Chapter 29 - 35

[Melanie]

What do you think about the ending? What do you think about the ban of the book in Israel?

Thanks for joining in.

[Deirdre]

Wow! I was not expecting that ending. It completely floored me. I was so completely heartbroken.
It was so heartbreaking throughout these chapters knowing how close they were to one another.
One thing I really enjoyed were the descriptions of Israel. Chapter 29 was almost all descriptions and each passage was just so beautiful. I could actually picture the beauty of this county that I have never visited. Just amazing.
I think I can understand why this book is banned considering the incredible prejudice the Israelis and Palestinians have towards one another. I find it to be such a shame. How I wish we could have a more peaceful, loving and accepting world just as Hilmi had envisioned.

[Melanie]

I know what you mean Dee, it's heartbreaking that a land that is so beautiful (and I am lucky enough to have been) is so full of heartache. In many ways the fact that these two cannot make their relationship work despite obviously being soulmates has made me feel so hopeless for that part of the world. I think the main reason of the book being banned is also the fact that it discusses quite prominently the single state solution, something which is not discussed in Israel at all. Definitely an interesting and hearbreaking book.

[Candace]

Ah! Shocking! I thought there would be a resolution.

-Funny that Hilmi didn't want to paint any more without Liat but did find passion for gardening.
-The eternal optimist cannot exist/persist which makes this ending doubly sad for me.
-The concrete wall being built and people not having a way out. How can change ever come about?!?

Definitely a heartbreaker :(

[Sela]

I thought the ending, though heartbreaking, was exactly right. Realistically, the couple could have no long term future together and I was expecting Hilmi to be shot by an Israeli soldier. This was a much more artistically satisfying conclusion to a wonderful and devastating read

[Milena]

I'm in pieces. Sniff. There was always a sense of foreboding inherent in this book and I did prepare myself for the lack of an happy ever after. But still! These characters stole my heart, I had so much emotion invested in them.

I am however really glad that Hilmi was not shot, that it was not a stereotypical, expected ending. The description of his drowning in the blues was so beautifully tragic. Even in death Hilmi had beauty. Of course his last act was one of protection, of love.

The sumptuous description of Hilmi's landscape in this part of the book was absolutely gorgeous. I was there in my head and with my heart. I love how the love for his land took over his entire being. It felt almost too perfect- the idealist, the dreamer cannot maintain this existence. For a moment, at the end, I lost hope because I so desperately want this kind of beauty to prevail, to win over war and this crazily busy century. However, the longer I thought the more I came to the conclusion that Hilmi experienced so much joy during his time in his house and on his rented land, that maybe it is this joy that matters. no matter how transient.

I can see why such an honest book, which poses many crucial questions, was banned. People often fear questioning and honest debate because this so often leads to more conflict, more war, more death. The younger generations have the energy, the perspective and the opportunity to create radical changes- such a book ignites, inspires. Though the two characters can never live happily ever after, though even their love isn't strong enough to over come the division, they show possibility.

[Milena]

I'm in pieces. Sniff. There was always a sense of foreboding inherent in this book and I did prepare myself for the lack of an happy ever after. But still! These characters stole my heart, I had so much emotion invested in them.

I am however really glad that Hilmi was not shot, that it was not a stereotypical, expected ending. The description of his drowning in the blues was so beautifully tragic. Even in death Hilmi had beauty. Of course his last act was one of protection, of love.

The sumptuous description of Hilmi's landscape in this part of the book was absolutely gorgeous. I was there in my head and with my heart. I love how the love for his land took over his entire being. It felt almost too perfect- the idealist, the dreamer cannot maintain this existence. For a moment, at the end, I lost hope because I so desperately want this kind of beauty to prevail, to win over war and this crazily busy century. However, the longer I thought the more I came to the conclusion that Hilmi experienced so much joy during his time in his house and on his rented land, that maybe it is this joy that matters. no matter how transient.

I can see why such an honest book, which poses many crucial questions, was banned. People often fear questioning and honest debate because this so often leads to more conflict, more war, more death. The younger generations have the energy, the perspective and the opportunity to create radical changes- such a book ignites, inspires. Though the two characters can never live happily ever after, though even their love isn't strong enough to over come the division, they show possibility.

[Melanie]

Candace wrote: "Ah! Shocking! I thought there would be a resolution.

-Funny that Hilmi didn't want to paint any more without Liat but did find passion for gardening.
-The eternal optimist cannot exist/persist w..."
Yep the ending was very heartbreaking.

[Melanie]

Sela wrote: "I thought the ending, though heartbreaking, was exactly right. Realistically, the couple could have no long term future together and I was expecting Hilmi to be shot by an Israeli soldier. This was..."

Yes Sela, I cannot see how else it could have ended.

[Melanie]

Ilka wrote: "I agree, this was the only way the story could have ended and I'm really glad Hilmi wasn't shot by an Israeli soldier.
This last part of the story really spoke to the core of who Hilmi and Liat are..."
Yes, I get that and for me the book only really works as an allegory for the situation in the Middle East. Thanks for joining in.