The Blurb:
“Jerusalem, 2002. Where one young Palestinian is about to make the greatest sacrifice of all…In the style of the acclaimed TV drama 24, each chapter covers an hour in the day leading up to the suicide bombing. Written in filmic, dramatic language, this is both pacy and thought-provoking and will appeal to young adults and adults alike. It is endorsed by Amnesty International UK as contributing to a better understanding of human rights and the values that underpin them.”
(source: Waterstones.com)
What I thought:
Anyone who knows me or knows my blog by now will know how much I love books set in Israel. Having lived there for two years back in the early ’90′s my love for the country, the people and the cultures still has as big a place in my heart as it did back then.
Before I Say Goodbye is the story Jerusalem one rainy morning and those who woke up, each ready to go about their daily routines as they do every morning….
Myriam is an 18 year old Isreali Jew who is still in shock after losing her best friend, Michael, to a suicide bomber only two months ago. She is trying to make sense of the world she lives in and on this day she makes a decision – to choose life.
Dima is an 18 year old Palestinian girl who is top of her class and about to get married. She is also disillusion with life and can see no future for her or her people and she makes a decision – to choose death.
Abraham is an Israeli Jew, married with children and works as a security guard. On this morning he recieves his job from the agency – a post in a local supermarket.
Ghassan is a 23 year old Palestinian expolsives expert. Today he is scouting for a place for his latest recruit (an 18 year old girl) to blow up – he chooses a supermarket.
The book starts at 7am that morning and each short chapter follows each of the characters about their daily business, hour by hour, and discovers their thoughts, feelings and experiences of living in Jerusalem. Not a word is wasted; the narrative is clear, concise and striking. I don’t claim to know much about translating but whatever the original italian was like, translator Alastair mcEwan has done a wonderful job. I felt involved in the story.
What I particularly like about this book is that it doesn’t take sides. There is no bias, no judgement; just a beautifully written account of one of the saddest and oldest conflicts in the world. It’s an important subject, beautifully executed in a way that makes it accessible to everyone. Politics and history aren’t prevalent but human emotion is.
What makes it all the more poignant is that is is based on a true story – one of two girls who died in the same place and were mistaken for sisters.
I highly recommend this book.
(I recieved my copy for review from Waterstones – thank you)
I don’t find this a topic that I would like to read about, but obviously the book was a good one, so maybe I’m wrong? It sounds so terribly sad to read about people (and probably you start to care about them) knowing that they’ll be dead towards the end of the book.
I think it sort of helps actually, Judith, as we know what’s going to happen right from the start. It’s sad because you know it happens but it’s not a sad book if that makes sense.
” Politics and history aren’t prevalent but human emotion is.” So true. Thank you for bringing yet another amazing-sounding book to my attention.
Thanks Nymeth – I hope you enjoy it if you do read it.
this looks good ,you missed the translator out alistair mcewan boof ,I to like Israel ficition but have read two this year and still have a oz to read so be while til I get to this ,all the best stu
I thought you might enjoy this one, Sut.
I did include the translator though – I’ve mentioned him in the review.
sorry my misreading ,yes its right up my street ,all the best stu
I like that this book doesn’t take sides. I’m always hesitant to pick up a book on Israel because I’m afraid it will take sides. Definitely added to my list.
It’s a good place to start if you’re hesitant about Israel books, Iris as it is really unbiased.
Oh this sounds interesting. Excellent review and one I am adding to my list. Thanks!
Thanks Sheila; hope you enjoy.
This sounds like a marvellous book and one that I would really like to give a try as I too am a big fan of fiction set in Israel. I had no idea that you lived there. I went last year and completely fell in love with it as a place and have wanted to read much more about it (in a fictional sense) since I left.
Have you read CrocAttack?
Simon, I have an ARC of Croc Attack but haven’t read it yet – I remember reading your review though.
Yes, I lived in Israel for 2 years after Uni (’93-’94) and I still think about that place all the time – I have a huge picture of Jerusalem above my desk in my office / library at home.
When / where did you go? I love chatting about Israel – we need to catch up about it over a drinky or three at the next bloggers meet-up
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