Fast Times in Palestine

by Pamela Olson

Pamela Olson escaped from rural Oklahoma and fulfilled her dream of studying physics at Stanford. But instead of feeling excited for what came next, she felt consumed by dread and confusion. This irresistible memoir chronicles her journey from aimless bartender to Ramallah-based journalist and foreign press coordinator for a Palestinian presidential candidate.With dizzying speed she found herself attending Yasser Arafat's funeral, sharing a holiday dinner with a suicide bomber's family, tour-guiding Jewish and Israeli friends around the West Bank, dating a Palestinian from a conservative Muslim village, being held at gunpoint and injured by a stun grenade, witnessing the 2005 Disengagement from inside the Gaza Strip, and watching Hamas (barely) win historic elections.The gripping narrative focuses not only on violence, terror, and politics but also on the daily rounds of house parties, concerts, barbecues, weddings, jokes, harvests, and romantic drama that happen in between.From idyllic olive groves to Palestinian beer gardens, from Passover in Tel Aviv to Ramadan in a village known for nonviolent resistance, from rooftop parties in Ramallah to militant rallies in Nablus, the book is packed with suspense, humor, and unforgettable characters. Its seamless blend of travelogue, memoir, and narrative journalism ramps the reader up to a sophisticated understanding of the Israel/Palestine conflict.Funny, gorgeous, shocking, and galvanizing, Fast Times in Palestine challenges the way we think not only about the Middle East but about human nature and our place in the world.REVIEWS"Harrowing, funny, vivid, entertaining and deeply humane, Fast Times in Palestine opens a rare window onto Palestinian life. It's impossible not to be moved on nearly every page."— Sandy Tolan, author of The Lemon Tree"A moving, inspiring account of life in Palestine that’s enormously informative yet reads like a novel."— Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Director, Jewish Voice for Peace"It’s love in the time of occupation as Pamela Olson takes us on the emotional roller-coaster of her very personal experience of life in Ramallah — and in doing so lays bare the human drama of a people determined to live free."— Tony Karon, TIME“More than a travelogue or a polemic, the book is a coming-of-age story... Engaging and easy to read, this is a fascinating memoir.”— Publishers WeeklyTo learn more, visit pamolson.org

419 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2021

Reviews

[Cindy Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My knowledge of the Middle East has always been influenced by my United States upbringing. This book exposed me to a whole new perspective, a new way to look at things. I loved her writing and storytelling, it is easy to follow and very interesting!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! A book that reads like a novel (rather than a textbook!) and yet delves into what many believe are the "complexities" of the Israel/Palestine "conflict" (which is not a good word to describe the reality of life on the ground there. Olson spent two years in Palestine as a traveler and a journalist, and met with any number of Palestinians from all walks of life. She lived in the West Bank and, while she notes the "privilege" she enjoyed as an International, she also experienced the checkpoints, killings and frustrations of everyday life there. I spent three months in Palestine at roughly the same time Olson was there (about 10 years ago) and can relate to her experiences - as well as her impressions of the warm hospitality and friendliness of the people and the beauty of the land (at least the parts unmarred by settlements and destruction!). Of course, the situation is much worse there now than it was when Olson and I were there - but I would hope that this book would open the eyes of those who blindly accept Israel's version of the story (aided and abetted by the US!) and fail to recognize the humanity of the Palestinian people.