relations to men. I’m glad that women were eventually portrayed differently later on in the book, but as a women, it’s hard to see my gender being described in such a superficial way. There were also a couple moments of cheating in these short stories, which is a massive no for me that immediately impacted my feelings on this book.
There were many side tangents in the short stories, too, especially tangents that gave long winded confusing histories of the world. They aren’t necessarily a bad thing for some readers, but they pulled me out of the stories whenever one of these tangents came up.
This collection of stories is one that has definitely impacted me and I'll carry these stories with me as I go through the unavoidable hardships of losing people in the future. Though some things in this book weren’t my favorite, I’d still recommend this one as the two stories talking about death were extremely well written and powerful.
Spoiler
cheating, brief mention of sexual abuse, mentions of suicide bombingsThank you so much to Ben Sharafski for sending me a digital copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
Returning to Carthage is a collection of heartfelt and beautifully written stories that cover topics like love and death. It was very heavy in parts, but I overall enjoyed it and I appreciate the author’s skill at writing such beautiful stories.
Waiting and On Childcare and the Human Condition were the stories that stood out to me the most. They both beautifully handled the topic of death and they felt like stories that I needed to read right now as I’m currently dealing with the fact that one of my relatives will most likely pass very soon. They are hard hitting and Waiting made me cry, but these stories were important ones that needed to be told.
The other stories were interesting as well. I loved how they let me feel like I was truly traveling to a different country and exploring that new place. I also loved the archaeology and history weaved into some of the stories.
This book wasn’t without flaws and there were some parts that left me feeling uncomfortable. The mentions of women, especially in the first few stories, felt very off. The women were constantly described only by their physical appearance and by their relations to men. I’m glad that women were eventually portrayed differently later on in the book, but as a women, it’s hard to see my gender being described in such a superficial way. There were also a couple moments of cheating in these short stories, which is a massive no for me that immediately impacted my feelings on this book.
There were many side tangents in the short stories, too, especially tangents that gave long winded confusing histories of the world. They aren’t necessarily a bad thing for some readers, but they pulled me out of the stories whenever one of these tangents came up.
This collection of stories is one that has definitely impacted me and I'll carry these stories with me as I go through the unavoidable hardships of losing people in the future. Though some things in this book weren’t my favorite, I’d still recommend this one as the two stories talking about death were extremely well written and powerful.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Life, love, and loss.
In this book of six interconnected short stories, Israeli-Australian writer Ben Sharafski takes us on a journey around the world, through different perspectives on life and involving different cultures and generations. Of the six stories, my least favourite was ‘Love and Lies in Laos’. Not, I hasten to add, because of any deficiency in the writing, but because of the story:
‘Could duplicity be that simple, just a matter of brushing aside any inconvenient truths?’
My favourites were ‘Two Lives, Intersected’ and the final story, ‘Waiting’. The first of these reminds us of the impact of past lived experiences on contemporary life, as World War II Manchuria has its own impact on a contemporary wedding in Sydney. The second, ‘Waiting’ is a story many of us will be able to relate to: the illness and decline of a parent; strength replaced by weakness; independence surrendering to dependency; the importance of the past as the future disappears and the present is consumed by the minutiae of maintenance and the indignity of a body’s failure. In ‘Waiting’ this is heightened by distance: the need for the son to travel from Australia to Israel, leaving his own family behind to be with his mother.
The other three stories are also thoughtful and enjoyable. ’Returning to Carthage’ takes us into the past, while considering unrest in the present. When is a good time to take a young family to Israel? The visit is important to maintain family ties, but unrest makes the young father cautious.
‘On Childcare and the Human Condition’ takes us to a different space, one in which the questions of children cause adults to stop, to think and to wonder about life (and death).
‘Annabelle’ is a reminder of the drudgery, the draining routine that is part of suburban family life. Our narrator has moved well beyond the excitement of a tryst in Laos but does not yet have to face his mother’s mortality.
I enjoyed this collection of six thoughtful stories, illustrating different phases in the life (and associated responsibility) of our male narrator. I will be revisiting these stories and will be looking forward to reading more of Ben Sharafski’s writing in future.
Note: My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In this book of six interconnected short stories, Israeli-Australian writer Ben Sharafski takes us on a journey around the world, through different perspectives on life and involving different cultures and generations. Of the six stories, my least favourite was ‘Love and Lies in Laos’. Not, I hasten to add, because of any deficiency in the writing, but because of the story:
‘Could duplicity be that simple, just a matter of brushing aside any inconvenient truths?’
My favourites were ‘Two Lives, Intersected’ and the final story, ‘Waiting’. The first of these reminds us of the impact of past lived experiences on contemporary life, as World War II Manchuria has its own impact on a contemporary wedding in Sydney. The second, ‘Waiting’ is a story many of us will be able to relate to: the illness and decline of a parent; strength replaced by weakness; independence surrendering to dependency; the importance of the past as the future disappears and the present is consumed by the minutiae of maintenance and the indignity of a body’s failure. In ‘Waiting’ this is heightened by distance: the need for the son to travel from Australia to Israel, leaving his own family behind to be with his mother.
The other three stories are also thoughtful and enjoyable. ’Returning to Carthage’ takes us into the past, while considering unrest in the present. When is a good time to take a young family to Israel? The visit is important to maintain family ties, but unrest makes the young father cautious.
‘On Childcare and the Human Condition’ takes us to a different space, one in which the questions of children cause adults to stop, to think and to wonder about life (and death).
‘Annabelle’ is a reminder of the drudgery, the draining routine that is part of suburban family life. Our narrator has moved well beyond the excitement of a tryst in Laos but does not yet have to face his mother’s mortality.
I enjoyed this collection of six thoughtful stories, illustrating different phases in the life (and associated responsibility) of our male narrator. I will be revisiting these stories and will be looking forward to reading more of Ben Sharafski’s writing in future.
Note: My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
lectrixnoctis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In his spectacular new short story collection, Israeli-Australian author Ben Sharafski explores the dramas creeping under the surface of ordinary life in suburban Sydney in six intertwined stories. Passionate, open, and at times disturbing, "Returning to Carthage" does not shy away from dealing with the significant issues: love, loss, betrayal, family bonds and the skill of living.
Thank you, Ben Sharafski, for sending me an advance copy of your book in exchange for an honest review!
Most of the stories are written in the past tense, with even a few flashbacks to older days or someone's life in the past. The writing style is quite detailed and may not be for everyone, but I did enjoy it immensely.
However, this book is not without flaws, and some parts of the book left me feeling a bit weirded out. I thought that the only purpose of women in the first few stories was their relationships with their male counterparts and was only described by their physical appearance. It felt superficial only to use women as a part of belonging/treasure. I am nonetheless grateful that portraited changed in the upcoming stories. That is why I had particular issues with the first story, and I think it is below the other stories' standard of content and writing.
I would recommend this book since the topics are quite important and how it is described excellent, but if you're not really into challenging issues or even short stories, this book is in for you.
TW: Cheating, Loss, Grief, War
Thank you, Ben Sharafski, for sending me an advance copy of your book in exchange for an honest review!
Most of the stories are written in the past tense, with even a few flashbacks to older days or someone's life in the past. The writing style is quite detailed and may not be for everyone, but I did enjoy it immensely.
However, this book is not without flaws, and some parts of the book left me feeling a bit weirded out. I thought that the only purpose of women in the first few stories was their relationships with their male counterparts and was only described by their physical appearance. It felt superficial only to use women as a part of belonging/treasure. I am nonetheless grateful that portraited changed in the upcoming stories. That is why I had particular issues with the first story, and I think it is below the other stories' standard of content and writing.
I would recommend this book since the topics are quite important and how it is described excellent, but if you're not really into challenging issues or even short stories, this book is in for you.
TW: Cheating, Loss, Grief, War
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Grief
melcat's review against another edition
3.0
The depiction of parenting, children and the reflexion on mortality were by far my favorite part and the highlights of this novel. There is rawness in Sharafski’s writing on these topics, his voice is sincere, introspective and it made the book very quick to read, as I wanted to see what was next. I could imagine a whole book going a bit further, as it seems that the author is comfortable and very effective on these subjects.
The first story was a bit below in quality compared to the rest, I do believe it brings downs the book a little. As the stories are interconnected by the same narrator between different times of his life, I can imagine that in the first part we find him at a very immature mindset, which might explain why the writing and general atmosphere of the first story seems so detached from the rest. The last story is heartbreaking, but again on the realistic side. It made me reflect quite a lot, I still do a few days later.
I finished Returning to Carthage in one seating! I really recommend this book for anyone who like short stories. Thanks a lot Ben for gifting me a copy of your book.
The first story was a bit below in quality compared to the rest, I do believe it brings downs the book a little. As the stories are interconnected by the same narrator between different times of his life, I can imagine that in the first part we find him at a very immature mindset, which might explain why the writing and general atmosphere of the first story seems so detached from the rest. The last story is heartbreaking, but again on the realistic side. It made me reflect quite a lot, I still do a few days later.
I finished Returning to Carthage in one seating! I really recommend this book for anyone who like short stories. Thanks a lot Ben for gifting me a copy of your book.