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The Collaborator of Bethlehem
(First of Omar Yussef Mysteries)
Matt Rees
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Omar Yussef is one of those well-drawn and very human characters that will join the ranks of Alexander McCall-Smith's Precious Ramotswe. Omar, a schoolteacher at the United Nations School for Girls in Bethlehem, does not toe the expected lines. A Muslim. He loves his students and strives to teach them humanity along with history. He also loves his students, and in the opening he is meeting to catch up with ...more
(First of Omar Yussef Mysteries)
Matt Rees
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Omar Yussef is one of those well-drawn and very human characters that will join the ranks of Alexander McCall-Smith's Precious Ramotswe. Omar, a schoolteacher at the United Nations School for Girls in Bethlehem, does not toe the expected lines. A Muslim. He loves his students and strives to teach them humanity along with history. He also loves his students, and in the opening he is meeting to catch up with ...more

I had great expectation for the book ... from my score ... well yes I was a bit disappointed. It is not the story per se that I did not like, but I had a hard time sometimes to follow.
It would have been much easier for me if I had had access to a glossary. I know, I know it is basic terms that Rees has used but I do not know them ... I could sort of understand but ... it would have more enjoyable, instead I have found this distracting.
The story and the writing were good.
Not sure I would recommen ...more
It would have been much easier for me if I had had access to a glossary. I know, I know it is basic terms that Rees has used but I do not know them ... I could sort of understand but ... it would have more enjoyable, instead I have found this distracting.
The story and the writing were good.
Not sure I would recommen ...more

I've been waiting for years for the crime genre to enter the Arab world. So, it was with great anticipation I picked up Welsh journalist Rees' Bethlehem-set book starring middle-aged schoolteacher Omar Yussef. For full review, see http://www.amazon.com/review/RW2IKIX0...
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Harrowing in its view of a society in freefall, but lined with threads of hope and decency. A fascinating view on Middle East strife as seen in miniature.

Feb 27, 2012
Vesra (When She Reads)
marked it as to-read
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review of another edition
Shelves:
tbr-2012

Jul 30, 2015
Ginger
marked it as to-read