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A review by sjgrodsky
Ishmael's Oranges by Claire Hajaj
4.0
Read for the Hadassah book club. I facilitated the discussion of this book: prepared background on the book and the author; led a discussion that (sigh of relief) was lively, civil, and inclusive.
It's hard to separate my opinion of the book from what I learned about the author and the experience of facilitating.
The book has some awkwardnesses as fiction. It is a first novel. The author sometimes tells when she should be showing. The opening scene was confusing at best and didn't create the suspense I think was intended.
But the book takes on so painful and difficult a problem and addresses it with such bravery, such wisdom, such compassion. I feel churlish making any criticism.
That said, I found the author's statements (made during publicity interviews at book release) more eloquent and memorable than the book itself.
Every book gives you some insight into the author's character. I *loved* this woman. If -- when -- Israelis and Palestinians learn to share the same patch of earth it will be because visionaries like Hajaj have shown the way.
It's hard to separate my opinion of the book from what I learned about the author and the experience of facilitating.
The book has some awkwardnesses as fiction. It is a first novel. The author sometimes tells when she should be showing. The opening scene was confusing at best and didn't create the suspense I think was intended.
But the book takes on so painful and difficult a problem and addresses it with such bravery, such wisdom, such compassion. I feel churlish making any criticism.
That said, I found the author's statements (made during publicity interviews at book release) more eloquent and memorable than the book itself.
Every book gives you some insight into the author's character. I *loved* this woman. If -- when -- Israelis and Palestinians learn to share the same patch of earth it will be because visionaries like Hajaj have shown the way.