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A review by readwithmeemz
Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative by Isabella Hammad
5.0
EDIT: I’ve never done this before, but just a few days after listening to this brilliant audiobook (& the original speech) - I was given a copy of this book, and when I got home this evening, I read it again. This book is brilliant. Poignant, thought-provoking, and truly stunning. This book is a masterpiece.
“How many Palestinians need to die for one soldier to have his epiphany."
This was a brilliant work, using the lens of narrative device to frame the realities of Palestinian people, and their lives under occupation, erasure, and genocide. Initially written as a speech presented on the 20th anniversary of Edward Said's death, just a few days before October 7th, 2023. I don't want to say its eerily prescient, because the truth is, Palestinian people have been displaced, and lived under occupation and violence for over 75 years. However, it is surreal how much truer and more urgent this book feels now, almost a year to the date since the speech was given, and approaching one year of Israeli bombardment and genocide, which has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian people, hundreds of Lebanese people, and the injuries, displacement, imprisonment, and traumatization of thousands.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and that adds another dimension, as we hear excerpts from the actual speech delivered. This is short, but incredibly impactful. A truly powerful, necessary, brilliant, and beautiful work.
I received this audiobook from the publisher, through Netgalley.
“How many Palestinians need to die for one soldier to have his epiphany."
This was a brilliant work, using the lens of narrative device to frame the realities of Palestinian people, and their lives under occupation, erasure, and genocide. Initially written as a speech presented on the 20th anniversary of Edward Said's death, just a few days before October 7th, 2023. I don't want to say its eerily prescient, because the truth is, Palestinian people have been displaced, and lived under occupation and violence for over 75 years. However, it is surreal how much truer and more urgent this book feels now, almost a year to the date since the speech was given, and approaching one year of Israeli bombardment and genocide, which has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian people, hundreds of Lebanese people, and the injuries, displacement, imprisonment, and traumatization of thousands.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and that adds another dimension, as we hear excerpts from the actual speech delivered. This is short, but incredibly impactful. A truly powerful, necessary, brilliant, and beautiful work.
I received this audiobook from the publisher, through Netgalley.