A review by anj_t
Kingdom of Olives and Ash: Writers Confront the Occupation by Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

As with any essay collection, a handful of contributions fall flat for content or writing style or perspective. But I found the majority interesting, a few even moving. If you are motivated to read more about Palestine after October 7th I would note two things: 1) this should not be your first choice if you know nothing about the history of Israel/Palestinian relations. If you have a broader context about the Nakba, settlements, the IDF, to name a few, the best essays will be more fulfilling. And 2) most of the contributors are not from Gaza, the West Bank or Israel so they observe, interview, research and write from a different perspective. I have already read some excellent books written by Palestinians and I believe it’s vital to read “own voices” but “Kingdom of Olives and Ash” was a fresh way to seek more insight beyond current headlines and social media vitriol and misinformation. 

Essays I recommend include:
Sami
Playing for Palestine
High Places
Journey to the West Bank
Giant in a Cage
Bloated Time and the Death of Meaning