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A review by openmypages
Fencing with the King by Diana Abu-Jaber
4.0
Checking off a story from another country on my quest to read one from every country in the world.
Amani is an American child of an immigrant - as an adult she returns to Jordan to spend time with her uncle. At first she is enthralled by the culture, glitz and glamor of his life as a friend and advisor to the king. She begins to dig into the family history after being enticed by a poem she finds in her grandmother’s belongings. What she finds is that not all is what it seems.
I really enjoyed the slice of Middle Eastern culture we get in this story. The balance of the Royal life with what it means to live in the shadow of the constant strife in Israel and Palestine. Amani herself wasn’t the most interesting character but rather the stories of her uncle, father and grandmother really drove my interest. There are such powerful stories of pride, love, greed and entitlement. The twist of this family secret shakes not just the family but the future of the country as well. Lots of historical facts, political intrigue and a sprinkling of love make this one a must read.
Thanks to Booksparks and OrangeSky Audio for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
Amani is an American child of an immigrant - as an adult she returns to Jordan to spend time with her uncle. At first she is enthralled by the culture, glitz and glamor of his life as a friend and advisor to the king. She begins to dig into the family history after being enticed by a poem she finds in her grandmother’s belongings. What she finds is that not all is what it seems.
I really enjoyed the slice of Middle Eastern culture we get in this story. The balance of the Royal life with what it means to live in the shadow of the constant strife in Israel and Palestine. Amani herself wasn’t the most interesting character but rather the stories of her uncle, father and grandmother really drove my interest. There are such powerful stories of pride, love, greed and entitlement. The twist of this family secret shakes not just the family but the future of the country as well. Lots of historical facts, political intrigue and a sprinkling of love make this one a must read.
Thanks to Booksparks and OrangeSky Audio for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.