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Hope Street, Jerusalem
A love story that shines a hopeful light on a city where the choice of a romantic table by the window can turn into a life or death decision, from the award-winning aurthor of OUR WOMAN IN KABUL.
'I had no idea how demanding this consuming, cruel, dangerous and fascinating place would be. I would fall in love here, I would do some of my best reporting, I would be injured, ending my run of good luck - my life would change dramatically ...' Moving to a strange city always takes courage, but never more so than in a place where the daily expression of love and hate can turn a simple choice of a romantic table by the window into a life or death decision. Both a love story and bittersweet tribute to her beloved adopted city of Jerusalem, Irris Makler shines a hopeful light on a part of the world where the news reports often makes it seem impossibly dark. From juggling the danger and unpredictability of her work as a roving foreign correspondent , covering everything from Palestinian suicide attacks to Israeli incursions into the West Bank, to falling in love with a handsome and charming young Israeli, and gaining a mischievious four-legged companion along the way, she allows us an intimate glimpse into a passionate, vibrant and fascinating world. Adventurous, compassionate and engagingly honest, the award-winning author of OUR WOMAN IN KABUL is a master at capturing the personal stories behind the news we really want to know - and her story is the most interesting of all.
'I had no idea how demanding this consuming, cruel, dangerous and fascinating place would be. I would fall in love here, I would do some of my best reporting, I would be injured, ending my run of good luck - my life would change dramatically ...' Moving to a strange city always takes courage, but never more so than in a place where the daily expression of love and hate can turn a simple choice of a romantic table by the window into a life or death decision. Both a love story and bittersweet tribute to her beloved adopted city of Jerusalem, Irris Makler shines a hopeful light on a part of the world where the news reports often makes it seem impossibly dark. From juggling the danger and unpredictability of her work as a roving foreign correspondent , covering everything from Palestinian suicide attacks to Israeli incursions into the West Bank, to falling in love with a handsome and charming young Israeli, and gaining a mischievious four-legged companion along the way, she allows us an intimate glimpse into a passionate, vibrant and fascinating world. Adventurous, compassionate and engagingly honest, the award-winning author of OUR WOMAN IN KABUL is a master at capturing the personal stories behind the news we really want to know - and her story is the most interesting of all.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 16, 2013
This is one-dimensional (romantic) memoir-journalism, making clichéd and populist judgements and analyses on Israel and Palestinian issues, if indeed analyses you can call it. Moreover, once the author gets her new dog, unfortunately fairly early on in the book (and after a good opening chapter or two), the book may as well be called, 'Me and My Adventures with a Dog Named Mia'.
February 21, 2014
A wonderful memoir. Made me cry in public. Twice. And I rarely cry over a book. Review to come.
December 15, 2012
Loved it, interesting, funny, endearing. Made me want to go live in Israel.
March 6, 2014
Did I enjoy this book: I loved it!
Hope Street, Jerusalem is a fascinating blend of Middle Eastern history, politics, and love. Irris Makler is living in Jerusalem as a foreign correspondent covering suicide bombings, riots, snipers, and military infiltrations.
In the chaotic mix of violence and extremism, she finds love, loses love, finds it again, repeat. And while all this is going on she’s traveling to some of the most dangerous regions on the globe reporting on horrific brutality, meeting strict deadlines, and learning to live in a foreign culture.
You’d think that’d be enough for one woman. But a huge chunk of the humor and drama in the story focuses on the tumultuous relationship with her best friend, Mia; a golden retriever mix. She’s rescued from a close call with a speeding car in a busy Jerusalem street and adopted by Makler and her boyfriend. The story gets way more interesting with Mia in the mix. It’s kind of like Marley & Me set in the chronically war torn Middle East.
Hope Street, Jerusalem is entertaining, beautifully written, educational, and inspirational.
Would I recommend it: I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs, history, politics, love, travel, adventure – OK; I’ll just recommend it to everyone. It’s great.
Will I read it again: No way . . . too long.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/03/bl...
Hope Street, Jerusalem is a fascinating blend of Middle Eastern history, politics, and love. Irris Makler is living in Jerusalem as a foreign correspondent covering suicide bombings, riots, snipers, and military infiltrations.
In the chaotic mix of violence and extremism, she finds love, loses love, finds it again, repeat. And while all this is going on she’s traveling to some of the most dangerous regions on the globe reporting on horrific brutality, meeting strict deadlines, and learning to live in a foreign culture.
You’d think that’d be enough for one woman. But a huge chunk of the humor and drama in the story focuses on the tumultuous relationship with her best friend, Mia; a golden retriever mix. She’s rescued from a close call with a speeding car in a busy Jerusalem street and adopted by Makler and her boyfriend. The story gets way more interesting with Mia in the mix. It’s kind of like Marley & Me set in the chronically war torn Middle East.
Hope Street, Jerusalem is entertaining, beautifully written, educational, and inspirational.
Would I recommend it: I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs, history, politics, love, travel, adventure – OK; I’ll just recommend it to everyone. It’s great.
Will I read it again: No way . . . too long.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/03/bl...
January 25, 2013
Jerusalem is the sacred homelands for three of the world's main religions.
I found the accounts of modern day Jerusalem captivating.
I loved the context of the city seen through the eyes of a journalist.
This was real life - the trials of a rogue dog, a sometimes boyfriend and the neighbourhood inter mixed with the very real perils of life in a perpetual war zone.
I found the accounts of modern day Jerusalem captivating.
I loved the context of the city seen through the eyes of a journalist.
This was real life - the trials of a rogue dog, a sometimes boyfriend and the neighbourhood inter mixed with the very real perils of life in a perpetual war zone.
April 24, 2019
(3.5 rating)
I'm not sure I've read a more vivid portrayal of the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of Israel, particularly of Jerusalem, than recorded by foreign correspondent, Irris Makler. Moving through both the Jewish and Arab quarters, mingling with the people who belonged to each sector, Makler portrays the complexity of this ancient place and its surroundings with more of an interest in its humanity than in its politics. I was impressed by her willingness and ability to see the person behind the "label", participating in the life both inside and outside of the gates to the Old City.
Her writing was fluid and engaging when the narrative recreated the scenes of tension and terror encountered during her (then) nine years' posting in the Middle East. Her own injury in the midst of a riot within the Old City opens the memoir and conveys the ever present danger that she faced when after having "returned safely from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza...[her] luck had finally run out." On the scene of every newsworthy event during this period, Makler lives constantly on the edge, pressured to prepare and post her observations as a reporter to the free world. The recounting of these incidents provided the essential magnetism of the text.
However, Makler devoted seemingly half of her memoir to focus on her dog, Mia - its entry into her and her partner's lives, its unwillingness to be obedient, its endless running away, the attempt to train her, and Makler's wavering willingness to have her life dominated by this rebellious, yet adorable pet. Tied to these stories about Mia was Makler's relationship with her partner, Raphael, and the challenges they face because of their different lifestyles. Interesting, perhaps; however, the dog stories eventually overrode the intriguing aspects of her professional life. A more stringent editor would have guided the author back to the essence of the memoir and the focal interest of her readers. For me, the continuing saga of Mia became tedious to read.
I'm not sure I've read a more vivid portrayal of the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of Israel, particularly of Jerusalem, than recorded by foreign correspondent, Irris Makler. Moving through both the Jewish and Arab quarters, mingling with the people who belonged to each sector, Makler portrays the complexity of this ancient place and its surroundings with more of an interest in its humanity than in its politics. I was impressed by her willingness and ability to see the person behind the "label", participating in the life both inside and outside of the gates to the Old City.
Her writing was fluid and engaging when the narrative recreated the scenes of tension and terror encountered during her (then) nine years' posting in the Middle East. Her own injury in the midst of a riot within the Old City opens the memoir and conveys the ever present danger that she faced when after having "returned safely from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza...[her] luck had finally run out." On the scene of every newsworthy event during this period, Makler lives constantly on the edge, pressured to prepare and post her observations as a reporter to the free world. The recounting of these incidents provided the essential magnetism of the text.
However, Makler devoted seemingly half of her memoir to focus on her dog, Mia - its entry into her and her partner's lives, its unwillingness to be obedient, its endless running away, the attempt to train her, and Makler's wavering willingness to have her life dominated by this rebellious, yet adorable pet. Tied to these stories about Mia was Makler's relationship with her partner, Raphael, and the challenges they face because of their different lifestyles. Interesting, perhaps; however, the dog stories eventually overrode the intriguing aspects of her professional life. A more stringent editor would have guided the author back to the essence of the memoir and the focal interest of her readers. For me, the continuing saga of Mia became tedious to read.
November 21, 2020
I really loved so much of this book. Irris is a brilliant storyteller and a brave, clever woman. What really rankled was the horrid, cliched textbook love story stuff. It just felt forced and disingenuous- like the publishers would have rejected a book about a woman living and reporting on Jerusalem so we better toss a man in there. I was relieved when they finally broke up only for him to come back (yawn) and save the day. I’d much rather read a foreign correspondent’s memoir without the schmaltz.
May 3, 2024
I really had no idea of life as a foreign correspondent in a war setting. Found it enlightening, strange, scary …. . Found comparisons between now & then. A learning experience re how much of this experience & history is all concentrated in such a small area. Irris’s relationship with Raphael (and Mia the dog) is also another important part of the story, for me, due to the whole strangeness of life in this whole scenario.
I score this 4.5 stars. 🌟
I score this 4.5 stars. 🌟
July 21, 2024
Points for candidness and engaging writing style, hardly surprising given the author's day job. However, about half the content, i.e. concerning Mia and Raphael was at best mundane, and at worst perplexing. It takes all kinds I guess. The balance tended somewhat to navel gazing but the account's redemption lay in its setting and evocative detail and sense of place and people.
Add memoir to journalism credentials: tick.
Add memoir to journalism credentials: tick.
January 9, 2021
Jumps all over the place. Couldn't read more than a couple of pages.
March 8, 2022
A fascinating biography of an incredibly brave journalist, her adventures, her love and her dog.
Couldn't put it down.
Couldn't put it down.
January 20, 2023
I read started this book because she is a journalist in Jerusalem but the book was 90% about her dog.
February 11, 2014
I've always been fascinated with Jerusalem--I'd love to visit someday, although I do not foresee myself getting there in the near future. When this book, written by journalist about her life in Jerusalem, came by me, I knew I had to read it.
I don't think that anyone who is not from the area can truly understand the situation in that part of the world. Makler, however, does a good job of illustrating her experience as an Australian ex-pat journalist living there. She talks about the conflicts that she witnesses and reports on in a way that does not read like a newspaper article or a reporter reading off a teleprompter. She does not bring any bias into her narrative--although she is of Jewish decent, she treats both sides with respect and without favoritism.
But, this book is really about something else. It's about a woman and her dog. She and her boyfriend (well, more her boyfriend at the beginning) take on a stray puppy. Makler's relationship with Mia (the dog) has a rocky start but, by the end of the book, they are soul mates. I'll be honest, I can't resist a good animal story and this one does not disappoint.
There is also the story of Makler and her Israeli boyfriend, Raphael. Raphael is an musician and film mmaker who is quite a bit younger than Makler. Their relationship is rocky and full of struggles and passions. But, I just wasn't as invested in that part of Makler's narrative. For me, Raphael was the channel that brought Mia into Makler's life.
This wasn't a perfect memoir. One thing that irked me is that the timing was a bit off. As I was reading, I was under the impression that a few years had passed, and then Makler would make a comment that only a few months had passed. I'm not exactly sure how Makler could have fixed this, but I do wish that I felt this book was more anchored in time.
All in all, however, I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to someone who has an interest in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Or in dogs. Or both.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
I don't think that anyone who is not from the area can truly understand the situation in that part of the world. Makler, however, does a good job of illustrating her experience as an Australian ex-pat journalist living there. She talks about the conflicts that she witnesses and reports on in a way that does not read like a newspaper article or a reporter reading off a teleprompter. She does not bring any bias into her narrative--although she is of Jewish decent, she treats both sides with respect and without favoritism.
But, this book is really about something else. It's about a woman and her dog. She and her boyfriend (well, more her boyfriend at the beginning) take on a stray puppy. Makler's relationship with Mia (the dog) has a rocky start but, by the end of the book, they are soul mates. I'll be honest, I can't resist a good animal story and this one does not disappoint.
There is also the story of Makler and her Israeli boyfriend, Raphael. Raphael is an musician and film mmaker who is quite a bit younger than Makler. Their relationship is rocky and full of struggles and passions. But, I just wasn't as invested in that part of Makler's narrative. For me, Raphael was the channel that brought Mia into Makler's life.
This wasn't a perfect memoir. One thing that irked me is that the timing was a bit off. As I was reading, I was under the impression that a few years had passed, and then Makler would make a comment that only a few months had passed. I'm not exactly sure how Makler could have fixed this, but I do wish that I felt this book was more anchored in time.
All in all, however, I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to someone who has an interest in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Or in dogs. Or both.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
March 2, 2014
While the people are running away in terror with fear for their lives, Irris runs towards the scenes of suicide bombings and other tragedies. She's an international correspondent and that's what she does.
Irris' life is unusual, gritty in its details, often dangerous and sometimes lonely. As a journalist she has travelled to foreign countries, often staying for months to years at a time. Leaving Russia for the turmoil of Jerusalem was an emotional departure but she soon fell in love with the city, a man and a lively dog Mia. "Romance is so lovely when it comes along and mugs you." (p. 41)
Interspersed with tidbits of history and geography, Irris shares her obvious love for Jerusalem despite its inherent dangers. We see the carnage and the beauty of this city as she interviews and observes and reports.....
To read the full review see: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.c...
Irris' life is unusual, gritty in its details, often dangerous and sometimes lonely. As a journalist she has travelled to foreign countries, often staying for months to years at a time. Leaving Russia for the turmoil of Jerusalem was an emotional departure but she soon fell in love with the city, a man and a lively dog Mia. "Romance is so lovely when it comes along and mugs you." (p. 41)
Interspersed with tidbits of history and geography, Irris shares her obvious love for Jerusalem despite its inherent dangers. We see the carnage and the beauty of this city as she interviews and observes and reports.....
To read the full review see: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.c...
February 21, 2014
I was drawn to this memoir since it was set in a part of the world that I find intriguing. It was an interesting read as the author shares stories of her life in Israel, but a lot of the book was about getting a dog, the challenges of raising a puppy with a strong personality and the bond that forms between the dog and owner. But all I could think as I read about the dog's behavior was, 'I could never own a dog'. I think dog-lovers would enjoy this more than I did since it was such a central theme to the book.
August 15, 2013
I gave this book four stairs because I liked the style of writing - mixing her personal romance with the horror of living and working in the Middle East. Also because I am a dog lover and the book is a lot about dogs and their owners, so if you're not interested in dogs maybe I would rate it three stars.
January 16, 2014
I totally agree with another comment I read. The book starts great and is really interesting but then as soon as the women gets a dog the story goes downhill. its a shame because this had the potential to be fantastic.
October 8, 2012
I loved this memoir very much. Part war-coverage, part love story, part canine adventures. I was ready to pack up and move to Jerusalem after reading this!
April 18, 2013
Nice easy reading book, but made me interested in visiting Jerusalem
March 6, 2014
Hope Street was an easy read where I had expected more controversy due to its location. However, it helped a rainy day pass.
May 2, 2014
like reading someone's journal... uncomfortable and wants editing.
May 11, 2014
Decent read, loved the details about the cities and politics; as well as relationships. Before reading it I had no idea this book was about a dog.
August 4, 2014
This was a journey in about being a journalist in a foreign country, love, a dog as well as learning about the everyday life of people in this war torn area of the world. Enjoyed it!:)
November 26, 2014
It seemed as if it was going to be an interesting story, but I just could not get through the blood and guts.
February 17, 2016
This is actually a book about a dog and thus is far more personal than expected.
July 2, 2016
Having been to Israel, I enjoyed recognising the scenes in the story.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews