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Lifted by the Great Nothing
Lauded by Philipp Meyer, Kevin Powers, and Jim Crace, the debut novel from Michener fellow Karim Dimechkie—about a Lebanese-American coming of age under a loving roof and a devastating lie.
Max doesn’t remember his mother, who was murdered by burglars before they emigrated from Beirut to New Jersey. He lives with his father, Rasheed, who is enamored of his concept of American culture—baseball and barbeques—and tries to shed his Lebanese heritage completely. “When we are in America,” Reed (for he goes by Reed in America, not Rasheed) tells Max, “we are Americans.”
Rasheed has a singular purpose in life: to provide Max with a joyful childhood. He showers his son with gifts out of a belief that he deserves all and is capable of anything. Max wants nothing more than to convince his father that he is a successful single parent. The only thing that can disrupt their peaceful universe is the truth—which it does, with force.
When Max turns seventeen, he learns from Rasheed’s ex-girlfriend that his father has been lying to him. Max’s understanding of the world is so rocked that he is subsequently launched on an uncertain mission to Beirut and then Paris.
Lifted by the Great Nothing is a startlingly graceful, and often hilarious, coming-of-age story about the lengths we go to preserve the untruths we live by. With its poignant relationships, unsettling misadventures, and surprising love stories, it is a touching and devastating portrait of a young man coming to terms with his country’s—and his own—violent past.
Max doesn’t remember his mother, who was murdered by burglars before they emigrated from Beirut to New Jersey. He lives with his father, Rasheed, who is enamored of his concept of American culture—baseball and barbeques—and tries to shed his Lebanese heritage completely. “When we are in America,” Reed (for he goes by Reed in America, not Rasheed) tells Max, “we are Americans.”
Rasheed has a singular purpose in life: to provide Max with a joyful childhood. He showers his son with gifts out of a belief that he deserves all and is capable of anything. Max wants nothing more than to convince his father that he is a successful single parent. The only thing that can disrupt their peaceful universe is the truth—which it does, with force.
When Max turns seventeen, he learns from Rasheed’s ex-girlfriend that his father has been lying to him. Max’s understanding of the world is so rocked that he is subsequently launched on an uncertain mission to Beirut and then Paris.
Lifted by the Great Nothing is a startlingly graceful, and often hilarious, coming-of-age story about the lengths we go to preserve the untruths we live by. With its poignant relationships, unsettling misadventures, and surprising love stories, it is a touching and devastating portrait of a young man coming to terms with his country’s—and his own—violent past.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2015
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1164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 14, 2015
Rasheed moves to America from Lebanon with his son Max.
I could understand that their accents brought much attention to their foreignness.
I also understand some stumbling over consonants ---
But, what was the purpose of also adding a character with a speech impediment?
I can't express enough how annoying it was to read an 'entire' novel filled with broken up words. It drove me crazy! I began to wonder if I had a defect on my Kindle. I don't think so. It was part of the style of the storytelling. My body tighten from the stress of reading this way.
A couple of examples:
"Couldn't she be satis fied that Max was already disobey ing him about the docu ment ar ies?"
or...
"It was the guilti est and most excit ing mater ial to masturb ate to".
I was reminded of "Owen Meany" by John Irving -- a book I loved --
In that novel a young boy has a huge crush on his best friends mother. I enjoyed 'everything' about that novel...
Yet, enjoyed very little about 'this' novel. I didn't enjoy reading about an adult woman teaching a small child how to masturbate -- [Welcome to America].
It was not suppose to even be a sexual act --a basic-teaching-skill for the young boy to put himself to sleep. She wanted him to understand it was normal to relieve himself. Was it normal for her to teach him? Pathetic! Wrong! [Welcome to America]
Max --the young boy of this story --cooks-cleans -takes care of the house while his dad works.
[Welcome to America]
In time Max falls in love with an adult woman (a neighbor) -- Why of course? They will have sex together also! [Welcome to America]
There was 'more' in this novel to drive me bananas.
Besides this crazy 'coming-of-age' story about Max-in-America,
and
the uncomfortable sexual scenes,
and ongoing sentences like:
"Her ques tion ing felt like a viol a tion of some thing that had been vaulted".
also...
This weird-off-beat-wrong-sexual dysfunctional story is mixed with a political slant....(especially the last half of the book)
Max, (as an older teen), takes a trip to the Middle East to find his mother. The discussions about the Holocaust start -- prejudices - the ills of stereotypes. I kept wondering "what is the purpose of this novel"? Too many ingredients in a stew makes for a yucky tasty meal.
'I' felt too many negative emotions with this novel. Annoyed!, Irritated! Disgust!
I apologize upfront for a low review --for my negative reactions. Other readers may love this novel.
It wasn't for me. I always feel a little bad to give a low review (its not something I enjoy doing ...nor do I think I do it often).
I still want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity they provide & the publisher!
I always wish the best for authors.
Kirim Dimechkie: Wishing her many wonderful joys from her work!
Others may love this novel.
I could understand that their accents brought much attention to their foreignness.
I also understand some stumbling over consonants ---
But, what was the purpose of also adding a character with a speech impediment?
I can't express enough how annoying it was to read an 'entire' novel filled with broken up words. It drove me crazy! I began to wonder if I had a defect on my Kindle. I don't think so. It was part of the style of the storytelling. My body tighten from the stress of reading this way.
A couple of examples:
"Couldn't she be satis fied that Max was already disobey ing him about the docu ment ar ies?"
or...
"It was the guilti est and most excit ing mater ial to masturb ate to".
I was reminded of "Owen Meany" by John Irving -- a book I loved --
In that novel a young boy has a huge crush on his best friends mother. I enjoyed 'everything' about that novel...
Yet, enjoyed very little about 'this' novel. I didn't enjoy reading about an adult woman teaching a small child how to masturbate -- [Welcome to America].
It was not suppose to even be a sexual act --a basic-teaching-skill for the young boy to put himself to sleep. She wanted him to understand it was normal to relieve himself. Was it normal for her to teach him? Pathetic! Wrong! [Welcome to America]
Max --the young boy of this story --cooks-cleans -takes care of the house while his dad works.
[Welcome to America]
In time Max falls in love with an adult woman (a neighbor) -- Why of course? They will have sex together also! [Welcome to America]
There was 'more' in this novel to drive me bananas.
Besides this crazy 'coming-of-age' story about Max-in-America,
and
the uncomfortable sexual scenes,
and ongoing sentences like:
"Her ques tion ing felt like a viol a tion of some thing that had been vaulted".
also...
This weird-off-beat-wrong-sexual dysfunctional story is mixed with a political slant....(especially the last half of the book)
Max, (as an older teen), takes a trip to the Middle East to find his mother. The discussions about the Holocaust start -- prejudices - the ills of stereotypes. I kept wondering "what is the purpose of this novel"? Too many ingredients in a stew makes for a yucky tasty meal.
'I' felt too many negative emotions with this novel. Annoyed!, Irritated! Disgust!
I apologize upfront for a low review --for my negative reactions. Other readers may love this novel.
It wasn't for me. I always feel a little bad to give a low review (its not something I enjoy doing ...nor do I think I do it often).
I still want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity they provide & the publisher!
I always wish the best for authors.
Kirim Dimechkie: Wishing her many wonderful joys from her work!
Others may love this novel.
May 24, 2015
I knew I wanted to read this book after reading Dimechkie's piece, A (Manic Depressive) Man's Best Friend, in the NYTimes. I loved his original voice and was excited to hear he had a book debuting soon.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/...
I made multiple trips to the bookstore from early March to mid-April, hoping to find it, and then finally acknowledged that the the book would released and in stores on May 19th.
Dimechkie's story moved me a great deal--in fact, in the end he made me cry. Admittedly, it is a fast read, and I didn't do much else but work and sleep in the times I was not reading it. Worth the wait. And now I await his next book.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/...
I made multiple trips to the bookstore from early March to mid-April, hoping to find it, and then finally acknowledged that the the book would released and in stores on May 19th.
Dimechkie's story moved me a great deal--in fact, in the end he made me cry. Admittedly, it is a fast read, and I didn't do much else but work and sleep in the times I was not reading it. Worth the wait. And now I await his next book.
March 21, 2023
This book was very different from what I expected, but in a really good way.
July 30, 2021
Lifted by the Great Nothing is an endearing coming-of-age story that has an exploration of family and the complications it can bring that is so wonderful, heartfelt, and, at times, funny to read. However, the character development seemed to lack a little at times and I didn’t find myself feeling attached to the characters until close to the and of the novel.
The premise of this book was fantastic through and through… finding out that what you have always thought to be your truth is truthfully a lie coupled with an identity crisis brought upon you by the generations before you. It all felt real and as if it were not a work of fiction; at times it almost read as a uniquely written memoir. Unfortunately, the execution wasn’t fully there especially with the characters. I did read that this was the author’s debut work and I have no doubt that their other works will be fantastic but this one, even with all of its merits, fell somewhat flat. Glad I read it but I maybe wouldn’t recommend this one. 3/5.
The premise of this book was fantastic through and through… finding out that what you have always thought to be your truth is truthfully a lie coupled with an identity crisis brought upon you by the generations before you. It all felt real and as if it were not a work of fiction; at times it almost read as a uniquely written memoir. Unfortunately, the execution wasn’t fully there especially with the characters. I did read that this was the author’s debut work and I have no doubt that their other works will be fantastic but this one, even with all of its merits, fell somewhat flat. Glad I read it but I maybe wouldn’t recommend this one. 3/5.
February 23, 2015
Before I share my review, if anyone else reading the ARC via netgalley noticed words broken up, it is just a download issue and you can read it in pdf format until it's fixed. It's not the novel :)
Nothing is what it seems in Max's life. Rasheed has fled Lebanon after the tragic loss of his wife, Max's mother. Trying to assimilate, he is so desperate to shed his foreign skin that he keeps the past under lock and key from his son. Rasheed wants to embrace all things American, and see that his son has a bright shiny American future, fear of terrorism and the stink of death. Funny moments often emerge because of Rasheed's stubborn and foreign nature. An excerpt- " Though such moments embarassed Max , it never occurred to him to correct his father. Rasheed was a fixed entity, an unchanging, finished, permanent person, and the thought of teaching him anything was as unthinkable as training a turtle to sing. Turtles cannot sing and fathers cannot change."
When Rasheed briings a girlfriend to live with them, she plants seeds of doubt everywhere. Why does his father not embrace being Lebanese? Why does he not concern himself with the struggles his people face? Why is he so set on being all American? And what about his deceased wife? Why doesn't he ever talk about her, hmmm? Struggling to deny there is something hidden about his father, as he comes of age he realizes he has to face the unknown. Truth will not go away and refuses to remain silent. His father goes from being someone who gives Max everything he can to being a mystery, maybe someone to be ashamed of?
The girlfriend in question is a character in herself, a real trail blazer for righting the suffering of 'those poor minorities", and the insight Max's object of affection has of her tickles the reader. A silly woman who thinks truth must always prevail, of course other people's truths are so much easier to expose.
Just as Max's wildest erotic dreams are coming true, his Dad's ex breaks the peace of his world with a letter and forces him to uncover the truth, which may send him across the ocean. What happens when your truth is a fable? Are all lies parents tell their children for their benefit alone? Are some lies a sacrifice in disguise?
I spent time laughing and cringing over Max and the relationship he has with his father. While there is humor there is humility and as the story goes deeper the reader is forced to relate to Rasheed's choices. As a character who seemed ridiculous in shedding his identity to fit in with the American ideal, I began to respect him for what he did for his beloved Max.
The novel has erotic moments between Max and his much older neighbor, and uncomfortable situations with his father's girlfriend but the true heart of the novel is the relationship between father and son. The ending is a sad one, and that is how the novel goes- from smiling over his clueless dad, to cringing in Max's interactions with others and then feeling sorry for everyone. This isn't a typical coming of age, because it touches on a different part of the world and the limited options people have. Too, this novel shows family is sometimes stronger than blood ties. Different.
Nothing is what it seems in Max's life. Rasheed has fled Lebanon after the tragic loss of his wife, Max's mother. Trying to assimilate, he is so desperate to shed his foreign skin that he keeps the past under lock and key from his son. Rasheed wants to embrace all things American, and see that his son has a bright shiny American future, fear of terrorism and the stink of death. Funny moments often emerge because of Rasheed's stubborn and foreign nature. An excerpt- " Though such moments embarassed Max , it never occurred to him to correct his father. Rasheed was a fixed entity, an unchanging, finished, permanent person, and the thought of teaching him anything was as unthinkable as training a turtle to sing. Turtles cannot sing and fathers cannot change."
When Rasheed briings a girlfriend to live with them, she plants seeds of doubt everywhere. Why does his father not embrace being Lebanese? Why does he not concern himself with the struggles his people face? Why is he so set on being all American? And what about his deceased wife? Why doesn't he ever talk about her, hmmm? Struggling to deny there is something hidden about his father, as he comes of age he realizes he has to face the unknown. Truth will not go away and refuses to remain silent. His father goes from being someone who gives Max everything he can to being a mystery, maybe someone to be ashamed of?
The girlfriend in question is a character in herself, a real trail blazer for righting the suffering of 'those poor minorities", and the insight Max's object of affection has of her tickles the reader. A silly woman who thinks truth must always prevail, of course other people's truths are so much easier to expose.
Just as Max's wildest erotic dreams are coming true, his Dad's ex breaks the peace of his world with a letter and forces him to uncover the truth, which may send him across the ocean. What happens when your truth is a fable? Are all lies parents tell their children for their benefit alone? Are some lies a sacrifice in disguise?
I spent time laughing and cringing over Max and the relationship he has with his father. While there is humor there is humility and as the story goes deeper the reader is forced to relate to Rasheed's choices. As a character who seemed ridiculous in shedding his identity to fit in with the American ideal, I began to respect him for what he did for his beloved Max.
The novel has erotic moments between Max and his much older neighbor, and uncomfortable situations with his father's girlfriend but the true heart of the novel is the relationship between father and son. The ending is a sad one, and that is how the novel goes- from smiling over his clueless dad, to cringing in Max's interactions with others and then feeling sorry for everyone. This isn't a typical coming of age, because it touches on a different part of the world and the limited options people have. Too, this novel shows family is sometimes stronger than blood ties. Different.
April 8, 2015
This book is kind of hard to read. Dimechkie seems to be one of those writers who takes grim delight in describing icky things in unflinching detail: illness, sex, the adolescent male physique, even the mechanics of eating. Topics that would benefit from lower lighting and less scrutiny are instead thrust under a bald 100-watt bulb.
Fortunately, the plot exerted a strong enough pull to keep me from recoiling too much from the unsavory details. Max and his father Rasheed live in New Jersey. Before, they lived in Lebanon, but Max was too young to remember it, and his father never wants to talk about their past. Rasheed has fully embraced American life and has no desire to maintain ties to their former culture. He tells Max that his mother and the rest of their extended family are all dead, and for a while at least Max accepts his story as truth.
But it's not the truth. Even the most basic facts of Max's existence turn out to be lies, and somehow he will have to come to terms with his new reality. Max's effort to piece together his true history is the most compelling element of the novel. Why did Rasheed lie about something so huge? Is he the hero or the villain of Max's story? Can their relationship survive such a massive betrayal? And the most interesting question to my mind, how will Max reframe his identity after growing up completely severed from his culture, his family?
Despite the squirms it may induce, Lifted by the Great Nothing is a promising debut novel and an interesting exploration of family, love, and deception.
With regards to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale May 19.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Fortunately, the plot exerted a strong enough pull to keep me from recoiling too much from the unsavory details. Max and his father Rasheed live in New Jersey. Before, they lived in Lebanon, but Max was too young to remember it, and his father never wants to talk about their past. Rasheed has fully embraced American life and has no desire to maintain ties to their former culture. He tells Max that his mother and the rest of their extended family are all dead, and for a while at least Max accepts his story as truth.
But it's not the truth. Even the most basic facts of Max's existence turn out to be lies, and somehow he will have to come to terms with his new reality. Max's effort to piece together his true history is the most compelling element of the novel. Why did Rasheed lie about something so huge? Is he the hero or the villain of Max's story? Can their relationship survive such a massive betrayal? And the most interesting question to my mind, how will Max reframe his identity after growing up completely severed from his culture, his family?
Despite the squirms it may induce, Lifted by the Great Nothing is a promising debut novel and an interesting exploration of family, love, and deception.
With regards to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale May 19.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
May 19, 2015
"There's hardly a fiction in the world that's more comforting than having a clear explanation for pain. The truth is not always what's most important."
Rasheed leaves Lebanon with his infant son Max, settling into a multi-cultural American neighborhood and life. He is determined to live all aspects of Lebanon behind. Max grows up believing his mother and entire extended family were killed by robbers in Beirut -- he and his father narrowly escaping the ambush.
The book's primary focus is Max's coming-of-age and his relationship with his father and neighbors. Max struggles to understand his heritage and questions whether his father has been truthful about their past in Lebanon. He doesn't fit in at school and connects most with a neighbor twice his age.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. There are poignant notes throughout the book, but I didn't really find myself invested with the characters until the very end of the book. By then I had nearly given up interest. "Lifted by the Great Nothing" is the author's debut novel, I would certainly be interested in reading a future novel as I believe he is a talented writer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rasheed leaves Lebanon with his infant son Max, settling into a multi-cultural American neighborhood and life. He is determined to live all aspects of Lebanon behind. Max grows up believing his mother and entire extended family were killed by robbers in Beirut -- he and his father narrowly escaping the ambush.
The book's primary focus is Max's coming-of-age and his relationship with his father and neighbors. Max struggles to understand his heritage and questions whether his father has been truthful about their past in Lebanon. He doesn't fit in at school and connects most with a neighbor twice his age.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. There are poignant notes throughout the book, but I didn't really find myself invested with the characters until the very end of the book. By then I had nearly given up interest. "Lifted by the Great Nothing" is the author's debut novel, I would certainly be interested in reading a future novel as I believe he is a talented writer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2015
What a gorgeous debut from a promising young writer. Dimechkie toes the line between comedy and tragedy deftly, with wit and humorous prose. Lifted by the Great Nothing reminded me a lot of the humor in Miranda July's most recent novel, THE FIRST BAD MAN. And it is as grand and ambitious in scope as 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner, Donna Tartt's THE GOLDFINCH. I loved the characters in this brilliant, heartwarming book, and could not recommend it highly enough.
May 1, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A deft portrayal of a boy struggling into the man he will be. With no idea who his mother was, Max struggles to fit into the world his father Rasheed has made for them in America. The reasons for many of Rasheed's seemingly selfish decisions become clear as Max discovers the truth. Painful and at times difficult to read, this book will touch you on many emotional levels.
A deft portrayal of a boy struggling into the man he will be. With no idea who his mother was, Max struggles to fit into the world his father Rasheed has made for them in America. The reasons for many of Rasheed's seemingly selfish decisions become clear as Max discovers the truth. Painful and at times difficult to read, this book will touch you on many emotional levels.
June 30, 2015
Karim Dimechkie is a wonderful storyteller. Lifted by the Great Nothingis a rich and moving tale of Lebanese immigrant assimilation to American culture and a coming of age novel. But it is really so much more than that. Race, interracial love, and the world parents create to teach and protect their children are dominant themes in a broad and enveloping story. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I highly recommend it.
April 10, 2015
*Received as a Good Reads ARC*
An eclectic and endearing cast of characters shine from the pages of this coming of age tale of a young man with no connections with anyone his own age, and a range of unusual relationships with everyone else. Humorous and poignant, Dimechkie captures Max's confusion and enlightenment as he learns about his family with gentleness and courage.
An eclectic and endearing cast of characters shine from the pages of this coming of age tale of a young man with no connections with anyone his own age, and a range of unusual relationships with everyone else. Humorous and poignant, Dimechkie captures Max's confusion and enlightenment as he learns about his family with gentleness and courage.
February 14, 2015
Loved it! Stay tuned for full review.
July 1, 2017
DNF @ 70%
I went to the library for a book and two more jumped out at me. This was one of them. The title and cover were intriguing and the plot seemed interesting. Judging by the first few pages, I felt sure I'd like this. I was hooked and intrigued. As time wore on, however, my illusions of warmth faded, replaced by a cold, deep discomfort and hatred. I know what I said about not DNFing any more this year, but I also know how unreliable my promises are when it comes to reading.
Perhaps I'm just a prude, but reading in depth about a child's sex life, particularly with adults, is highly uncomfortable for me. To write in such explicit terms, whilst acknowledging the childlike nature of one of the participants was, frankly, revolting. I'm sure many readers appreciated Dimechkie's unfiltered storytelling but I was not among them. Sex and children, even when used fictitiously, feels too akin to child porn, and I'm utterly revolted from the get go. The fact that Dimechkie seemed largely unaffected by such language bothered me as well.
Aside from this (though I don't feel like much more is needed), the plot was predictable. For a novel to be so heavily based upon a secret, I had wished the secret would have been more shocking. I feel like the truth was obvious and there wasn't enough shock factor to keep me intrigued. Further, the mode in which it was revealed felt incredible incongruent to the rest of the book. The plot also was just a bunch of vignettes that tried, and failed, to build a climactic plot. Most of the events were implausible and the ones that weren't were boring.
I also never connected with the characters. I hated Reed/Rasheed from the get-go, couldn't stand Kelly or how she was written (she felt very sloppy), didn't understand the Coach or Rodney, and thought Nadine was horrible. Max, though, was the worst. He felt too paradoxical for a main character. He tries to be invisible but is a people pleaser. He's shy but sexually confident. He's just not someone I wanted to journey with.
The book is marketed as being "full of humor" and "touching and devastating" yet I never laughed or felt touched. I just felt gross, bored, and angry. Sorry for being a letdown and DNFing but I love myself more than this book.
I went to the library for a book and two more jumped out at me. This was one of them. The title and cover were intriguing and the plot seemed interesting. Judging by the first few pages, I felt sure I'd like this. I was hooked and intrigued. As time wore on, however, my illusions of warmth faded, replaced by a cold, deep discomfort and hatred. I know what I said about not DNFing any more this year, but I also know how unreliable my promises are when it comes to reading.
Perhaps I'm just a prude, but reading in depth about a child's sex life, particularly with adults, is highly uncomfortable for me. To write in such explicit terms, whilst acknowledging the childlike nature of one of the participants was, frankly, revolting. I'm sure many readers appreciated Dimechkie's unfiltered storytelling but I was not among them. Sex and children, even when used fictitiously, feels too akin to child porn, and I'm utterly revolted from the get go. The fact that Dimechkie seemed largely unaffected by such language bothered me as well.
Aside from this (though I don't feel like much more is needed), the plot was predictable. For a novel to be so heavily based upon a secret, I had wished the secret would have been more shocking. I feel like the truth was obvious and there wasn't enough shock factor to keep me intrigued. Further, the mode in which it was revealed felt incredible incongruent to the rest of the book. The plot also was just a bunch of vignettes that tried, and failed, to build a climactic plot. Most of the events were implausible and the ones that weren't were boring.
I also never connected with the characters. I hated Reed/Rasheed from the get-go, couldn't stand Kelly or how she was written (she felt very sloppy), didn't understand the Coach or Rodney, and thought Nadine was horrible. Max, though, was the worst. He felt too paradoxical for a main character. He tries to be invisible but is a people pleaser. He's shy but sexually confident. He's just not someone I wanted to journey with.
The book is marketed as being "full of humor" and "touching and devastating" yet I never laughed or felt touched. I just felt gross, bored, and angry. Sorry for being a letdown and DNFing but I love myself more than this book.
August 19, 2017
I can't recall a time when I cried over a #movie, or had any kind of emotional reaction formed into certain kind of expression because of an emotionally-triggering scene.
Maybe I'm just too conscious about what's #real and what is #drama!
But with this very novel I felt my whole body was reacting in a hundred ways all on one go. While #reading, I was loosening, jumping, pinching, and in chapter 15 almost sobbing! Registering many things altogether.
God, there's so much in it; The #Palestinian debate, The smell of #Beirut wafting out of the words, the beautiful few #Arabic words written in an #English novel, and the #camukra flower that I don't know as to whether it exists or not!
#recommendedbooks #beirut #novel #Arabic #Palestine #Syria #mama #baba #grandma #Paris
Maybe I'm just too conscious about what's #real and what is #drama!
But with this very novel I felt my whole body was reacting in a hundred ways all on one go. While #reading, I was loosening, jumping, pinching, and in chapter 15 almost sobbing! Registering many things altogether.
God, there's so much in it; The #Palestinian debate, The smell of #Beirut wafting out of the words, the beautiful few #Arabic words written in an #English novel, and the #camukra flower that I don't know as to whether it exists or not!
#recommendedbooks #beirut #novel #Arabic #Palestine #Syria #mama #baba #grandma #Paris
May 10, 2024
This book took me on a fascinating journey of identity, race, and family.
We follow a Lebanese-American family living in the US (a father and son), except the dad refuses to acknowledge their roots. He is trying to completely assimilate in the US. Calls himself a white American and never speaks of his past in Lebanon. His son has a lot of questions about his mom, his family, but dad says they all died in the war in Lebanon and isn't interested in recounting the details.
So we follow the son try to make sense of who he is, who is dad is, where he comes from. He ends up uncovering some really shocking information (many twists!) that change his life.
There were some parts that were really hard and uncomfortable to read, but it was definitely an interesting story that kept me engaged.
We follow a Lebanese-American family living in the US (a father and son), except the dad refuses to acknowledge their roots. He is trying to completely assimilate in the US. Calls himself a white American and never speaks of his past in Lebanon. His son has a lot of questions about his mom, his family, but dad says they all died in the war in Lebanon and isn't interested in recounting the details.
So we follow the son try to make sense of who he is, who is dad is, where he comes from. He ends up uncovering some really shocking information (many twists!) that change his life.
There were some parts that were really hard and uncomfortable to read, but it was definitely an interesting story that kept me engaged.
August 6, 2017
This is Max's story, a coming-of-age novel especially about his relationship with his father. The father-son relationship is not what it seems. He grew up not knowing his mother. Rasheed, his father, is captivated by the American culture. This is a good first novel. I received a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways for a review.
June 7, 2017
Max's — or possibly Hakeem's — coming-of-age story...that involves a trip to Beirut...and an unusual, briefly-blooming flower.
May 14, 2018
This is one of "those" books.....important and literary. I will be watching for his next book.
October 31, 2022
Enjoyed the characters. Great read for how it all comes together at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2023
Really enjoyed this story and the writing even though it was quite quirky.
July 31, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4
October 29, 2024
Devastatingly good.
December 24, 2025
the world is big, small, unfair, and sometimes beautiful
August 23, 2025
layered and tugs at the heart
Well written and descriptive. It pulled at my heart with the different characters throughout and how layered people are as well as how layered our lives are
Well written and descriptive. It pulled at my heart with the different characters throughout and how layered people are as well as how layered our lives are
February 4, 2016
I read this book for a class after Dimechkie did a reading of it in my university. The author has an interesting voice and cartoonish style of writing, which was enjoyable.
The story is of a young adolescent boy finding himself and his heritage, something his immigrant father had hidden from him. Dimechkie does a good job of portraying modern American life and especially the lives of immigrants - although he does succumb to cliches or over exaggeration of some aspects of it. I don't think I particularly liked Max - the protagonist - which always makes reading things in first person a little more tiring.
In conclusion, a nice, easy read. Recommended for teenagers and young adults
The story is of a young adolescent boy finding himself and his heritage, something his immigrant father had hidden from him. Dimechkie does a good job of portraying modern American life and especially the lives of immigrants - although he does succumb to cliches or over exaggeration of some aspects of it. I don't think I particularly liked Max - the protagonist - which always makes reading things in first person a little more tiring.
In conclusion, a nice, easy read. Recommended for teenagers and young adults
July 21, 2015
This is one for the heart-breakingly beautiful list. Max's father, Rasheed Boulos who has shortened his name to the American-sounding Reed moved to the U.S. from Lebanon when Max was a baby. Reed is determined to be as American as he can be; his missteps are often hilarious. His neighbors, the Wangs, and the doctor, Nadine are also immigrants. His friends and drinking buddy, Tim, who is Max's basketball coach, also lives in the neighborhood. The relationships between neighbors and the Bouloses are a fertile backdrop for Max's coming of age. He becomes alienated from his father when Rasheed's racial prejudice against Nadine surfaces. In a shockingly ugly scene, Rasheed is locked in his car when Nadine's party guests believe they are rescuing Max from a predator. Rasheed pleads to be let out of the car and when he finally is, he is beaten by Nadine's boyfriend. Max falls hopelessly in love with Nadine, never mind a 15-year age difference. As he spends more time with her, the gulf between father and son grows to insurmountable proportions. After an altercation with Nadine and learning that his mother, whom Max believed died when he was a baby, is alive, Max travels to Beirut to find her. There he learns many secrets, which ultimately result in larger challenges for Max. The cast of damaged characters demonstrates that love can take many forms and can elevate us, despite the odds. Dimechkie's debut showcases a promising young author.
July 19, 2015
I listened to this on Audible. I have the Kindle version, but I found the broken English difficult to read. Audiobook was much easier for me and I am SO GLAD that I listened to this story.
I truly loved this book. The characters and their personalities were so well written. Rasheed was a complex characters. He was difficult to get along with, depressive, racist, and a liar, but also relatable and easy to sympathize with. I found the same was true of all of the characters. They were flawed, but not irredeemable.
In this story, Max lives with his father Rasheed, in America. Rasheed LOVES America and will not speak of Lebanon and the war-torn family and life they left behind. To abet Max's thirst for curiousity, Rasheed tells him just a little about his mother. Most of it, as it later turns out, is a lie.
This is a bit of a coming-of-age tale, but with Max having more to come to terms with than a typical adolescent boy.
I do not want to spoil the story, but I do highly recommend the tale... on audio...
I truly loved this book. The characters and their personalities were so well written. Rasheed was a complex characters. He was difficult to get along with, depressive, racist, and a liar, but also relatable and easy to sympathize with. I found the same was true of all of the characters. They were flawed, but not irredeemable.
In this story, Max lives with his father Rasheed, in America. Rasheed LOVES America and will not speak of Lebanon and the war-torn family and life they left behind. To abet Max's thirst for curiousity, Rasheed tells him just a little about his mother. Most of it, as it later turns out, is a lie.
This is a bit of a coming-of-age tale, but with Max having more to come to terms with than a typical adolescent boy.
I do not want to spoil the story, but I do highly recommend the tale... on audio...
September 8, 2015
Dimechkie is a talented young writer. He spun opa coming-of-age tale about Max Hakeem Jabbir Boulos with uncanny humor, teenage emotions, anger, heartbreak and loss. Max lives in New Jersey with his father Rasheed Boulos. They are refugees from Lebanon. Rasheed spins elaborate bedtime stories for Max and stories about Max's mother and how his extended family was killed by a robber. From Max's viewpoint, he accepts these stories as truths because he loves Rasheed, he has no reason to doubt their authenticity and he is generally not very curious. As he matures, he begins to question some of the connections and variances in the stories. He challenges Rasheed about the past and their relationship becomes strained. Typical teenage rebellion where he loves and hates his father. A family friend, Kelly, shares information with Max sending him to Beirut to find the truth.
May 11, 2016
"You go on living like you've understood the pattern of your days, like everything makes sense, and that's when you get hacked down and reminded that you don't really control any of this trip."
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This book definitely packs a punch. Full of lurid details and situations that make you squirm and all sorts of twists this book was hard to put down. The characters are compelling, especially Max, and I couldn't help but root for him through every awkward situation or devastating conversation.
It's a good book to make you think. While some parts of the book feel like a stretch this is really a book about stories and family and all the dysfunction that goes with growing up. It's heartbreaking and wonderful all at once.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This book definitely packs a punch. Full of lurid details and situations that make you squirm and all sorts of twists this book was hard to put down. The characters are compelling, especially Max, and I couldn't help but root for him through every awkward situation or devastating conversation.
It's a good book to make you think. While some parts of the book feel like a stretch this is really a book about stories and family and all the dysfunction that goes with growing up. It's heartbreaking and wonderful all at once.
February 4, 2017
2 star = it was ok by GR rating system.
Interesting story of Max, a Lebanese kid growing up in the US. Pros: The writing was easy to read and follow. The characters were interesting, however I thought the story was a bit unfocused. The story really reminded me of "The World According to Garp"; I thought it was written in the same style. Ultimately, I thought it was only ok because there wasn't anything for me to hang on to, there wasn't a story line per se, the author just kept writing and writing. I didn't feel there was a reward at the end of the reading. I would say the book was satisfactory.
I recieved this book as a free review copy.
Interesting story of Max, a Lebanese kid growing up in the US. Pros: The writing was easy to read and follow. The characters were interesting, however I thought the story was a bit unfocused. The story really reminded me of "The World According to Garp"; I thought it was written in the same style. Ultimately, I thought it was only ok because there wasn't anything for me to hang on to, there wasn't a story line per se, the author just kept writing and writing. I didn't feel there was a reward at the end of the reading. I would say the book was satisfactory.
I recieved this book as a free review copy.
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