This book gives a detailed look at both sides of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians and it focuses on the stories of 2 families, and 2 peoThis book gives a detailed look at both sides of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians and it focuses on the stories of 2 families, and 2 people in particular: Bashir a Palestinian and Dalia a Jew. There is a lot of historical details woven in with Bashir and Dalia’s lives. It can get a little dry at times but is essential to understanding why things got to where they are now. It makes your head and your heart hurt for both people groups.
I was raised with a pro-Israel pro-Zionism belief that I’ve been questioning recently with all that’s been going on lately in Gaza. I should’ve been questioning it far sooner. What has been done to the Palestinians since 1948 by Israel is unconscionable in so many respects. They pretty much created the monster they fear. Which could’ve been avoided if fear (and greed?) hadn’t been dictating their political maneuvering. However, you can see how the Holocaust and the centuries of oppression made it so. Unfortunately it’s a case of the victims became the victimizers.
The book shows how Bashir and Dalia try to come to an understanding but neither can see a way forward that resolves all the issues to each other’s satisfaction. Dalia wants to compromise but Bashir cannot accept the solutions she suggests, mainly because more is asked of the Palestinians than the Israelis. The Israelis keep the power, the Palestinians get hardly anything.
I’m a compromiser by nature and instinctively look to find ways to make things work. I felt both sides should find ways to sacrifice and come to a workable solution that favours both people groups. Yet� is there a good solution to be found? Better minds than mine have been struggling for years with this problem and haven’t found one.
I’ve never had my home and livelihood forcibly taken from me. I’ve never lived under an occupying government who fears and hates my family or nationality. I’ve never had to live in fear of suicide bombings or bus bombings or police taking my husband and torturing and holding him on suspicion alone for decades. Or fear for my teenaged son going to school or being targeted because he’s of “that age� and could be or become a threat. This book made me put myself in another person’s shoes and consider what it would be like—on both sides of the conflict. There’s no one side is right, one side is wrong here. No easy answers.
The author did show how there have been courageous people that spoke up against what violated human rights and protested evils done by their governments against their enemies. Their voices have been there all along, it’s a matter of whether we will listen and add our voices to theirs. Violence seems to beget violence in a never ending cycle of retribution. Is there a better way? ...more
The written style of this book is teenaged-boy-poet. Very little in the way of punctuation. (Commas are pretty much absent) Competing storylines that The written style of this book is teenaged-boy-poet. Very little in the way of punctuation. (Commas are pretty much absent) Competing storylines that bounce back and forth between sentences like a tennis ball. A multitude plethora of Run on sentences. Paragraphs that last a page. Basically every grammatical error we have taught out of us in school English classes. It takes some getting used to. There is a large and varied cast of characters. There are a lot of words upon words and a lot of thoughtful descriptions that ground you in place for a time. It is book that I needed to read in sips because it is an acquired taste. Rich. Bitter. Yet endearingly sweet and so so wise. I couldn’t connect with the characters until maybe halfway through and then all the tangled threads start to come together into a stunning tapestry. It was worth the journey and it is a book that’ll linger in my mind I’m sure for a very long time. ...more
I really loved this memoir! I found it one of the best I’ve read, because it’s not just telling you her life story it’s giving other very useful resouI really loved this memoir! I found it one of the best I’ve read, because it’s not just telling you her life story it’s giving other very useful resources for tackling their own traumas and problems. I’ve heard people complaining that everyone these days are talking about their traumas and childhood woundings and how it’s suddenly everywhere and how it never used to be this way. Well, I remember how back in the day we called it baggage. Different words for the same thing. I loved how the author addressed how previous generations endured truly traumatic events and how so little of that was addressed but how those traumas have bled down through the generations following. Being perpetuated to their children and grandchildren and on and on. Our bodies literally carry remnants of our parent’s traumas in our DNA. In my own experience I sense the truth in this. The first third of the book is sad and hollowing to read as Stephanie relates the abuse she faced as a child. The number it did on her emotionally and psychologically. The second third relates her struggle to survive adulthood, find healing and understanding for what happened to her—why her parents were the way they were, why her extended family acted the way they did. It talks about the effects of culture and racism on people’s brains and bodies. It shows her approach to finding resources and therapies that both helped and made things worse. The last third concentrates on her relationship with a therapist who helps her immensely and gives her the tools to understand and love herself and grow into the community of friends and family around her. This section is highly valuable for anyone who has experienced trauma in their lives, and for people whose loved ones may have suffered traumas and have C-PTSD. It’s an extremely hopeful book, despite the subject matter. And I loved that the author doesn’t state she’s “healed� as in done and dusted, kicked her trauma to the curb, but that she is still and will always be fighting “the beast�. It’s just now she’s got an arsenal of weapons and tools to do battle with. Along with a supportive community that she now recognizes and leans into. Anyway, this book I recommend highly! ...more
I feel I have no words to say how Jessica’s story of survival made me feel� I need time to process this heartbreaking, achingly vulnerable and tragic I feel I have no words to say how Jessica’s story of survival made me feel� I need time to process this heartbreaking, achingly vulnerable and tragic memoir. ...more
The intricacy of the characters and plot and setting of this book is mind boggling. The questions and theology tackled within the pages phenomenal. ThThe intricacy of the characters and plot and setting of this book is mind boggling. The questions and theology tackled within the pages phenomenal. The conclusion scintillating. However, the journey to that conclusion was dark and painfully slow and boring in spots. Making it a hard book to rate. I liked it, I’m better for reading it, but it wasn’t enjoyable reading. Maybe because I was reading at a chaotic time of year (the weeks before Christmas) I had to put it down and read other lighter happier books at various points. Still, I determined to finish and I’m very glad I did. I suppose this book for some readers might better be enjoyed in instalments like a tv series. A set of episodes with breaks. It would make for an epic TV series of Lord of the Rings/Star Wars proportions. It will make you consider and reconsider what you know of life. ...more
Virginia Hall was a gritty, no nonsense, get the job done whatever the cost sort of person. She reminded me of a sort of Scarlet Pimpernel for the FreVirginia Hall was a gritty, no nonsense, get the job done whatever the cost sort of person. She reminded me of a sort of Scarlet Pimpernel for the French Resistance. Masterminding prison breaks, as well as sometimes being directly involved despite her “disability�. She used disguises to great effect and had a great team set up that was extremely effective and daring in their own rights. It was a tragedy to see what happened to these brave people. She was constantly and continually underestimated by her many of her superiors despite showing them time and time again she was a true leader and very effective and skilled at a variety of tasks no matter the danger. All they could see was a woman with a wooden leg. Yet that woman just wouldn’t give up, no matter how many doors were shut in her face. Virginia Hall wouldn’t let anyone or anything hold her back from doing what she thought needed doing. She came close to giving up once after a series of near death experiences due to infections and sepsis after shooting herself in the leg by accident and then having it amputated. She fell into a deep depression but was pulled out of it by a vision of her late dad who told her to survive. And so she did. She found a way to get better and walk again with a wooden prosthetic leg she named Cuthbert. And not just walk. This lady wouldn’t let a silly little wooden leg slow her down or keep her from doing things. She learned to adapt and improvise. Skills that came in handy when she worked for the SOE and OSS in France during WW2, helping to recruit, coordinate, finance and arm the French to fight for the Allies and free France. Her leadership skills were top notch though it took forever for her superiors to acknowledge she was one of the only ones in France delivering for them, unlike most of her male counterparts. A theme that would be repeated over and over again until she died and then suddenly poof she gets all the accolades. Funny how that goes. Either way this is quite the story about quite woman guaranteed to hold your attention the whole way through. I learned a lot, and the author did a pile of research and did a good job pulling it together. She does make assumptions about Virginia’s thoughts and feelings at times, but most felt pretty accurate, based on the factual material she had to work with. The torture the Nazi’s put the resistance folk through when caught was absolutely barbaric. It continually amazes me that humans did this to other humans. It also amazes me that other humans put their own lives on the line for other humans, knowing that if caught they would face horrific torture, and yet still do it....more
Oh oh oh…wow this book is a sucker punch to the gut in covering some questions that I have struggled and wrestled with in many a dark night of the souOh oh oh…wow this book is a sucker punch to the gut in covering some questions that I have struggled and wrestled with in many a dark night of the soul. It is a serious and deep and disturbing book in many ways that treads lightly in spots with delightful humour that brings levity and joy all the more so because it’s often cropping up in unexpected places.
Speculative fiction is what The Sparrow is classified as, and it’s incredible to me that it was published in 1996. Only a few interesting word choices gave it up to me that it wasn’t written in the last 5 years or so.
This is “first contact� type of story. A look at how highly intelligent, deeply compassionate, and highly educated modern humans would act when placed in a position of complete foreignness—a whole new planet. With conditions very much like how the first explorers and missionaries to the New World faced back in the 1400s and on.
It is a fascinating deep-dive on the motivations and core beliefs that drive the eight humans that take on the responsibility to explore the planet Rakhat. The world building is wonderfully vivid and interesting. It really makes you think how you would act when faced with such wildly different yet intelligent creatures.
TheSparrow, like all of Mary Doria Russell’s books, is a slow building, meaty plot-line that culminates in a resounding crescendo that had me nearly weeping for the agony of it all. As they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
If you’ve ever experienced a moment in life where you know you’ve acted to the best of your ability to live out God’s will but then instead of reward you face disappointment or worse devastation, then this is the book for you. Emilio Sandoz’s struggle to know God, is one I could very much relate to in part.
Mary Doria Russell is an incredible storyteller, bringing to life John Henry Holliday, his companion Kate and the Earp brothers in the wonderfully comMary Doria Russell is an incredible storyteller, bringing to life John Henry Holliday, his companion Kate and the Earp brothers in the wonderfully complex and richly detailed saga of Doc’s life—real and imagined.
Some books I liken to fast food: quickly consumed, hits the spot in the moment, but soon forgotten. This book is like a 12 course meal, layered and complex, with intriguing flavours and incredible filling for the mind and soul. It’s happy and sad and hopeful and tragic.
I was immersed in the story from beginning to end. The people felt real to me—not liked the hyped up legends Hollywood gave us—but real and complicated and completely human with flaws and petty grievances and self doubts.
A surprisingly enjoyable and endearing read despite its post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world. I was drawn in from the start by Melanie’s fascinating A surprisingly enjoyable and endearing read despite its post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world. I was drawn in from the start by Melanie’s fascinating voice and her child genius perspective. The book is wonderfully character driven and believable. I appreciated the glimpses into each of the main characters thoughts, motivations and perspectives. They each really thought they were doing the right or best thing for the world. But were they really? That’s a tough call all around, especially how it ends. Definitely a conversation starter. How far would you go to gain the knowledge to save your life? Or save those you love? Or save the world? (The beginning part did call to mind the Polish “Rabbits� of Ravensbruck in WW2.) Note: There are violent and gruesome scenes and those who are sensitive to dismemberment and children being killed will not like this. However, in my opinion those scenes don’t overpower the story as a whole. ...more
Found this to be a charming, fun and ultimately hopeful read, especially after some of the not-so-great books I’ve tried reading lately. The author’s Found this to be a charming, fun and ultimately hopeful read, especially after some of the not-so-great books I’ve tried reading lately. The author’s writing style was a joy to read, so fluid and descriptive. The characters all so heartwarming. (I could not help picturing Lucy as Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes.) I’ve seen this book has become controversial but I did not find it that way. I found it creates a lovely space to consider some big ideas and create hope in a fun, at times lighthearted and clever way. ...more
Powerful, gut-wrenching memoir in which Chanel walks you through her darkest valley and brings you out the other side of her survival. The candid wisdPowerful, gut-wrenching memoir in which Chanel walks you through her darkest valley and brings you out the other side of her survival. The candid wisdom and resilience and hopefulness she writes with was hard-earned. Her mom was right: “You have to wait and see how your life unfolds.� Chanel is a beacon, shining. Her story and the lessons she learned a map. Guidance for those lost and trapped and nameless. ...more
I’ve read this book a few times over the years. Always enjoy a good survivalist story. And this one is a good one, though at times it gets a little reI’ve read this book a few times over the years. Always enjoy a good survivalist story. And this one is a good one, though at times it gets a little repetitive. It’s one of my favourites by Louis L’amour. Somehow he creates scenes and characters that just stick with you. ...more
Any story about the siege of Leningrad always makes me pause, so I picked this up on a whim. What with the way the world is going right now with RussiAny story about the siege of Leningrad always makes me pause, so I picked this up on a whim. What with the way the world is going right now with Russia invading Ukraine. I was pleasantly surprised by how well written this book was. How seamlessly the author managed to intertwine the two timelines using a character with Alzheimer’s disease. I think she did a good portrayal of this disease� one that shows both the heartbreak of the person with the disease and the family around them. What I most loved about this book was how Marina with her descriptions of the Hermitage and the art made a whole new part of the world open up for me. It took me much longer to read simply because I was constantly pausing to look up paintings or other historical details and then going on long rabbit trails. This book is not a fast or thrilling read, but it is richly layered and gives the reader much to ponder on. I only wish she had allowed the daughter find out some of her parents history in the end. Though I can see why she ended the way she did as it’s more true to life that the stories of each generation are lost, never to be found by the next. ...more
This book took me by surprise. I was not expecting it to grab me by the heartstrings. It’s just darn good storytelling. I fell in love with each of thThis book took me by surprise. I was not expecting it to grab me by the heartstrings. It’s just darn good storytelling. I fell in love with each of the main characters. Sam. Sam’s mom. Sam’s dad. Ernie. Mickie. Really really loved Sam’s mom. I think I would’ve been like Mickie and spent a lot of time at her house. Any book that can get me to both laugh out loud and cry deserves a 4+ rating. And a book that comes out of nowhere and makes me feel all the feels, and has a unique storyline... deserves 5 stars. It’s not fast, it’s not edgy or trendy but it’s wholesome and filling, much like Sam’s mom’s lasagna. It dares to speak hope out into the hopelessness. Plus it has some great sarcastic one liners, that just tickled me to my core. ...more
Holy moly! This was a fun, edge-of-my-seat read. Very much outside of my usual genres but boy am I glad I picked it up. The whole story full of such wHoly moly! This was a fun, edge-of-my-seat read. Very much outside of my usual genres but boy am I glad I picked it up. The whole story full of such wacky humour and sarcasm was just so well done. Science or mathematics are not my field of expertise but I still appreciated all the science and calculations going on even if I didn’t fully understand. This book just makes me want to stand up and cheer. This shows the best of humanity—coming together to collaborate and work together to save the world and not just our world� but I don’t want to spoil the best part of the whole book. My advise is just read it. You won’t be sorry. ...more
I was hesitant to start reading this book because I wasn’t sure I was prepared for the heavy material contained within. And the book was thick. This wI was hesitant to start reading this book because I wasn’t sure I was prepared for the heavy material contained within. And the book was thick. This was not going to be a light and easy read. And yet once I started I was hooked and devoured this book. I’ve known from various other fictions reads that delved into insane asylums in the 1800s, some of Elizabeth Packard’s story that I looked up on my own. But this book takes black and white words and brings them full colour. This woman is a fascinating woman, possessing an incredible mind and sharp wits, and her story is anything but boring. The choices she made and the extreme duress and betrayals she endured while never losing her empathy or her very mind� So, so many thoughts and emotions welled up in me as I read and I can’t even process it all right now. I finished the last pages of The Woman They Could Not Silence and was left ironically speechless. ...more
Slow to start but eventually hooks you. It’s told in alternating storylines with over a hundred years between. I was at first leery of the “Hannie� stSlow to start but eventually hooks you. It’s told in alternating storylines with over a hundred years between. I was at first leery of the “Hannie� storyline as it’s a white author taking on a black former slave’s voice, and though I’m maybe not one to judge best, I came to be impressed with how she wrote Hannie’s story and was greatly impressed with Hannie’s strength of character. I was pleased that she showed the hardships, the injustices and the lack of choices and didn’t hold back from the ugly. Yet she also weaved in hope and mercy and compassion in small yet inspiring ways. I did enjoy Benny’s storyline from the start and enjoyed the whole unfolding search for answers. Both storylines began to intertwine more and more and I thought it was done masterfully to bring about a powerful conclusion. I love stories that raise my awareness to historical facts—such as the Lost Friends column. ...more
I would’ve rated this book 5 stars for the cover picture alone! I adore it! The cover aside, the words inside combined into what I consider is one of I would’ve rated this book 5 stars for the cover picture alone! I adore it! The cover aside, the words inside combined into what I consider is one of Louise Penny’s best works of fiction. She takes current events/emotions as well obscure historical events and places them so neatly into her mystery. There are a lot of seemingly unrelated stories/characters in this book. “Spurious connections� you could say. That eventually all come together masterfully. Making thoughtful arguments for all sides of a volatile issue while still leading us to consider kindness as a super power, hope as an act of courage, love as a driving force. That all humans are to be considered valuable, worthy, even if we disagree vehemently with them/hate them/have been hurt by them. It’s not an easy book to read if you consider seriously the questions brought up. If you probe your own heart deeply and consider how you will act if put in a desperate situation, and presented with an way out that only requires you to throw someone else under the bus. ...more
I resisted reading this book even though I was greatly intrigued by the idea of a story being told about a woman completely through the eyes of othersI resisted reading this book even though I was greatly intrigued by the idea of a story being told about a woman completely through the eyes of others. 8 other humans throughout her lifetime. I think I thought it might go a little weird and off the rails based on the title and the cover and the fact it’s was a debut by a little known Canadian writer. However from the first paragraphs I was hooked. The writing is fluid and relays each character’s point of view so effectively and effortlessly you are never distracted from the purpose of the story—knowing Astra. It’s brilliantly done and so very relevant. The bonus was the story took place in patty’s of BC I’m familiar with to a certain extent and group or rather mentality of people who believe in living off the land, anti-institution or consumerism and anti-government. The perspectives of how each character viewed themselves and Astra were very complex and invited introspection into how I view myself and those around me. How I help or hinder those I love. How family is so complicated especially when you add in strong beliefs and culture. How healing and health is a journey of a lifetime.
“We’re one human life stacked on top of the traumas and the tragedies of another�
The book was spellbinding and I consumed it in one sitting. Which rarely happens these days. I think a cover change and a more conventional title might have done the book more favours however much like it’s main character, it couldn’t be anything else then who she is. ...more
Ok this is hands down one of the most incredible books I’ve read in a long time. Utterly spellbinding by the end. I can’t say it gripped me from the sOk this is hands down one of the most incredible books I’ve read in a long time. Utterly spellbinding by the end. I can’t say it gripped me from the start, it took a little for me to reach the point of I can’t put it down and then I was reading against my iPad’s battery percentage, praying the battery wouldn’t die before I could finish. The lives and matriarchal culture of the haenyeo of Jeju Island was fascinating from the start. These women were the Amazons of the sea world! Powerful, wise, clever. And able to endure hypothermic levels of cold for hours on a daily basis and recover quickly with minimal intervention or extravagances. What these women did for their families is absolutely an inspiration, or in the very least a testament to the endurance, strength and resourcefulness of “the weaker sex�. Ha! I found it quite amusing how they viewed the men in their society. But also, how twisted the gender roles were. How even though the women were the providers and considered the physically strong ones, they still were limited and beholden to men for certain essential things that were vitally important to them. Also found it interesting how they all loved and adored their sons, but in general didn’t hold high regard for men, or their husbands. The story takes a dark turn as World War 2 ends and Korea is thrust into turmoil. So many innocent people caught up in the machinations of outside powers. World leaders, who thought they knew better than the locals caused serious turmoil and wrecked havoc on this tiny island. I was horrified by what happened; my eyes opened to a part of history I knew nothing about. Be warned the author doesn’t gloss over anything during this time and there are some graphic scenes that are indelibly imprinted on my mind’s eye. These scenes are integral to the story, as they give us an understanding of what the main character Young-sook endured and had to live with. As well as set up one of the main themes of the book: Forgiveness This book is a masterfully woven tapestry of many threads coming together to present an unforgettable picture of women in all stages of life: mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, best friends, grand-daughters, mother-in-laws, neighbours, rivals, coworkers.
Loading...
