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لشوك والقرنفل #1
The Thorn and the Carnation
"The Thorn and the Carnation" is not merely a work of fiction but a profound testament to the enduring spirit of Gaza. Authored by Yahya Al-Sinwar amidst the shadows of Israeli prisons, this narrative transcends traditional storytelling to offer a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the daily struggles and ideological battles of its characters. With a narrative as piercing as thorns and as fragrant as carnations, the book captures the intertwined lives of a Palestinian family in the Beach Camp of Gaza, reflecting the personal is political in the harsh realities of occupation. This compelling tale weaves personal destinies with the larger political turmoil, revealing how individual lives are indelibly marked by national struggles. Through its pages, we encounter Mahmoud, the elder son, who becomes a beloved figure of resistance, and Ahmad, the narrator, whose journey leads him from introspection to action. As the narrative unfolds, it challenges us to perceive not just the hardships faced but the resilience and communal bond that propel this family—and by extension, the Palestinian people—towards hope and perseverance. "The Thorn and the Carnation" serves as a clarion call to comprehend the Palestinian reality—a narrative penned by those who refuse to be silenced, speaking directly to the heart of the global community. It is a narrative of resistance, of profound cultural identity, and an unyielding quest for freedom and justice, echoed in the authentic voices of its characters.
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2024
43 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Yahya Al-Sinwar
4 books63 followersArabic profile: يحيى السنوار
Yahya Sinwar (1962–2024), one of the leaders of Hamas, was elected as the head of the movement’s political bureau after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on August 6, 2024. He held this position until his martyrdom. Israel considered Sinwar one of the main planners of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, 2023. Sinwar also led the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip since February 2017.
Sinwar was born on October 29, 1962, in Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. His parents were originally from Ashkelon and were forced to flee during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the occupation of their lands. He earned a bachelor's degree in Arabic language from the Islamic University of Gaza.
He was a member of the Islamic Bloc, the student wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine. In 1989, Sinwar was sentenced to four life terms by Israel for allegedly planning the killing of two Israeli soldiers. He spent 23 years in detention before being released in a prisoner exchange deal in 2011. During his imprisonment, Sinwar learned Hebrew, and after his release, he addressed Israelis in Hebrew and translated works from Hebrew to Arabic.
A month after being appointed as the head of Hamas' political bureau, Sinwar sent a message of gratitude to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for the party's involvement in resisting the Israeli occupation during the Al-Aqsa Flood battle. He emphasized that the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh in the Al-Aqsa Flood battle proves that the blood of leaders is not more precious than that of the Palestinian people.
Sinwar authored four books and translated four others from Hebrew to Arabic, the most notable being the translation of "Shabak Between the Ruins" and "Israeli Parties". His authored works include the novel "Thorns and Carnations", "Glory", and "Hamas: Experiment and Error".
Yahya Sinwar (1962–2024), one of the leaders of Hamas, was elected as the head of the movement’s political bureau after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on August 6, 2024. He held this position until his martyrdom. Israel considered Sinwar one of the main planners of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, 2023. Sinwar also led the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip since February 2017.
Sinwar was born on October 29, 1962, in Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. His parents were originally from Ashkelon and were forced to flee during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the occupation of their lands. He earned a bachelor's degree in Arabic language from the Islamic University of Gaza.
He was a member of the Islamic Bloc, the student wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine. In 1989, Sinwar was sentenced to four life terms by Israel for allegedly planning the killing of two Israeli soldiers. He spent 23 years in detention before being released in a prisoner exchange deal in 2011. During his imprisonment, Sinwar learned Hebrew, and after his release, he addressed Israelis in Hebrew and translated works from Hebrew to Arabic.
A month after being appointed as the head of Hamas' political bureau, Sinwar sent a message of gratitude to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for the party's involvement in resisting the Israeli occupation during the Al-Aqsa Flood battle. He emphasized that the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh in the Al-Aqsa Flood battle proves that the blood of leaders is not more precious than that of the Palestinian people.
Sinwar authored four books and translated four others from Hebrew to Arabic, the most notable being the translation of "Shabak Between the Ruins" and "Israeli Parties". His authored works include the novel "Thorns and Carnations", "Glory", and "Hamas: Experiment and Error".
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November 29, 2024𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 ...𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨_𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 _
PALESTINE WOULD BE FREE FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEE 🤞
#YAHYA Al_Sinwar 🍉
PALESTINE WOULD BE FREE FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEE 🤞
#YAHYA Al_Sinwar 🍉
April 8, 2025
This is the first half. It was smuggled out from prison. There's a dramatic message at the end about staying tuned for the translation of the second half. So wild to think about. I wish i had more info on how. Give it a read for that reason if for no other. But another reason is that if the US calls them a terrorist, there's a good chance there's a compelling story of a revolutionary growing up under occupation, apartheid, or something like that and/or learning to fight that power.
https://annas-archive.org/md5/e9d7f17...
Or
https://t.co/iBiJk1Ewjp
Edit 2025 - Pay No Heed to the Rockets actually details how messages come out of prison, and yeah, it has to do with digestive systems. That particular book is a bit annoying in that I think the author is a Canadian against Palestinians resisting occupation by any means, but there are interesting stories also.
https://annas-archive.org/md5/e9d7f17...
Or
https://t.co/iBiJk1Ewjp
Edit 2025 - Pay No Heed to the Rockets actually details how messages come out of prison, and yeah, it has to do with digestive systems. That particular book is a bit annoying in that I think the author is a Canadian against Palestinians resisting occupation by any means, but there are interesting stories also.
Want to read
October 1, 2025Have not read yet. Just received in the mail parts 1 and 2. Why is this book on my to-read list?
I have a great curiosity about Sinwar. He is vilified by the West as a 'terrorist' and thus someone who needs to be despised and killed. But, from what I have read, he appears to be a different sort of person; a category which is common in every culture and in every culture, appreciated, lauded, valued. He appears to actually be a dedicated, intelligent, sincere, focused, brave, resistance fighter.
Sinwar has reportedly done awesome things (I mean, awesome in terms of inducing awe, not, necessarily positive). Survived 20 years in an Israeli prison. Helped fellow prisoners. Dedicated his time since his release from prison to a plan to free others in prison. This was his goal in the October 7 attack: kill no Israeli civilians, only soldiers. Take hostages who were soldiers and exchange them for Palestinian prisoners. His goal: release compatriots from prison. The Oct 7 attack then went horribly wrong when throngs of ordinary Gazans broke through along with the Hamas militants. Because the fence was breached so easily and torn down, hundreds of untrained Gazans rampaged through the Nova festival. Most of these were killed by Israelis, with their burned bodies counted towards the often-cited 1200 dead Israelis.
He appears to have dedicated his life to a specific political goal that is common to humanity: learning how to lead his people (meaning, the group of people of whom he is a member) to resist oppression, in the form of military occupation.
Yet like any war leader on the opposing side, his legitimate humanity as a resistance fighter is denied. I want to read his prison novel to decide more for myself.
I have a great curiosity about Sinwar. He is vilified by the West as a 'terrorist' and thus someone who needs to be despised and killed. But, from what I have read, he appears to be a different sort of person; a category which is common in every culture and in every culture, appreciated, lauded, valued. He appears to actually be a dedicated, intelligent, sincere, focused, brave, resistance fighter.
Sinwar has reportedly done awesome things (I mean, awesome in terms of inducing awe, not, necessarily positive). Survived 20 years in an Israeli prison. Helped fellow prisoners. Dedicated his time since his release from prison to a plan to free others in prison. This was his goal in the October 7 attack: kill no Israeli civilians, only soldiers. Take hostages who were soldiers and exchange them for Palestinian prisoners. His goal: release compatriots from prison. The Oct 7 attack then went horribly wrong when throngs of ordinary Gazans broke through along with the Hamas militants. Because the fence was breached so easily and torn down, hundreds of untrained Gazans rampaged through the Nova festival. Most of these were killed by Israelis, with their burned bodies counted towards the often-cited 1200 dead Israelis.
He appears to have dedicated his life to a specific political goal that is common to humanity: learning how to lead his people (meaning, the group of people of whom he is a member) to resist oppression, in the form of military occupation.
Yet like any war leader on the opposing side, his legitimate humanity as a resistance fighter is denied. I want to read his prison novel to decide more for myself.
July 22, 2025
"Don't you see this unjust world? Our people have been slaughtered continuously for eight months, and the occupation army pours hellfire upon us, using its advanced arsenal against us—its planes, tanks, and all its weapons—while the world remains deaf and mute. And yet, when any action comes from our side, the oppressed, overwhelmed side, which is merely asking for the minimum standard of a free and dignified life, voices rise even from our nation, and even from some of our own people,
condemning and denouncing. But all this holds no value, as these millions from Rabat to Jakarta were just days ago threatening in the streets,
demanding this. Did the world not hear them when they chanted for revenge, revenge, O Al-Qassam Brigades? What revenge other than this did the masses of our nation want? And if the masses of our nation want this,
and it is our right to defend ourselves, what harm is there in that?”
condemning and denouncing. But all this holds no value, as these millions from Rabat to Jakarta were just days ago threatening in the streets,
demanding this. Did the world not hear them when they chanted for revenge, revenge, O Al-Qassam Brigades? What revenge other than this did the masses of our nation want? And if the masses of our nation want this,
and it is our right to defend ourselves, what harm is there in that?”
February 13, 2025
Please let me find the second part of the book. Unlike the book entitled martyr I just read, the thorn and the carnation shoots within me, the strength to strive to achieve ultimate success in the afterlife, amidst little difficulties (compared to the compatriots in Palestine).
The damned souls are too far from humanity, with their deceit and arrogance.
Yes, I have finished part two of the book. Allah bless all mujahideens, who vow with their souls, with their blood, avenge the martyrs, fighting for sanctity of Masjid Al Aqsa in the land of Palestine, the landmark of israk and mikraj, the point of ascension of Rasulullah SAW to Sidratul Muntaha. Damned the laknatullah.
The damned souls are too far from humanity, with their deceit and arrogance.
Yes, I have finished part two of the book. Allah bless all mujahideens, who vow with their souls, with their blood, avenge the martyrs, fighting for sanctity of Masjid Al Aqsa in the land of Palestine, the landmark of israk and mikraj, the point of ascension of Rasulullah SAW to Sidratul Muntaha. Damned the laknatullah.
November 2, 2024
This isn't a great work of literature. It starts out as a coming of age novel and then segues into a narrative of the Gazan resistance up until around 2001. What makes it important are the insights into Sinwar's view of the Palestinian movement. It also shows how the rivalry between Hamas and Fatah played out during this period, even within families.
It's a book that should be widely read by anyone wanting to understand the resilience of the Palestinians despite decades of oppression up to the current genocide.
It's a book that should be widely read by anyone wanting to understand the resilience of the Palestinians despite decades of oppression up to the current genocide.
Read
December 29, 2025a beautiful portrait of collective life, love and resistance. they can never make me hate you.
November 9, 2024
Bermula assyahid menceritakan tentang kisah pakatan Arab yang Agung itu kalah perang kepada pengganas zionis dalam masa 6 hari. Menyebabkan ibu dan datuknya terpaksa mengambil alih urusan rumah kerana ayahnya hilang tanpa berita dalam perang ini.
Bahagian pertama ini juga menceritakan berkenaan penentangan secara gerila yang dilakukan oleh pemuda kepada zionis yang membuat rondaan. Sehingga zionis mengambil tindakan merobohkan kem-kem yang sesak supaya jip zionis boleh melalui khemah-khemah penduduk untuk mengejar pejuang yang bersembunyi. Assyahid menyebut khemah itu sebagai rumah.
Selain itu, assyahid menjelaskan mengenai penduduk-penduduk yang terpaksa bekerja kepada penjajah zionis ini dengan mengambil upah melakukan kerja tukang. Siapa yang tidak mahu bekerja bawa penjajah terpaksa melakukan perniagaan dan pekerjaan yang hasil tidak menguntungkan.
Kemudian assyahid teruja dengan kemunculan seorang tokoh ulama yang menyeru penduduk kembali kepada agama digelar sebagai Syeikh Ahmad. Entah betul atau tidak ini assyahid syeikh ahmad yasin pengasas kepada gerakan Hamas. Kerana assyahid yahya tidak menjelaskan lebih lanjut.
Menarik dalam bahagian satu ini berkenaan pemikiran perjuangan yang berbeza berlaku dalam masyarakat di Gaza dan Tebing Barat. Assyahid terangkan yang wujud lebih dahulu ialah PLO yang dianggap haluan kiri atau sosialis. Dalam PLO juga ada pejuang kemerdekaan Palestin yang beragama Kristian. Selepas itu munculnya Fatah yang didokong kuat oleh abangnya bernama Mahmood seorang jurutera lepasan dari Mesir yang sangat membenci Ikhwan Muslimin. Di sana sepupunya yang bernama Ibrahim yang tidak mengaku Ikhwan tetapi digelar golongan islamis dan sentiasa berkelahi pendapat dengan Mahmood.
Bahagian pertama ini juga menceritakan berkenaan penentangan secara gerila yang dilakukan oleh pemuda kepada zionis yang membuat rondaan. Sehingga zionis mengambil tindakan merobohkan kem-kem yang sesak supaya jip zionis boleh melalui khemah-khemah penduduk untuk mengejar pejuang yang bersembunyi. Assyahid menyebut khemah itu sebagai rumah.
Selain itu, assyahid menjelaskan mengenai penduduk-penduduk yang terpaksa bekerja kepada penjajah zionis ini dengan mengambil upah melakukan kerja tukang. Siapa yang tidak mahu bekerja bawa penjajah terpaksa melakukan perniagaan dan pekerjaan yang hasil tidak menguntungkan.
Kemudian assyahid teruja dengan kemunculan seorang tokoh ulama yang menyeru penduduk kembali kepada agama digelar sebagai Syeikh Ahmad. Entah betul atau tidak ini assyahid syeikh ahmad yasin pengasas kepada gerakan Hamas. Kerana assyahid yahya tidak menjelaskan lebih lanjut.
Menarik dalam bahagian satu ini berkenaan pemikiran perjuangan yang berbeza berlaku dalam masyarakat di Gaza dan Tebing Barat. Assyahid terangkan yang wujud lebih dahulu ialah PLO yang dianggap haluan kiri atau sosialis. Dalam PLO juga ada pejuang kemerdekaan Palestin yang beragama Kristian. Selepas itu munculnya Fatah yang didokong kuat oleh abangnya bernama Mahmood seorang jurutera lepasan dari Mesir yang sangat membenci Ikhwan Muslimin. Di sana sepupunya yang bernama Ibrahim yang tidak mengaku Ikhwan tetapi digelar golongan islamis dan sentiasa berkelahi pendapat dengan Mahmood.
November 24, 2024
A Five Star ... not for literary quality, not for insight into the more extensive history of colonialism and how it created today's Middle East, and certainly not out of sympathy for any of the leaders in this part of the world who portray themselves in a Promethean light making great sacrifices for their people.
Five Stars is because I bought both Part I and Part II of The Thorn and the Carnation because, apparently, Amazon and Barnes & Noble have been threatened and have chosen not to sell it. So, I had to find an independent book publisher to print the English versions.
The two volumes highlighted to me the last vestiges of global colonialism, which are playing out with unremitting hate, fractured societies, no vision for a future except death to the other, and no viable steps to move forward. I finished the volumes feeling great sorrow for their own version of "The Tragedy of the Commons."
Five Stars is because I bought both Part I and Part II of The Thorn and the Carnation because, apparently, Amazon and Barnes & Noble have been threatened and have chosen not to sell it. So, I had to find an independent book publisher to print the English versions.
The two volumes highlighted to me the last vestiges of global colonialism, which are playing out with unremitting hate, fractured societies, no vision for a future except death to the other, and no viable steps to move forward. I finished the volumes feeling great sorrow for their own version of "The Tragedy of the Commons."
January 1, 2025
The book tells a descriptive story of life under occupation and the opressed struggle against it probably from around late 60s to very early 90s. It describes from a child pov growing the political struggle (the different factions and ideologies on how to fight the colonizers), the impression on the events (the school massacre (which one..), the shatila sabra, the invasion of al aqsa, etc). The next book will probably describe the next part of the history.
YaS memang lulusan arabic language, jadi wajar banget beliau bisa nulis seperti ini. Jadi teringat kata-katanya:
“You walk to the beach at sunset, and you see all these teenagers on the shore chatting and wondering what the world looks like across the sea. What life looks like. It's breaking. And should break everybody. I want them free.”
YaS memang lulusan arabic language, jadi wajar banget beliau bisa nulis seperti ini. Jadi teringat kata-katanya:
“You walk to the beach at sunset, and you see all these teenagers on the shore chatting and wondering what the world looks like across the sea. What life looks like. It's breaking. And should break everybody. I want them free.”
March 9, 2025
An absolute must read for anyone sympathetic to the Palestinian struggle. The legendary circumstances of its creation are evident in the writing itself.
Obviously besides the point, but I felt that as a work of fiction it could have used more self-awareness, if that makes sense. It's clearly meant to be a didactic and pointed work of writing, some of the nuance is doubtlessly lost in translation, and needless to say Sinwar was not best known for his novels. Still, I think all works of both fiction and politics benefit from turning their analytical gaze inwards; at the person, at the author, at the movement.
Obviously besides the point, but I felt that as a work of fiction it could have used more self-awareness, if that makes sense. It's clearly meant to be a didactic and pointed work of writing, some of the nuance is doubtlessly lost in translation, and needless to say Sinwar was not best known for his novels. Still, I think all works of both fiction and politics benefit from turning their analytical gaze inwards; at the person, at the author, at the movement.
July 31, 2025
An incredible novel by one of recent history's most important revolutionary figures. A must read!
November 24, 2024
This book is an excellent window into the lives and the daily struggles of the Palestinian people under occupation. It is heartbreaking to realize that over the years so little has changed for them, and if anything things keep going from bad to worse. It is important for people who do not understand the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to read this book before they develop any opinion regarding any events that have unfolded and continue to unfold concerning this conflict.
October 21, 2024
rest in power yahya sinwar
October 23, 2024
a poet and a resistance fighter until the very end 🕊️🍉
November 2, 2024
by god if i found nothing but dust i would fight them with it
July 29, 2025
the first book is honestly much better than the second book, which contains a lot of bloodshed.
December 23, 2024
Awesome book with a different story line.
February 24, 2025
This book will make you understand more clearly that why people of Palestine resist against Israel's oppression and occupation.
July 14, 2025
Written by a hero...
Free Palestine🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸
Free Palestine🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews