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Buddy Read Discussion The Last Watchman Of Old Cairo: A Novel- Hide Spoilers
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I loved the air of mystery, and through all three timeline stories, about what actually was real and what wasn’t and the sword of sense of mystical combine with the unknown combined with the sense of meaning is what you make of it. That to me was sort of the perfect end. That somehow you don’t know it’s true or not, you’re just left with what you think you might want to believe actually happened. Which is where we the readers are left as well. I sort of love that and it was sort of perfect. Not everything is explainable.
Often the unexplained is the most amazing. Even in life it can be like this.
Completely with you on that. Even held back using the word faith. We’re so in the same page about things lately. Yes it is indeed amazing when the unexplainable just sort of softly lands. I wonder if others appreciated the end as well?
Booknblues wrote: "Rachel wrote: "There are a few different storylines that led me in this book. I am one that even when reading historical fiction can go off on a rabbit trail doing research on something I read abou..."
It was sold but it seems as though it is still in good hands. The Cambridge Library has quite a bit of it as does The Jewish Theological Seminary right here in America.
It was sold but it seems as though it is still in good hands. The Cambridge Library has quite a bit of it as does The Jewish Theological Seminary right here in America.
One of the things, I loved was the somewhat parallel stories between the first watchmen and the infatuation he had with the Jewish woman and Joseph's parents.I liked the story of his parents, but we were not given enough sense of either his mother and father. We had to fill in the gaps ourselves.
So full circle though, that the line and the journey ends with the son of a half Jewish half muslim parentage. That falling in love felt strange and also mysterious and untold. Really as if its entire point was to produce him - as sort of a memory keeper of the line. I found that so interesting.
What's the common thought about what must have happened with the Ezra Scroll? Where do we truly think or believe it landed?
Amy wrote: "What's the common thought about what must have happened with the Ezra Scroll? Where do we truly think or believe it landed?"I was wondering that this morning.
Perhaps is was stolen for money? Perhaps it was taken away and buried somewhere for the continuation of its safety? So many possibilities.
Or did it somehow still mystically live in the possession of the old Jews in Cairo? Maybe they were the last Watchmen.
Amy wrote: "Or did it somehow still mystically live in the possession of the old Jews in Cairo? Maybe they were the last Watchmen."
Amy we need to write our own version in the story. I do this all the time in my head with books. And movies.:) I like your version very much.
Amy we need to write our own version in the story. I do this all the time in my head with books. And movies.:) I like your version very much.
I did like this book. It taught me about the Cairo Geniza which is a fascinating true story without any fictional narrative attached to it. There was enough good writing, especially in Ali's story, that I will look for more of this author's work.
But I think the Lukas left too many dangling threads, the fate of the Ezra scroll among them. He also took a stab at a number of important themes and didn't really develop them.
I just wanted more from this book.
I couldn't put this down and finished it in 3 days! Now that I've got it completed I will read through the questions and general discussion and add my thoughts tomorrow along with my review.
Hayjay315 wrote: "I couldn't put this down and finished it in 3 days! Now that I've got it completed I will read through the questions and general discussion and add my thoughts tomorrow along with my review."
So glad you liked it. I'm still thinking about this book. I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to your review and thoughts.
So glad you liked it. I'm still thinking about this book. I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to your review and thoughts.
Hayjay, Welcome to the discussion and looking forward to your thoughts.
For me the beauty and major theme of this book is summed up in this quote from page 244 "The beating heart of any story was an unanswerable question." In all three timelines there is a search for answers which helped me to be invested in all of them so do not have a favorite.As for what happened to the Ezra Scroll I'm inclined to believe that Mr. Mosseri is the keeper of it.
I try to be intentional at the beginning of each year by reading something that I anticipate will be a meaty and enlightening book and this year I chose Weight of Ink and it definitely did not disappoint as it ended up being given a 5 star rating!
I love that quote! I think often this is true in real life as well. I loved the search, in all three timelines. And while the search was for different reasons it was meaningful to each character.
Hayjay315 wrote: "For me the beauty and major theme of this book is summed up in this quote from page 244 "The beating heart of any story was an unanswerable question." In all three timelines there is a search for a..."I like that and it makes me much more comfortable with dangling questions which were not solved in the book.
Hayjay315 wrote: "For me the beauty and major theme of this book is summed up in this quote from page 244 "The beating heart of any story was an unanswerable question." In all three timelines there is a search for a..."I like that quotation. I'd like it better if the author had done more to develop the beating heart of his story. I know I'm in a minority here. But I don't think that Lukas did enough to elaborate the mystery. He just told us it was there.
That was one difference between this book and The Weight of Ink. I felt the beating heart of the unanswerable questions in Kadish's book. Lukas just stated that it was there.
Maybe this same group reads the Weight of Ink together... around November for me. I’ve got to others with Rachel before this.
I'm in for November for those that want to read this.
Rachel, we have We we’re the Lucky Ones and Circe. Plus the Weight of Ink. Want to change around the order? It’s really up to the two of us who are the common denominator for all three books. Also, I have been paying attention to the other thread with just complete love. Sending you every blessing, as well as strength, and compassion.
I have the three books written down and I don't mind what order we do them in at all. I actually own 2 of the books and only need to go to the library for one so that makes it simpler. Especially now that I live in a town that is apparently full of readers!!
Also, thank you. It is much appreciated.
Also, thank you. It is much appreciated.
I was also thinking you might be looking for a recommendation from me for August for the Decathalon. We can talk more about this. But I sort of already came up with one or two ideas. Maybe three.
Jgrace wrote: "Hayjay315 wrote: "For me the beauty and major theme of this book is summed up in this quote from page 244 "The beating heart of any story was an unanswerable question." In all three timelines there..."I agree that The Weight of Ink was a much better book than this one.
I enjoyed The Last Watchman, but didn't find it deeply compelling. I rated it a 4 star, but I find my four stars have many different levels.
Amy wrote: "Maybe this same group reads the Weight of Ink together... around November for me. I’ve got to others with Rachel before this."Amy, I'm sure you'll love Weight of Ink when you read it.
Amy wrote: "I was also thinking you might be looking for a recommendation from me for August for the Decathalon. We can talk more about this. But I sort of already came up with one or two ideas. Maybe three."
Is it okay if I take part in the decathlon? I started into this group late so I haven't really done that challenge? But I would love suggestions and would most definitely love to be involved even if I haven't done them all. Now that I have a better feel for the group, next year I'll do more.
Is it okay if I take part in the decathlon? I started into this group late so I haven't really done that challenge? But I would love suggestions and would most definitely love to be involved even if I haven't done them all. Now that I have a better feel for the group, next year I'll do more.
Rachel wrote: "Amy wrote: "I was also thinking you might be looking for a recommendation from me for August for the Decathalon. We can talk more about this. But I sort of already came up with one or two ideas. Ma..."Sure use this for the decathalon. Even if you don't finish it in September(I won't either) , You have some time to finish it.
I just finished the book today, I had to make myself finish it. Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in a couple of spots and had a had time connecting the dots in the storyline.
I had to reread the end and I still don't see it. Overall the book is just too much for me to comprehend.
I really wanted to like the book but don't.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "I just finished the book today, I had to make myself finish it. Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in a couple of spots and had a had time conn..."
I'm sorry that it didn't work for you.
Booknblues wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "I just finished the book today, I had to make myself finish it. Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in a couple of spots ..."
With the passing of my Mother(past away on July18, funeral 23),
I can't help but wonder if the timing of reading the book was a bad one. I just could not embrace the story line for lack of a clear mind.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "I just finished the book today, I had to make myself finish it. Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in..."
I'm so sorry for your loss. Of course you couldn't concentrate on the book. I'm impressed that you were able to finish it.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "I just finished the book today, I had to make myself finish it. Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in..."
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It is rough, both my husband and I experienced this last year and concentrating can be impossible.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "I just finished the book today, I had to make myself finish it.
Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in..."
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Reading any book during a time like this would have been hard. Take care of yourself.
Wow, that was a lot to take in and think about. I must admit, I got lost in the details in..."
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Reading any book during a time like this would have been hard. Take care of yourself.
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I loved the ending as well. I was so happy where Joseph ended up. It was where he was supposed to be. In his own way being the watchman over the synagogue like those before him. It seems as thought he was content in this work. For me he was the lone character that I wasn't sure of. For awhile I wasn't sure where he was going to fit in but as time went on I could see his path. In the end it was perfect for me.