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We Were Strangers: A Novel
The love of two strangers against the world He was busy supporting his wife on her final journey when their eyes met. She too was there with her husband. A while late, when both are in Italy, they accidently meet again and their fleeting glance develops into a romance.
They learn they have a lot in common, not only the loss of a partner to cancer and the pain of being left alone. Even though they belong to different religions - Yossi is Jewish and Jihan is Arab-Christian, their romance turns into a loving partnership.
The hope that their families and community will accept them as a couple and focus on the love between them, is painfully tested, leaving their relationship fragile.
They have to face angry family members and hate filled community members, some of whom vehemently oppose their wish to be together. Now, she has to make a choice between her son and her happiness and he is forced to make a cruel choice between remaining in his community and putting an end to their personal happiness, or staying together and be ostracized, losing everything.
They learn they have a lot in common, not only the loss of a partner to cancer and the pain of being left alone. Even though they belong to different religions - Yossi is Jewish and Jihan is Arab-Christian, their romance turns into a loving partnership.
The hope that their families and community will accept them as a couple and focus on the love between them, is painfully tested, leaving their relationship fragile.
They have to face angry family members and hate filled community members, some of whom vehemently oppose their wish to be together. Now, she has to make a choice between her son and her happiness and he is forced to make a cruel choice between remaining in his community and putting an end to their personal happiness, or staying together and be ostracized, losing everything.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2019
54 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 5, 2019
interesting story... not my favorite genre honestly but it was well written and interesting so i didnt dislike it. characters were good and the plot was good. overall an interesting story to read.
January 30, 2019
Love conquers all obstacles
Israeli author Israel Oz served as Finance Ministry Chief-of-Staff during Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's government, coordinating the economic peace talks with the Palestinians in Paris for the implementation of the Oslo Accords among other achievements. His life has provided observation of the characteristics of segregated communities – the stimulus for his two novels. He lives in Tel Aviv and has managed, chaired, and directed various industrial corporations.
The author’s note leads us into the novel he has written with such eloquence – ‘When we stray from democracy's path, literature's role is to expose what occurs behind the walls of hypocrisy. In this book, I wanted to expose a reality, hidden behind the misleading exterior of small, remote communities and enable the reader to see behind the well-kept homes adorned with gardens and other facades. The truth that exists there illuminates the deep roots of arrogance, racism and closed-minded scrutiny that violate even the liberty to love.’
Although this radiant novel is focused on the disparate climes of Judaism and Christianity, the communities of Arabs and Jews, the story is so universal that it applies to all people whose communities are at odds with each other. The insight into racial differences in the bonding between two people is a direct parallel to the situation and conflicts of the main characters of WE WERE STRANGERS.
Israel offers a fine synopsis of his plot – ‘The love of two strangers against the world. He was busy supporting his wife on her final journey when their eyes met. She too was there with her husband. A while later, when both are in Italy, they accidently meet again and their fleeting glance develops into a romance. They learn they have a lot in common, not only the loss of a partner to cancer and the pain of being left alone. Even though they belong to different religions - Yossi is Jewish and Jihan is Arab-Christian, their romance turns into a loving partnership. The hope that their families and community will accept them as a couple and focus on the love between them, is painfully tested, leaving their relationship fragile. They have to face angry family members and hate filled community members, some of whom vehemently oppose their wish to be together. Now, she has to make a choice between her son and her happiness and he is forced to make a cruel choice between remaining in his community and putting an end to their personal happiness, or staying together and be ostracized, losing everything.’
Yossi and Jihan represent all people of contrasting life styles and beliefs and that is one reason why this splendid story is so significant, so universal, and so tender. Highly recommended.
Israeli author Israel Oz served as Finance Ministry Chief-of-Staff during Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's government, coordinating the economic peace talks with the Palestinians in Paris for the implementation of the Oslo Accords among other achievements. His life has provided observation of the characteristics of segregated communities – the stimulus for his two novels. He lives in Tel Aviv and has managed, chaired, and directed various industrial corporations.
The author’s note leads us into the novel he has written with such eloquence – ‘When we stray from democracy's path, literature's role is to expose what occurs behind the walls of hypocrisy. In this book, I wanted to expose a reality, hidden behind the misleading exterior of small, remote communities and enable the reader to see behind the well-kept homes adorned with gardens and other facades. The truth that exists there illuminates the deep roots of arrogance, racism and closed-minded scrutiny that violate even the liberty to love.’
Although this radiant novel is focused on the disparate climes of Judaism and Christianity, the communities of Arabs and Jews, the story is so universal that it applies to all people whose communities are at odds with each other. The insight into racial differences in the bonding between two people is a direct parallel to the situation and conflicts of the main characters of WE WERE STRANGERS.
Israel offers a fine synopsis of his plot – ‘The love of two strangers against the world. He was busy supporting his wife on her final journey when their eyes met. She too was there with her husband. A while later, when both are in Italy, they accidently meet again and their fleeting glance develops into a romance. They learn they have a lot in common, not only the loss of a partner to cancer and the pain of being left alone. Even though they belong to different religions - Yossi is Jewish and Jihan is Arab-Christian, their romance turns into a loving partnership. The hope that their families and community will accept them as a couple and focus on the love between them, is painfully tested, leaving their relationship fragile. They have to face angry family members and hate filled community members, some of whom vehemently oppose their wish to be together. Now, she has to make a choice between her son and her happiness and he is forced to make a cruel choice between remaining in his community and putting an end to their personal happiness, or staying together and be ostracized, losing everything.’
Yossi and Jihan represent all people of contrasting life styles and beliefs and that is one reason why this splendid story is so significant, so universal, and so tender. Highly recommended.
March 8, 2019
First, I want to thank Israel Oz for providing this book so I may bring you this review.
We Were Strangers by Israel Oz is a very unique story that has never been told before. It is a very sweet yet sad at times book.
Kudos to the graphic artist who did the cover of this book. I really loved the colors and the picture that I assume was Yossi and Jihan. It represented the book very well.
This book was from another culture and had very unique character names to it. For example Yossi, Jihan, Talia, and Eliza.
I laughed when Yossi was on the train and individuals whom were speaking Arabic, Hebrew and medical terms. To Yossi it sounded like cryptic messages reserved for the medical profession.
They say everything happens for a reason. While at the hospital’s oncology department (where both spouses are dying) Yossi and Jihan strike up a friendship.
We Were Strangers by Israel Oz is a very unique story that has never been told before. It is a very sweet yet sad at times book.
Kudos to the graphic artist who did the cover of this book. I really loved the colors and the picture that I assume was Yossi and Jihan. It represented the book very well.
This book was from another culture and had very unique character names to it. For example Yossi, Jihan, Talia, and Eliza.
I laughed when Yossi was on the train and individuals whom were speaking Arabic, Hebrew and medical terms. To Yossi it sounded like cryptic messages reserved for the medical profession.
They say everything happens for a reason. While at the hospital’s oncology department (where both spouses are dying) Yossi and Jihan strike up a friendship.
May 23, 2019
We were strangers is a powerful and inspiring book. That takes two different cultures and throws them into an awe inspiring book. You will love this book. Has everything from romance, the journey of two lonely souls who each have gone through their walks of life and want some comfort from one another. They don't care about their religion, culture and race. But they will come up against it all in this novel. But will they make through to the end. Couldn't put it down once I started. Starts off a little slow, because your learning about each character.
June 22, 2019
This is very informative and interesting. It's also heartbreaking and sad. To me, it is unfortunate that 80% of their romance story focuses on why they shouldn't even have a relationship but I guess that's the reality of their environment. Both characters have their own misgivings to iron through and adversity abounds, only the strong survive. I received a copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
March 28, 2019
How do you merge a cross-cultural love and communities in a story that encompasses much more than just a romance story? This book is a good example of that and how to deal with the expectations of your family and those around you.
April 14, 2019
This was very detailed and very graphic. A really good storyline written in an extremely descriptive nature. A lot of thought and emotion went into this book and I can't wait to see what else the author comes up with.
May 1, 2021
A love story, a life story, a hope story
Words woven I picture Israel, Yossi , and his mountain homes There is the frustrating drama that Yossi has to decide whether he wants to continue to bear.
Words woven I picture Israel, Yossi , and his mountain homes There is the frustrating drama that Yossi has to decide whether he wants to continue to bear.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews