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Twenty Two Years to Life
What is the one thing you wish for more than anything else in the world? And what would you do if that one thing, once granted, was taken from you?
Fathi wakes up one morning to discover Allah has decided to give every old chicken a second chance. And, as it turns out, this couple still in love since their rainstorm meeting two decades earlier. Together they journey from one gated city to the next -sometimes of their own volition, sometimes with a gun to their back- all the while praying for that one thing...
And when their life takes an even more dramatic turn, Fathi takes the only course of action that is left to take ... Based on a true story, this tale will make you grateful for every little thing you have taken for granted…
Fathi wakes up one morning to discover Allah has decided to give every old chicken a second chance. And, as it turns out, this couple still in love since their rainstorm meeting two decades earlier. Together they journey from one gated city to the next -sometimes of their own volition, sometimes with a gun to their back- all the while praying for that one thing...
And when their life takes an even more dramatic turn, Fathi takes the only course of action that is left to take ... Based on a true story, this tale will make you grateful for every little thing you have taken for granted…
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2017
3 people are currently reading
2632 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 24, 2018
Twenty Two Years To Life is based on a true story, set in Gaza during the bombing of 2014. Returning from assignment in Gaza in 2014, I watched a full feature article I had written - on this same story - having a large cod slapped on top of it and the words which I had struggled to write, crumble in front of my eyes. This is first and foremost a LOVE story. Then it's a story about life and hope and how we look at each other. That we are really all the same, with the same hopes and dreams and wishes for life. The greatest crime in any conflict is the torment of children, as it leaves behind scars that will never heal. The Internet is full of memos that tell us how to act around children and how we need to look after them but somehow the children of Palestine, deprived of any form of benign childhood, are forgotten. They're presented as almost unreal, without hopes and dreams, and just numbers. This is not true. My wish is that this story, What Is Past Is Dead, and the last story in writing will offer close and personal stories that will make a difference, albeit a small one, for the children of Palestine. No one should be treated like an animal and collectively punished and imprisoned. Although I have written this story from Gaza, and my support to the people of Palestine is clear, the story is not biased. There is no black and white. The people of Gaza, of Palestine, face their own challenges within, unfortunately they'll be very difficult to challenge under an Israeli occupation. Free Palestine.
June 24, 2017
Extinguishing of hope, the light going out, desperation, the need to live disappearing, Morsi wrote that very well, after building up he also takes us down, down to the pits, to loss, to despair, without hope. So we get the backstory as to why, what leads to such acts.
Violence begets violence, you kill one of mine, I kill one of yours, the numbers may vary but blood is still blood and every drop is precious and cannot be replaced, it does not matter if the blood is of one side or the other, we all live under the same stars.
I do not have any solution to this debacle in my backyard which has been going on for more than 50 years, I just have a wish for peace to be found.
Leanne's speech
An excellent interview with the author
Fits slot 28 of my reading challenge - A novel set during wartime (unfortunately so)
Violence begets violence, you kill one of mine, I kill one of yours, the numbers may vary but blood is still blood and every drop is precious and cannot be replaced, it does not matter if the blood is of one side or the other, we all live under the same stars.
I do not have any solution to this debacle in my backyard which has been going on for more than 50 years, I just have a wish for peace to be found.
Leanne's speech
An excellent interview with the author
Fits slot 28 of my reading challenge - A novel set during wartime (unfortunately so)
July 4, 2017
Review originally posted in Abby's Shelves
Twenty-Two Years To Life, without a doubt, has been the best read of 2017 so far. Usually, I would not tell a book to be the best read outright like this without revealing the factors that lead to such a conclusion, but this book certainly is an exception. There are certain factors I consider essential that makes a great book and this one has it all.
The plot is based on a true story set in Middle Eastern country Gaza. The book starts with an author note that “This is work of fiction. The story is not. Free Palestine.” Even being a small book of merely 140 pages this is intense, heartbreaking, thrilling, a true page turner and a visual treat taking us through the lives of Palestine families amidst the war-torn Gaza due to the illegal Israeli occupation. The reader will experience an emotional rollercoaster that initially will make us smile, then bring to tears and finally chokes with emotions leaving us in a state of hopelessness.
The author is a fantastic storyteller that had me right from the first page and did not even take a break till I finished it. His first-hand experience apparently has given him an upper hand in making the book authentic. There are a couple of beautifully written passages, and this book is more than I could ask for in a book of this size.
Overall, Twenty Two Years to Life is one such fantastic read that echoes long after reading. Finally a worthy competitor for the Book of the Year 2017. Highly recommended; I would say a must read.
The author/publisher provided a complimentary copy via Goodreads Giveaway.
Twenty-Two Years To Life, without a doubt, has been the best read of 2017 so far. Usually, I would not tell a book to be the best read outright like this without revealing the factors that lead to such a conclusion, but this book certainly is an exception. There are certain factors I consider essential that makes a great book and this one has it all.
The plot is based on a true story set in Middle Eastern country Gaza. The book starts with an author note that “This is work of fiction. The story is not. Free Palestine.” Even being a small book of merely 140 pages this is intense, heartbreaking, thrilling, a true page turner and a visual treat taking us through the lives of Palestine families amidst the war-torn Gaza due to the illegal Israeli occupation. The reader will experience an emotional rollercoaster that initially will make us smile, then bring to tears and finally chokes with emotions leaving us in a state of hopelessness.
The author is a fantastic storyteller that had me right from the first page and did not even take a break till I finished it. His first-hand experience apparently has given him an upper hand in making the book authentic. There are a couple of beautifully written passages, and this book is more than I could ask for in a book of this size.
Overall, Twenty Two Years to Life is one such fantastic read that echoes long after reading. Finally a worthy competitor for the Book of the Year 2017. Highly recommended; I would say a must read.
The author/publisher provided a complimentary copy via Goodreads Giveaway.
February 7, 2017
It's difficult to review this book because it fluctuates between fiction, historical fiction and activism.
I was about to give it 4 stars, just because it's tough, so tough that it lingered on in my mind and made lie restless in my bed, unable to close my eyes.
I woke up today, wondering how close the author is to the story, how well he knows the people in the story. I went on Google and checked out a few of the details and was shocked that they were actually true. I had no idea...
I went through 142 pages in a day. A definite page turner and although I wanted to stop and put it down, I couldn't. I was left with questions, some were answered, other left to my imagination.
The author leaves no question to his allegiance with the people of Palestine but it's not romantised. Not at all, there is no black and white nor is there a right or wrong. If you are going to read this story, just be prepared for something else than we get fed with on TV.
There are a couple of beautiful passages in this book, really worthwhile a thought or two. Hence the 5 stars.
I was about to give it 4 stars, just because it's tough, so tough that it lingered on in my mind and made lie restless in my bed, unable to close my eyes.
I woke up today, wondering how close the author is to the story, how well he knows the people in the story. I went on Google and checked out a few of the details and was shocked that they were actually true. I had no idea...
I went through 142 pages in a day. A definite page turner and although I wanted to stop and put it down, I couldn't. I was left with questions, some were answered, other left to my imagination.
The author leaves no question to his allegiance with the people of Palestine but it's not romantised. Not at all, there is no black and white nor is there a right or wrong. If you are going to read this story, just be prepared for something else than we get fed with on TV.
There are a couple of beautiful passages in this book, really worthwhile a thought or two. Hence the 5 stars.
June 29, 2017
Was fortunate to win a copy from the good reads first reads program. This book is not an easy read but it is important. Based on a true story of living in war torn Palestine there are heart breaking scenes of death and violence. Also, descriptions of just living day to day in an active combat zone and just realizing the small freedoms that I take for granted. A powerful, quick read - recommended.
April 26, 2017
First,I thank the author for the Giveaway because this book means a big deal to me as Muslim and an Algerian , a reminder of our second country Palestine.
This book isn't exactly the kind of book you'll look forward to read and actually you really don't need to read because it's happening , it's not a work of fiction where we don't give a rat's ass about the characters because they don't exist , the characters are a our brothers who are suffering from the oppression of the Israelis.
The book is about meaningless large numbers of victims of John Does to the media that the author presented as Abu Hammada as a reminder that those John Does where alive at somepoint living their what is left of their lives to the fullest trying to survive and to save their families and even fighting for their stolen land .
This book isn't exactly the kind of book you'll look forward to read and actually you really don't need to read because it's happening , it's not a work of fiction where we don't give a rat's ass about the characters because they don't exist , the characters are a our brothers who are suffering from the oppression of the Israelis.
The book is about meaningless large numbers of victims of John Does to the media that the author presented as Abu Hammada as a reminder that those John Does where alive at somepoint living their what is left of their lives to the fullest trying to survive and to save their families and even fighting for their stolen land .
September 2, 2018
Twenty Two Years to life is a simple story of a complicated situation. The story of a couple who want to make a happy and peaceful family in the midst of the almost 70-year war between Palestine and Israel.
It does not matter to me which part of the world we belong to if we consider ourselves a supporter of peace and equality, but It is matter that we do not close our eyes to the fatal truth of the regime of Israel, Syria, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan or some of the African countries. It's matter to listen to the independent voices are heard from these countries. And this novel is one of those voices. The voice that provokes our conscience. I would recommend reading this short novel if you consider yourself a supporter of peace and equality.
It does not matter to me which part of the world we belong to if we consider ourselves a supporter of peace and equality, but It is matter that we do not close our eyes to the fatal truth of the regime of Israel, Syria, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan or some of the African countries. It's matter to listen to the independent voices are heard from these countries. And this novel is one of those voices. The voice that provokes our conscience. I would recommend reading this short novel if you consider yourself a supporter of peace and equality.
July 21, 2017
I was pleased to have won this book in a recent Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
All i can say is that it is well worth the read. It may be a quick read, but so much is packed into it. This book is based on a true story and one that has heartbreaking scenes in War torn Palestine (Gaza).
I have learned a lot from reading this book. Recommended.
All i can say is that it is well worth the read. It may be a quick read, but so much is packed into it. This book is based on a true story and one that has heartbreaking scenes in War torn Palestine (Gaza).
I have learned a lot from reading this book. Recommended.
February 8, 2017
Bumped into this young writer at the Brisbane writer's festival, otherwise I doubt that I ever would have found his work. He's a fantastic storyteller with a ripping good tale. Still finding his voice, perhaps, as an author, but the story had me from the first page and I didn't put it down til I finished. Like the previous novella he's published, this is a visceral tale set in the Middle East, at once political and deeply personal. Highly recommended!
February 10, 2017
This is a damn good story! Can I say more. I would say amazing and give it 5 stars I found it intense, heartfelt, passionate, page turning, thrilling and visual. It's not a book you read before you go to sleep. I had to leave it and as soon as I woke up I grabbed it and finished it! It's well written. Recommended.
May 20, 2018
This reads like a memoir; a Palestine man living in Gaza marries, they have trouble getting pregnant but after 20 years they give birth to a son. There’s been a period of relative peace but the Israelis start to escalate their military action and many Palestinians die. Death begets revenge that begets more death.
This is not a great piece of literature but it is a reminder of the rarely heard voice of the oppressed.
This is not a great piece of literature but it is a reminder of the rarely heard voice of the oppressed.
March 22, 2017
A gripping story that needed to be shared, offering insights into an uncomfortable, unreachable and misunderstood part of the world. This book reinforces the beauty and tragedy of humanity. It's heartbreaking and complex even as an armchair spectator. This book makes you ask questions of yourself. I am richer for having read it. Well done Morsi.
February 12, 2017
My best read yet in 2017 this love story will make you smile, bring you to tears and then leave you breathless in a very short time.
Sadly a true story, this book depicts a Palestinian families life amidst the relentless brutalities of war during the Israeli occupation of Gaza. We share in their happiest times and their worst, the stuff of nightmares. We see enduring love and hope against all odds, and feel utter hopelessness in the harrowing destructiveness of war.
With vivid descriptions of scenery and setting throughout, this wholly engaging story resonates long after reading, your left thinking of their story and the many others untold.
Like the authors previous book, What is past is dead, you will not want to put it down until you’ve reached the end.
Sadly a true story, this book depicts a Palestinian families life amidst the relentless brutalities of war during the Israeli occupation of Gaza. We share in their happiest times and their worst, the stuff of nightmares. We see enduring love and hope against all odds, and feel utter hopelessness in the harrowing destructiveness of war.
With vivid descriptions of scenery and setting throughout, this wholly engaging story resonates long after reading, your left thinking of their story and the many others untold.
Like the authors previous book, What is past is dead, you will not want to put it down until you’ve reached the end.
June 27, 2017
What a book, what a writer, very heart rending story.
April 14, 2018
A must read, its all i can say
September 23, 2017
This book was as amazing as it sounds. I loved every single word that broke my heart beautifully and made me understand the incredible and untouchable meaning of our fragile lives.
First of all, when I first saw this book, I only thought about it as a lecture about war and suffering like any other. But I realised that I had been so extremely wrong when I discovered the other "side" of the Fathi's story, that side that is directly connected to God and to that kind of experiences beyond this material world.
Furthermore, the author's way of describing the plot and the characters' feelings and thoughts is a masterpiece itself. I couldn't feel more heartbroken and shook even if I tried. This thought-provoking book had me crying of despair, but I do not regret one single second of reading it.
I cannot put into words all the feelings and emotions I experienced because of the brilliant and cruelly real life story of Fathi. I wish I had read this book earlier❤
First of all, when I first saw this book, I only thought about it as a lecture about war and suffering like any other. But I realised that I had been so extremely wrong when I discovered the other "side" of the Fathi's story, that side that is directly connected to God and to that kind of experiences beyond this material world.
Furthermore, the author's way of describing the plot and the characters' feelings and thoughts is a masterpiece itself. I couldn't feel more heartbroken and shook even if I tried. This thought-provoking book had me crying of despair, but I do not regret one single second of reading it.
I cannot put into words all the feelings and emotions I experienced because of the brilliant and cruelly real life story of Fathi. I wish I had read this book earlier❤
October 12, 2017
The way the author let you embrace the character’s action details is unique.
Suddenly all the feelings comes stronger than the page before, one minute you’re laughing, the minute after you’re crying. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions.
His stories teach us a lot about human beings and about what we need more as humans: love, peace, hope, happiness, because we are all from the same land.
He reveals and spreads the truth about some world parts that not everyone knows.
Learning, understanding, take action.
Suddenly all the feelings comes stronger than the page before, one minute you’re laughing, the minute after you’re crying. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions.
His stories teach us a lot about human beings and about what we need more as humans: love, peace, hope, happiness, because we are all from the same land.
He reveals and spreads the truth about some world parts that not everyone knows.
Learning, understanding, take action.
December 29, 2017
A great read, revealing the adversities the palestininans go through. It is a shame indeed, that the world remains a silent spectator.
Talking of double standards, “...when three Palestinian children died or when three Palestinian babies, still in their mother’s wombs, died. As Palestinians they were merely numbers, seldom given names. Nearly always they were without stories, without lives people could relate to- and of course, they were without faces.”
“Twenty two years to life” makes a worthy attempt to relate one of the many untold stories of Palestinians. Loved the book.
Talking of double standards, “...when three Palestinian children died or when three Palestinian babies, still in their mother’s wombs, died. As Palestinians they were merely numbers, seldom given names. Nearly always they were without stories, without lives people could relate to- and of course, they were without faces.”
“Twenty two years to life” makes a worthy attempt to relate one of the many untold stories of Palestinians. Loved the book.
August 7, 2017
"Fighting an oppressor brings out oppressors within your own kind you did not know existed."
Morsi shares a story that is at once universal and particular to its time and place. "Twenty Two Years to Life" includes love, hope and joy but all that is drained as loss and desperation take hold as death and darkness is everywhere.
This is a difficult but important read.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
Morsi shares a story that is at once universal and particular to its time and place. "Twenty Two Years to Life" includes love, hope and joy but all that is drained as loss and desperation take hold as death and darkness is everywhere.
This is a difficult but important read.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
July 9, 2017
Mohammed Massoud Morsi has written a beautiful and important story: it helped me remember that we are all human, we all want the same things: to laugh, to love and to live in peace. For everything I have and you have, reading this book is a reminder of what unites us all as people - and how cruelly fate divides us into those who live free and those who do not.
December 14, 2017
The desperation I felt when I read this book was heart wrenching. The author so succinctly, but also very powerfully describes what really happens in war. No happy endings in sight. However, it is such an important read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2018
Read it not for the story, but for the context.
May 30, 2018
Israelis, Palestinians, we should all read this. Tough, heartbreaking, honest and also hopeful..
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August 10, 2018'Twenty Two Years to Life' is the story of a young man and woman who fall in love, get married, and plan a family together. It is perhaps the most ‘normal’ story in the world – a love story. Except that in the life of this deeply devoted couple ‘normal’ is also a harsh world of permits, razor wire, scarcity and fear. The dichotomy between love and oppression echoes through this powerful narrative, taking the reader on a shifting journey between the delicate and the devastating. In 'Twenty Two Years to Life' Morsi, writing with tremendous empathy, has distilled a political conflict into a very human, visceral story. In doing so he asks us all to consider what a person bereft of hope might eventually become capable of.
December 15, 2018
You forgot because the media do not talk about it anymore. I mean, not really. But you don't want to forget! Let's meet a great author and read about what happened, and still happens in Gaza. Powerful words. Love against war. But can we still talking about war when people are trapped?... If you want to make your own opinion read the book please. Mohammed Massoud Morsi makes you feel you really share something with the characters. This is how he touches your heart. This is how you could change your vision of the world, like I did... We need to remember, Mohammed Massoud Morsi is helping through his words, full of truth, meaning and feelings. I wish I could offer the book in french to my friends!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews