Dorit Rabinyan
Published April 25 2017 by Random House
An Israeli woman and a man from Palestine meet at a cafe in New York, and a relationship is born. There are constant reminders and stories regaled about "home" to instill the picture that, had these two met in their homeland, their reactions to each other would have been very different. Here in New York, the commonalities with which they can identify come out -- they are in NYC, post 9/11, on temporary visas, treated as foreigners, and both are dark olive skinned and looked at with suspicion. They have no family nearby to warn them off or to pass judgment. There is no language barrier since both speak English. Their differences are minimalized. A very intriguing way to start out.
But from there, even as their love grows, their differences become obvious, mainly whenever in the presence of their family members or those who know the families. The language differences, and certainly the politics of their homelands. The viewpoint is from the perspective of Liati, the Israeli; so it is she that we get to know best, it is her joys, opinions, and worries that are expressed. Perhaps Hilmi was sympathetic because I saw him through her eyes -- quick witted, even tempered, talented, and very likeable.
Perhaps also the author is conflicted over a proper resolution to Israel's problems; I know I only get more deflated whenever I read about it. There is one intense argument in particular played out between Liati and Hilmi's brother over the fate of a divided Israel that ends in a stalemate. It's so revealing. So is the fact that this book has been banned from Israeli schools.
I think because some reviews compared this story to Romeo & Juliet, I felt a nervous tension throughout the story, wondering about the ending. I grew very worried for their fates. I cared! Truly a remarkable story.
I am grateful that the publisher asked me to read and review this very special book, which most likely otherwise would have escaped my notice.
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