Chapter 10 - 20

[Melanie]

We are crossing the midway point? Share your thoughts here

[Milena]

Here are my thoughts after reading chapters 10-20:

Bold comments: I found the comment made by Hilmi about both Hamas and the Israeli army very powerful : Isn't it the exact same fascist scene, with guns and soldiers and holy books? I can totally see how questions such as this scattered throughout the book provoked intense response in Israel. To me such questions are vital to keep discussion open and to get the younger generations thinking about the world they are living in.

Reaching for stereotypes: I thought the part where Liat has the image of Hilmi as an Arab terrrorist in her head, when he tells her he has been in prison, is such an honest response to write. When we are uncomfortable, facing challenges, it is so easy to return to what feels familiar, however wrong that familiar can be. Fear plays such a strong role in everyday life in this book and also in the world at large and there are such stark consequences.

The sadness and darkness in Hilmi's past and his mental health in the present: I love that Hilmi's past is explored in more depth in this part of the book. I think we get to know him on another level in these chapters- he isn't all positivity and light. The story of the song and the melody he was forced to sing in prison, really spoke to me. Though the experience was beyond horrible, the melody remained beautiful to him. The mania Hilmi experiences through his art and drug taking is also most striking. All of a sudden he is not the gentle, in control person that Liat first saw. He is 'intoxicated' , there is depression, paranoia and visions, which break him wide open. The language and images used were so well chosen, I really felt a connection with Hilmi.

Less sympathy with Liat: Liat's response to this other side of Hilmi, left me feeling rather disappointed in her. She says she didn't want to deal with the vulnerability, the fragility and though she is worried she is also annoyed by it. She is clearly out of her comfort zone and returns to her ordered, organised self to cope. But I expected more from her. How good is this book, that I feel so emotionally involved with the characters :) The way she compartmentalises the relationship, telling Hilmi that it will not last beyond the here and now, really touched my heart- the insensitivity like at the railway station when she doesn't want to be seen with him, is pretty harsh,even though she does realise this afterwards. She admits that she doesn't have 'the guts' for a longer relationship and I think she retreats to her Jewish friends to regain her sense of safety.

Love changes you: this is a message I see clearly in this section. Liam's sister talks about a spell being cast, how she is not the same person and even when Liat is with her Jewish friends, someone notices that there is 'something different' about her. Though she is fighting it, she is evolving through her experiences- she has more layers to her being.

Yaron: isn't he the total opposite of Hilmi? I think that that Liat's need for family is highlighted in her response to Yaron, it is about family connection, about children in the future. She cannot combine this longing with what she has with Hilmi; two separate worlds

Hilmi's paintings: it is interesting that only now can she see what he is painting even though she has seen the actual pictures before. When she talks she tries to normalise the refugee situation of 1948, I believe it is because she just doesn't have the words to discuss this, it is beyond her experience but at the same time it really highlights the difference between her and Hilmi.

The sea: Liat denies her thoughts about it as it is yet another division and Hilmi says again how he intends to live by it. What a clever symbol the sea is in this book.

This book is so full of emotion, written so evocatively that I am feeling a bit drained half way through. I wonder what will happen next!

[Deirdre]

Things are getting more intense and there just seems to be so much sadness. Their relationship is in a constant state of limbo it seems. I feel bad for this couple because everything is veiled by this May 20th date.
I thought the conversation Liat had with Iris was really telling and matched many of the stories Liat has told of her life in Israel.

However, I'm finding Liat more frustrating as the book moves forward. It seems she is always suspicious of Hilmi and always holds him at arms length. I can understand why to a point but I also can see how hurtful that must be. Hilmi feels inconsequential and rightly so.
I'm not sure where this relationship stands. At times there is sweetness but I don't get the sense of real love between these characters.

[Keriann]

I feel so sorry for Hilmi, he must be hurting a lot to know that he has to be secret and that the woman he loves seems to be embarrassed by him and pushing him away. I was struggling to get into this book at the start but absolutely loving it now 😀

[Candace]

I wonder what Hilmi's family would think of him dating Liat? We only really hear Liat and her family's perspective. I keep expecting Hilmi to end things with Liat any page now...

[Melanie]

Loving all your thoughts on the book :) Really enjoy catching up with it all.

[Melanie]

Ilka wrote: "Somewhere along the way in this part of the book, I just disconnected completely from the characters. Part of it is that it's told in retrospect from Liat's point of view and the way she jumps arou..."

I get your frustration and anger with Liat and I can understand the disconnection.