Jaffa Beach: Historical Fiction

by Fedora Horowitz

Fedora Horowitz, born in Romania, is a professional musician who continued her musical career in Israel and in United States. Living amongst Arabs and Jews in Israel inspired her to write Jaffa Beach. This is a love story set in the volatile context of the founding of the State of Israel, and the concomitant rise of Palestinian longing for a homeland. In this novel of epic proportions, spanning many decades and three generations, the author finds the common humanity of both Arabs and Jews. The reader will find himself steeped in the stringent rigidity of Hassidic fanaticism while in the Arab world he will be introduced to a life style, adherent to the strictures of Islamic theocracy. Jaffa Beach is a story of clashing cultures, deeply held secrets, and one young woman’s (Shifra) journey from her happiness with Musa to the abyss of despair when all she holds dear in both worlds start to slip away. She must make a life altering decision. Through the eyes of a Jewish girl, the reader is taken into a world seldom seen by both sides of the Jewish/Arab conflict.

Genres: Historical Fiction

454 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2013

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick and interesting read. There was a lot of history of both Jewish and Arab life prior and during the creation of the state of Israel. The plot was fairly predictable and there were no surprises as the story continued. I was disappointed in the latter part of this book when the time and setting abruptly changed. There was poor resolution and closure with Shifra/ Suha, the main character. Otherwise the character development was good and I was able to identify with their plights . However , the book contained many editing insufficiencies which were distracting along with too many non English words that disturbed the pace of the story.

[Marissa McQueeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was interesting but the writing and editing were weak throughout. I read it in one sitting, during an airport delay, and I cried enough at the end to know it was an okay novel. A great work of literature it is not. The author uses dialogue as if it were narration, driving me up an absolute wall. The interactions between the characters never seemed realistic, and the huge jump in time was awkwardly handled.

I couldn’t figure out why Mazal, in her self professed quest to learn about Shifra’s origins, stopped with Chana. One would think her curious nature would lead her to seek out Shifra’s actual family, no? I don’t need a neat and clean ending, but I found a lot of inconsistencies in the behavior of several characters.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is barely a 2.5 star book, however since there are no half stars I'm giving it a 3. This book caught my eye while browsing at my local library. I like the subject of Israel before it became a state in 1948 and especially the daily life of the local Arab and Jewish population.

The plot is a typical Romeo and Juliet story where Musa, an Arab boy saves Shifra, a religious Jewish girl from drowning, brings her home and his family grudgingly takes her in. They fall in love, marry against Musa's mother's wishes and have a child, Selim or Shlomi in Hebrew. The tensions of the end of the British mandate in Palestine and the upcoming war spill over into Musa and Shifra or Suha's life.

This could have been a wonderful book. However the writing is sophomoric and the book is much too long. It's in need of some serious editing.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

My true test of a great book is one you can’t put down. In fact, I live for those types of books. THIS is one of those books.
An orthodox girl searching for peace, and serenity, travels to a place she has only heard about, but knows she will find what she is looking for once she arrives.
She gets caught up ( literally), and her life as she once knew it, is changed irrevocably from that moment on.
Spanning three continents, and a time span of over forty years, this is the story about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, and the people and families whose lives were shaped by their beliefs, culture, and prejudices.
In a world of turmoil, unrest, and political upheaval, this book shows you that sometimes, “ you can go home again.”

[Beverly Buchalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Manuscript for Peace

I couldn't stop reading this fantasy of historical fiction which we all wish were possible in Israel and the Middle East in general.. By focusing on one family's customs and the kind heartwarming care of others who had all lost so much in the War time frame, one can see that there is tikum Olin... a need to repair the world in the hearts of many nations.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an amazing work of literature, but I found it to be a good story. There were quite a few editing errors that made me wonder who actually edited it... But they didn't distract me too much from the actual story. It kept me entertained and wanting to know more.

[Deborah Letow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a Jewish Girl falls in love and marries a Muslim man? It is the end of WWII and the begging of the State of Israel and difference do matter A mother and son leave a father and secrets are revealed twenty years later.

[Leslie Eudowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished and am still crying. Giving all that is going on in the world today, this really touched my heart.

[Susan R Rodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Israeli Arab conflict

Interesting to read about the formation of the Jewish State of Israel from the Arab point of view. Arab Jewish interaction.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it – it’s an easy read and unputdownable! A light, enjoyable and interesting novel. I recommend it.

[Jpk139 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 ⭐️’s

[Louise Herr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Writing very average but enjoyable. Not a mind blowing read

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent story

I loved this book. It was well written and told a touching story.
I highly recommend reading this amazing story!

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Pam Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave up. It just went on and on.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Romeo and Juliet type story. Lots of cliches and just didn't love the writing.

[Naomi Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a Romeo and Juliet type-love story set again the backdrop of the founding of the State of Israel from both Palestinian and Jewish perspectives. It is a little sappy, but a good story and I cried at the end. In many ways, it reminded me of Exodus. It was not terribly well written and the copy editing was so sloppy it almost made me crazy, but I got pulled in and enjoyed the read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the superficial treatment of the Arab perspective of the establishment of the State of Israel. I would have liked to learn about real attitudes and perspectives instead of the rhetoric of misunderstanding between two cultures. I also found some of the story to be rather contrived.

[Carol Strauss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jaffa Beach

This book was listed as historical fiction. The history was interesting, but I did not care much for the writing style of the author--a lot of trite, overused words and phrases. The plot was, at times absorbing, but at other times, contrived and predictable. Not one of my favorites!

[Caryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book where every character is predictable and the ending is obvious from the beginning. It really is a book with no depth. Pity.

[Sharon Steiner jochnau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story and the history. The writing was awkward and the text so poorly edited, with many mistakes that should have been caught prior to publishing.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, couldn't put it down. Lovely story.

[Janine Rubens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fabulous read. Hadassah book club Skyped with author .

[Evelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. not sure I loved the ending.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable story-great history- palestinian and a jewish girl and all the problems that go with that combo. Great characters!

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet, non partisan, cross culture, epic love story. The writing is a bit choppy at times, but it's worth the read

[Roz Farbowiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book in one day.