A review by libraryoflanelle
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire by Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing, Mike Merryman-Lotze

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I am incredibly grateful to have received an audiobook ARC of "Light in Gaza," as I had planned to read the eBook this month. I highly recommend this book, particularly in audiobook format.

 "Light in Gaza" covers a wide array of themes—from collective connection to nature and farming, to the importance of ethical housing and the weaponisation of AI, and the potential reclamation of AI as a tool for resistance.

Edited by Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing, and Mike Merryman-Lotze, and narrated by Amin El Gamal and Hanne Rickert, this collection's most striking aspect is its reminder that the occupation and ethnic cleansing are not new by any means. This collection sheds light not only on the ethnic cleansing and murder of Palestinians at the hands of Israel but also on the realities of day-to-day life under relentless oppression.

With each mention of loss—of human life, of olive trees, of orange trees, or of established family homes or farms—my heart hurt reflecting on the immeasurable loss that has been perpetuated by Israel. Since October alone, over a year after this book was initially compiled, the suffering continues.

The collection is a powerful testament to the resilience of the Palestinian spirit. This truly is a vital read for anyone seeking to understand the realities of life under occupation and the ongoing struggle for justice in Gaza and beyond.

The audiobook's dual narrators enhance the reading experience as you can pick up on the tone and emotion behind stories in a way that only verbal storytelling can. Listening to the audiobook felt like you were hearing from the storytellers themselves. I also appreciated how hearing Arabic phrases spoken aloud within the narrative added to the depth of the personal accounts.

I highly recommend this as a place to start or continue your education around Palestine as this collection is incredibly accessible, varied, and powerful.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC. All opinions are my own.