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The Wild Date Palm
From a bestselling Australian author comes a gripping novel of espionage, passion and sacrifice set in the Middle East during World War I. Based on an astonishing true story, it asks what are you willing to die for? For readers of Geraldine Brooks, Heather Morris and Alli Parker.
During a train journey across Turkey's Anatolian Plain in 1915 during World War I, Shoshana Adelstein witnesses the slaughter of the Armenians and knows she has just come face to face with her destiny.
Convinced that her Jewish community in a small outpost of the Ottoman Empire will soon meet a similar fate, she is desperate to save her people. With Turkey and Britain locked in a global conflict, she orchestrates an audacious plan. Enlisting a group of co-conspirators who include her charismatic lover Eli and her impetuous brother Nathan, this young woman forms a clandestine spy ring. Conquering almost insurmountable obstacles, they risk betrayal, torture and death to spy on the Turks and pass on intelligence to the British to help them win the war.
This epic novel explores the fate of ordinary people whose mission collides with the secret agenda of powerful countries, people ready to risk everything to rescue their communities. But can individuals affect the fate of nations? And when life is at stake, how far will we go to reach the limits of our dreams?
During a train journey across Turkey's Anatolian Plain in 1915 during World War I, Shoshana Adelstein witnesses the slaughter of the Armenians and knows she has just come face to face with her destiny.
Convinced that her Jewish community in a small outpost of the Ottoman Empire will soon meet a similar fate, she is desperate to save her people. With Turkey and Britain locked in a global conflict, she orchestrates an audacious plan. Enlisting a group of co-conspirators who include her charismatic lover Eli and her impetuous brother Nathan, this young woman forms a clandestine spy ring. Conquering almost insurmountable obstacles, they risk betrayal, torture and death to spy on the Turks and pass on intelligence to the British to help them win the war.
This epic novel explores the fate of ordinary people whose mission collides with the secret agenda of powerful countries, people ready to risk everything to rescue their communities. But can individuals affect the fate of nations? And when life is at stake, how far will we go to reach the limits of our dreams?
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Published April 3, 2024
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About the author
Diane Armstrong
18 books206 followersDiane was born in Poland and arrived in Australia in 1948.
At the age of seven she decided to become a writer. Her first article, about teaching at a Blackboard Jungle school in London, was published in The Australian Women's Weekly in 1965. Diane subsequently became a freelance journalist, and over three thousand of her investigative articles, personal experience stories, profiles and travel stories have been published in newspapers and magazines such as Readers Digest, Vogue, The Bulletin, Harper's Bazaar, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, and The Age. Her articles have also appeared in major publications in the UK, Canada, Poland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Holland and South Africa.
Over the years she has received numerous awards for journalism, including the Pluma de Plata awarded by the Government of Mexico for the best article written about that country, and the Gold Award given by the Pacific Asia Tourist Association. In 1993 she received an award for an investigative article about Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. In 1998, she received the George Munster Award for Independent Journalism.
At the age of seven she decided to become a writer. Her first article, about teaching at a Blackboard Jungle school in London, was published in The Australian Women's Weekly in 1965. Diane subsequently became a freelance journalist, and over three thousand of her investigative articles, personal experience stories, profiles and travel stories have been published in newspapers and magazines such as Readers Digest, Vogue, The Bulletin, Harper's Bazaar, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, and The Age. Her articles have also appeared in major publications in the UK, Canada, Poland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Holland and South Africa.
Over the years she has received numerous awards for journalism, including the Pluma de Plata awarded by the Government of Mexico for the best article written about that country, and the Gold Award given by the Pacific Asia Tourist Association. In 1993 she received an award for an investigative article about Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. In 1998, she received the George Munster Award for Independent Journalism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 15, 2025
When Shoshana Adelstein's dreams of marrying Eli disappeared, she married a man her parents wanted for her, moving away from her home. But she was desperately unhappy, trapped and eventually made the decision to return home. The train journey in 1915, during WWI, back to her home in Zichron Yaakov was a harsh eye opener. The brutal slaying of the Armenians made Shoshi realise that the Jews were probably next. But Shoshi's father was unhappy with her; she brought shame to the family with her actions. Her little sister Leah left their home to live with Aunt Hannah, their father's sister, and brother Nathan was always travelling with his job.
Shoshi's determination to help Britain win the war against the Turks, therefore saving her country and its people from annihilation was a wild one, but when she and Nathan formed a secret spy network, spying on the Turks, getting important messages through to the British, they all knew what would happen if they were caught. With Nathan running things in Cairo and Shoshi and her small band of resisters getting vital information, ready to send through to Nathan, Shoshi feared for their safety. But she also knew the future of the Jewish people was more important than Shoshi and her spy network...
The Wild Date Palm is an exceptional historical novel by Aussie author Diane Armstrong and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Based on fact, the author's notes at the end of the novel are interesting and intriguing! Shoshi was committed to her plan, determined it was going to work. Her strength of character shone through; she was admired by many, and equally disliked by others. Lawrence of Arabia features in this book, though he's not particularly likeable! The cover of The Wild Date Palm caught my eye initially, and I love how the meaning of a book's title comes through in the story, as this one did! An extraordinary read, The Wild Date Palm is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Shoshi's determination to help Britain win the war against the Turks, therefore saving her country and its people from annihilation was a wild one, but when she and Nathan formed a secret spy network, spying on the Turks, getting important messages through to the British, they all knew what would happen if they were caught. With Nathan running things in Cairo and Shoshi and her small band of resisters getting vital information, ready to send through to Nathan, Shoshi feared for their safety. But she also knew the future of the Jewish people was more important than Shoshi and her spy network...
The Wild Date Palm is an exceptional historical novel by Aussie author Diane Armstrong and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Based on fact, the author's notes at the end of the novel are interesting and intriguing! Shoshi was committed to her plan, determined it was going to work. Her strength of character shone through; she was admired by many, and equally disliked by others. Lawrence of Arabia features in this book, though he's not particularly likeable! The cover of The Wild Date Palm caught my eye initially, and I love how the meaning of a book's title comes through in the story, as this one did! An extraordinary read, The Wild Date Palm is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2024
Shoshana Adelstein’s Jewish parents emigrated from Romania to Palestine over thirty years ago, they built a house and orchard near the town of Zichron Yaakov. Her older brother Nathan is a scientific expert on plants and she has a younger sister Leah. In 1915, she’s worried about her family, Shoshana catches a train home and during the journey across the Anatolian plain, she witnesses the slaughter of innocent Armenian people by Turkish soldiers and she’s positive this will happen to the Palestinian Jews.
Britain and Turkey are caught up fighting in The Great War, it’s being fought in Europe and in the Ottoman Empire. After the disastrous Dardanelles offensive, on the rocky shores of Gallipoli and the British need another way into Constantinople. Shoshana, her brother Nathan and the love of her life Eli Ginsberg form a spy nest, they want to help the British win and defeat Turkey and the Germans. The member’s travel around gathering information about the conditions of the Turkish troops, their weapons, military locations, and much more. The group is made up of friends, farmers, businessmen, train porters and guardsmen, doctors and brave women like Shoshana.
The risk is great and so is the challenge they face trying to deliver and share the facts they’ve collected to the British intelligence, it becomes extremely dangerous because they could be betrayed by someone in Zichron Yaakov, if caught and they will be shown no mercy.
Based around the true story of siblings Sarah, Aaron and Rivka Aaronsohns, ordinary people who wanted to turn the tide of a world war and they lived in Palestine. This book looks at The Great War from a different angle and perspective, using a balance of real and fictional characters.
I received a copy of The Wild Date Palm by Diane Armstrong from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A well written, articulate and fascinating narrative that had me hooked from the first page, it’s a tale about persecution and being Jewish, war, sacrifice, espionage, love, and it also mentions Laurence of Arabia and Bedouin culture and conditions in the desert.
The reader is taken on a historical fiction journey, one to defeat the great Ottoman Empire by the British and their allies and they needed inside help and water. Shoshana's character was selfless and brave, a woman who put her own life on the line for her beliefs and country. The title of the book is perfect and you discover why, and five big stars from me and I highly recommend The Wild Date Palm and the authors previous book Dancing with the Enemy.
Britain and Turkey are caught up fighting in The Great War, it’s being fought in Europe and in the Ottoman Empire. After the disastrous Dardanelles offensive, on the rocky shores of Gallipoli and the British need another way into Constantinople. Shoshana, her brother Nathan and the love of her life Eli Ginsberg form a spy nest, they want to help the British win and defeat Turkey and the Germans. The member’s travel around gathering information about the conditions of the Turkish troops, their weapons, military locations, and much more. The group is made up of friends, farmers, businessmen, train porters and guardsmen, doctors and brave women like Shoshana.
The risk is great and so is the challenge they face trying to deliver and share the facts they’ve collected to the British intelligence, it becomes extremely dangerous because they could be betrayed by someone in Zichron Yaakov, if caught and they will be shown no mercy.
Based around the true story of siblings Sarah, Aaron and Rivka Aaronsohns, ordinary people who wanted to turn the tide of a world war and they lived in Palestine. This book looks at The Great War from a different angle and perspective, using a balance of real and fictional characters.
I received a copy of The Wild Date Palm by Diane Armstrong from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A well written, articulate and fascinating narrative that had me hooked from the first page, it’s a tale about persecution and being Jewish, war, sacrifice, espionage, love, and it also mentions Laurence of Arabia and Bedouin culture and conditions in the desert.
The reader is taken on a historical fiction journey, one to defeat the great Ottoman Empire by the British and their allies and they needed inside help and water. Shoshana's character was selfless and brave, a woman who put her own life on the line for her beliefs and country. The title of the book is perfect and you discover why, and five big stars from me and I highly recommend The Wild Date Palm and the authors previous book Dancing with the Enemy.
May 2, 2024
This is a story of courage, strength and determination, based on a true story we are transported back to Palestine and the Middle East during World War One were we meet the Jewish Adelstein family siblings, Nathan, Shoshana and Leah.
War has arrived to the area and Shoshana after losing the man she loves with all her heart to her sister, agrees to marry a man and move to Constantinople but she never forgets Eli and soon is making her way back home to Zichron Yaakov after seeing the devastation that is being caused on her trip home she is determined to ensure that the Ottoman Empire does not win and arrives home to start a Jewish spy ring to help the British, will they succeed?
Shoshi arrives home to find her sister has moved away and Eli is still there, their souls are joined in some way and together they work hard to ensure that the information they collect about the Turkish army finds its way to the British, not an easy task and the danger is high at all times, Nathan is travelling around finding ways to help get the information through, especially when the British are so skeptical about the offer of help.
The spy ring started by Shoshi, Nathan and Eli Ginsberg keeps working through all that comes their way, with Nathan traveling they must find a way to get through and risks must be taken, there are people that are not happy with them but Shoshi will never give up.
This is a story that is told with heart, the courage that is shown had me turning the pages and cheering this group and Shoshi on the heartache that they went through to ensure that everyone was safe against the obstacles that are thrown their way, but love and sheer determination kept them going.
This is a story that I highly recommend to any historical fiction reader, it is so interesting learning about what happened back then and with true characters throughout the story, I also loved the connection between Shoshi, Eli and the title of the book, this one is a must read.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read.
War has arrived to the area and Shoshana after losing the man she loves with all her heart to her sister, agrees to marry a man and move to Constantinople but she never forgets Eli and soon is making her way back home to Zichron Yaakov after seeing the devastation that is being caused on her trip home she is determined to ensure that the Ottoman Empire does not win and arrives home to start a Jewish spy ring to help the British, will they succeed?
Shoshi arrives home to find her sister has moved away and Eli is still there, their souls are joined in some way and together they work hard to ensure that the information they collect about the Turkish army finds its way to the British, not an easy task and the danger is high at all times, Nathan is travelling around finding ways to help get the information through, especially when the British are so skeptical about the offer of help.
The spy ring started by Shoshi, Nathan and Eli Ginsberg keeps working through all that comes their way, with Nathan traveling they must find a way to get through and risks must be taken, there are people that are not happy with them but Shoshi will never give up.
This is a story that is told with heart, the courage that is shown had me turning the pages and cheering this group and Shoshi on the heartache that they went through to ensure that everyone was safe against the obstacles that are thrown their way, but love and sheer determination kept them going.
This is a story that I highly recommend to any historical fiction reader, it is so interesting learning about what happened back then and with true characters throughout the story, I also loved the connection between Shoshi, Eli and the title of the book, this one is a must read.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read.
August 6, 2025
The Wild Date Palm by Diane Armstrong AA
Synopsis /
During a train journey across Turkey's Anatolian Plain in 1915 during World War I, Shoshana Adelstein witnesses the slaughter of the Armenians and knows she has just come face to face with her destiny.
Convinced that her Jewish community in a small outpost of the Ottoman Empire will soon meet a similar fate, she is desperate to save her people. With Turkey and Britain locked in a global conflict, she orchestrates an audacious plan. Enlisting a group of co-conspirators who include her charismatic lover Eli and her impetuous brother Nathan, this young woman forms a clandestine spy ring. Conquering almost insurmountable obstacles, they risk betrayal, torture and death to spy on the Turks and pass on intelligence to the British to help them win the war.
This epic novel explores the fate of ordinary people whose mission collides with the secret agenda of powerful countries, people ready to risk everything to rescue their communities. But can individuals affect the fate of nations? And when life is at stake, how far will we go to reach the limits of our dreams?
My Thoughts /
The Wild Date Palm is my first read by Australian author, Diane Armstrong.
#StartRant#
And today, as I'm nearing the book's final chapter, I came across a podcast recorded by Cheryl Akle from 'Better Reading' titled 'Diane Armstrong on What Makes Historical Fiction Personal'. So here is my PSA : Listen to the podcast before reading the novel – it's only short - 30 minutes, but believe me it will make all the difference to your reading experience.
#EndRant#
Armstrong explains the idea for this novel came about when on a tour of Israel – driving around, the tour guide pointed out the town of Zichron Yaakov and proceeded to let everyone know that's where the Aaronsohn family lived. The Aaronsohn family or, more specifically, twenty-seven year old Sarah Aaronsohn, together with her siblings and close friends, operated a spy network during WWI (code name NILI) whose objective was to spy on the Turks and provide secret information back to British officials of the Arab Bureau in Cairo.
If we risk nothing, we’ll gain nothing and we’ll lose everything we’ve fought for.
Writing good historical-fiction is a recipe of balance - between how much is story -v- how much is truth; there needs to be a good dollop of 'accuracy' mixed in, together with a good pinch of 'what is believable'. According to the author, 'historical-fiction is about 90% story and 10% history'. I'm not going to argue that as she has written seven previous books, all of which are hugely popular.
Armstrong's novel is not a straight-up historical biography; but instead, is a nonfiction tale of espionage, passion and sacrifice. Posing the question : 'What are you willing to die for?'
This novel has highlighted some blanks in my knowledge of WWI history. The author has set her story in the Anatolian Plain, which is located in the heart of Turkey, specifically within the Central Anatolia Region. Descriptively, it's a plateau-like, semi-arid region that forms the heartland of the country, stretching inland from the Aegean coastal plain and situated between the two zones of folded mountains. That's a new one to this reader, as most of her WWI knowledge comes from France, England and Italy.
It’s better to be a poor man on your own scrap of land than a prosperous one at the mercy of others.
While they rested by day tormented by the savage heat, at night the brilliance of the stars brought tears to Eli’s eyes. How beautiful the world was. Humbled by his own insignificance in the face of such grandeur, he wanted to write it all down, to compose a poem that would convey his wonder at the beauty of the desert from its dazzling sunsets to the heart-aching splendour of its dawns, the cosmic miracle that lit up the world every morning.
Armstrong writes with effortless grace : from furtive moonlit swims out to the British steamship, to the smuggling of gold across borders, to carrier pigeons transmitting military secrets. It’s a story rich with tension, suspense and, danger. In clear, readable prose, Armstrong delves into the motivations and actions of Shoshana Adelstein and the spy ring she commanded. Armstrong's research is exhaustive, and the level of detail astounding, but not overwhelming. Armstrong's writing also reminds the reader that these people were not just spies, but bright, ambitious twenty-somethings with their own desires - both personal and professional. The dynamics of the group provide a fascinating undercurrent to the plot.
Highly recommended.
Synopsis /
During a train journey across Turkey's Anatolian Plain in 1915 during World War I, Shoshana Adelstein witnesses the slaughter of the Armenians and knows she has just come face to face with her destiny.
Convinced that her Jewish community in a small outpost of the Ottoman Empire will soon meet a similar fate, she is desperate to save her people. With Turkey and Britain locked in a global conflict, she orchestrates an audacious plan. Enlisting a group of co-conspirators who include her charismatic lover Eli and her impetuous brother Nathan, this young woman forms a clandestine spy ring. Conquering almost insurmountable obstacles, they risk betrayal, torture and death to spy on the Turks and pass on intelligence to the British to help them win the war.
This epic novel explores the fate of ordinary people whose mission collides with the secret agenda of powerful countries, people ready to risk everything to rescue their communities. But can individuals affect the fate of nations? And when life is at stake, how far will we go to reach the limits of our dreams?
My Thoughts /
The Wild Date Palm is my first read by Australian author, Diane Armstrong.
#StartRant#
And today, as I'm nearing the book's final chapter, I came across a podcast recorded by Cheryl Akle from 'Better Reading' titled 'Diane Armstrong on What Makes Historical Fiction Personal'. So here is my PSA : Listen to the podcast before reading the novel – it's only short - 30 minutes, but believe me it will make all the difference to your reading experience.
#EndRant#
Armstrong explains the idea for this novel came about when on a tour of Israel – driving around, the tour guide pointed out the town of Zichron Yaakov and proceeded to let everyone know that's where the Aaronsohn family lived. The Aaronsohn family or, more specifically, twenty-seven year old Sarah Aaronsohn, together with her siblings and close friends, operated a spy network during WWI (code name NILI) whose objective was to spy on the Turks and provide secret information back to British officials of the Arab Bureau in Cairo.
If we risk nothing, we’ll gain nothing and we’ll lose everything we’ve fought for.
Writing good historical-fiction is a recipe of balance - between how much is story -v- how much is truth; there needs to be a good dollop of 'accuracy' mixed in, together with a good pinch of 'what is believable'. According to the author, 'historical-fiction is about 90% story and 10% history'. I'm not going to argue that as she has written seven previous books, all of which are hugely popular.
Armstrong's novel is not a straight-up historical biography; but instead, is a nonfiction tale of espionage, passion and sacrifice. Posing the question : 'What are you willing to die for?'
This novel has highlighted some blanks in my knowledge of WWI history. The author has set her story in the Anatolian Plain, which is located in the heart of Turkey, specifically within the Central Anatolia Region. Descriptively, it's a plateau-like, semi-arid region that forms the heartland of the country, stretching inland from the Aegean coastal plain and situated between the two zones of folded mountains. That's a new one to this reader, as most of her WWI knowledge comes from France, England and Italy.
It’s better to be a poor man on your own scrap of land than a prosperous one at the mercy of others.
While they rested by day tormented by the savage heat, at night the brilliance of the stars brought tears to Eli’s eyes. How beautiful the world was. Humbled by his own insignificance in the face of such grandeur, he wanted to write it all down, to compose a poem that would convey his wonder at the beauty of the desert from its dazzling sunsets to the heart-aching splendour of its dawns, the cosmic miracle that lit up the world every morning.
Armstrong writes with effortless grace : from furtive moonlit swims out to the British steamship, to the smuggling of gold across borders, to carrier pigeons transmitting military secrets. It’s a story rich with tension, suspense and, danger. In clear, readable prose, Armstrong delves into the motivations and actions of Shoshana Adelstein and the spy ring she commanded. Armstrong's research is exhaustive, and the level of detail astounding, but not overwhelming. Armstrong's writing also reminds the reader that these people were not just spies, but bright, ambitious twenty-somethings with their own desires - both personal and professional. The dynamics of the group provide a fascinating undercurrent to the plot.
Highly recommended.
July 9, 2024
Sustained suffering seems to be an indictment of humanity, a phenomenon that is traced right through history to the present day.
The Great War a prime example, where suffering was rife on so many fronts.
A small Jewish community within the Ottoman Empire reflect how dire the situation was.
Shoshana and her family lived through persecution in her homeland of Romania.
The relative peace of their chosen homeland in Palestine was about to shatter as the Turks entered the war.
Activism and stealth kicked in after witnessing the brutality of minorities in the empire.
Forming a spy ring that revealed key information to the Allies about the Turks. Resistant fighters risked their lives and would rather die than succumb to torture tactics.
A well written and informative story that was educational.
It was saturated in detail and was a slow burn in places but didn’t derail my enjoyment.
Based loosely on true events this was an enthralling tale that exposed a little known front of the war that claimed so many.
Ironically forming a blue print that carved up the area that we now know as Israel and Palestine .
A place where Jews and Arabs lived harmoniously.
But the curse of suffering continues in its pointless way.
The Great War a prime example, where suffering was rife on so many fronts.
A small Jewish community within the Ottoman Empire reflect how dire the situation was.
Shoshana and her family lived through persecution in her homeland of Romania.
The relative peace of their chosen homeland in Palestine was about to shatter as the Turks entered the war.
Activism and stealth kicked in after witnessing the brutality of minorities in the empire.
Forming a spy ring that revealed key information to the Allies about the Turks. Resistant fighters risked their lives and would rather die than succumb to torture tactics.
A well written and informative story that was educational.
It was saturated in detail and was a slow burn in places but didn’t derail my enjoyment.
Based loosely on true events this was an enthralling tale that exposed a little known front of the war that claimed so many.
Ironically forming a blue print that carved up the area that we now know as Israel and Palestine .
A place where Jews and Arabs lived harmoniously.
But the curse of suffering continues in its pointless way.
June 9, 2024
I found the topic to be very interesting but I struggled with the writing.
May 9, 2024
In her most welcomed Author’s Note, Armstrong answered my most pressing questions about her magnetic historical narrative: Was this a true story? Were these characters from Zichron Yaakov in the years of the Yishuv (settlement in Israel pre-statehood, during WW1) responsible for the dedication and heroism in saving their Jewish communities by providing intelligence to the British against the Turkish forces? Armstrong explained that in “fictionalising their story {she} hoped to provide an emotional and imaginative dimension to their experiences which would breathe life into their historical facts.” And that she did with skill.
In her portrait of Shoshana Adelstein (Sarah Aronsohn), the author traced her formation and leadership of a spy ring that provided information to the British, with whom Shoshana and her conspirators saw a safer opportunity for the community than with the Turkish forces who had already murdered Armenian residents. The group also saw more of an opportunity for eventual statehood were the British to gain control of this region of the Ottoman Empire. The risks they took, the successes and failures they experienced in their providing information to the British about Turkish troops and their movement, were instrumental to a British victory over the enemy.
Armstrong certainly “breathed life” into this group of conspirators, particularly in her characterisation of Shoshana and her botanist brother, Nathan (Aron Aronsohn), who researched successful means of bringing water to the desert. I excused the melodrama of Armstrong’s inclusion of the love between Shoshana and Eli (Avshalom Fineberg) as it added an intimate perspective to this inspiring woman. The writing was fluid and powerful in presenting the “audacity of a young woman who fought an empire and sacrificed herself in her fight for freedom.”
In her portrait of Shoshana Adelstein (Sarah Aronsohn), the author traced her formation and leadership of a spy ring that provided information to the British, with whom Shoshana and her conspirators saw a safer opportunity for the community than with the Turkish forces who had already murdered Armenian residents. The group also saw more of an opportunity for eventual statehood were the British to gain control of this region of the Ottoman Empire. The risks they took, the successes and failures they experienced in their providing information to the British about Turkish troops and their movement, were instrumental to a British victory over the enemy.
Armstrong certainly “breathed life” into this group of conspirators, particularly in her characterisation of Shoshana and her botanist brother, Nathan (Aron Aronsohn), who researched successful means of bringing water to the desert. I excused the melodrama of Armstrong’s inclusion of the love between Shoshana and Eli (Avshalom Fineberg) as it added an intimate perspective to this inspiring woman. The writing was fluid and powerful in presenting the “audacity of a young woman who fought an empire and sacrificed herself in her fight for freedom.”
March 19, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4.
The Wild Date Palm is a historical novel that admittedly took me a while to get into, but by the end, found I was curious to see how the novel ended. Loosely based on the true story of Sarah Aaronsohn, it follows Shoshana Adelstein, a young Jewish woman living in Palestine at the start of WW1 who risks everything to spy against the Ottoman Empire. After witnessing the horrors of the Armenian genocide, she fears her people, family and friends will be the next targets, and with the aim of helping those she cares for, she throws herself into the dangerous world of espionage.
Armstrong paints a vivid picture of life in a land caught between war and survival, though at times I did find it dragged a little. I was more interested in the struggles of the people than I was in her personal feelings about her sister Leah and her lover Eli (though admittedly his death was tragic). The pacing often felt a little slow, and the spies’ actions often felt frustratingly obvious. However, Shoshana’s strength and sacrifice were admirable - even if she did frustrate me considerably at times.
This is a powerful reminder of resilience, courage, and the way history keeps repeating itself. I am interested in finding out more about this period of history, which I have to admit I feel sadly lacking in knowledge of.
The Wild Date Palm is a historical novel that admittedly took me a while to get into, but by the end, found I was curious to see how the novel ended. Loosely based on the true story of Sarah Aaronsohn, it follows Shoshana Adelstein, a young Jewish woman living in Palestine at the start of WW1 who risks everything to spy against the Ottoman Empire. After witnessing the horrors of the Armenian genocide, she fears her people, family and friends will be the next targets, and with the aim of helping those she cares for, she throws herself into the dangerous world of espionage.
Armstrong paints a vivid picture of life in a land caught between war and survival, though at times I did find it dragged a little. I was more interested in the struggles of the people than I was in her personal feelings about her sister Leah and her lover Eli (though admittedly his death was tragic). The pacing often felt a little slow, and the spies’ actions often felt frustratingly obvious. However, Shoshana’s strength and sacrifice were admirable - even if she did frustrate me considerably at times.
This is a powerful reminder of resilience, courage, and the way history keeps repeating itself. I am interested in finding out more about this period of history, which I have to admit I feel sadly lacking in knowledge of.
December 17, 2024
This book has left me with so many questions. I love a big of historical fiction and with the genocide happening in the Middle East at the moment I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn about what happened in Palestine from the perspective of the people living there (circa 1917). I've been left feeling very aware of the gaping knowledge I (and suggest most of us westerners) have about the history of Israel and Palestine. My next books are gonna be on the history. An important story, told well if quite slow and frustrating at times.
January 23, 2025
A fascinating story based on real history.
This book has everything from romance to intrigue.
The author, Diane Armstrong, clearly knows her stuff about Palestine during WWI.
Great to see Lawrence of Arabia included as such an integral part of this story too!
This book has everything from romance to intrigue.
The author, Diane Armstrong, clearly knows her stuff about Palestine during WWI.
Great to see Lawrence of Arabia included as such an integral part of this story too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2024
The Wild Date Palm is another incredibly intense historical fiction novel from Diane Armstrong. It is a story of bravery, strength and conviction in one’s beliefs set in Palestine and the Middle East during World War I.
This is the story of the Adelsteins, a Jewish family living in Zichron Yaakov and their role in establishing a spy ring to aid the British with the aim of driving out their Turkish oppressors. Based on the true story of Sarah Aaronsohn, portrayed as Shoshana’s story.
Given the continued unrest in the Middle East to this day, this is an interesting insight into the struggles that were occurring in Palestine a century ago.
This is the story of the Adelsteins, a Jewish family living in Zichron Yaakov and their role in establishing a spy ring to aid the British with the aim of driving out their Turkish oppressors. Based on the true story of Sarah Aaronsohn, portrayed as Shoshana’s story.
Given the continued unrest in the Middle East to this day, this is an interesting insight into the struggles that were occurring in Palestine a century ago.
August 31, 2024
"The Wild Date Palm" by Diane Armstrong is an exasperating read, plagued by shrill, egotistical central characters and clumsy, indiscreet espionage. From the very start, it's clear that Armstrong's spies are the most blatant you could ever hope (or rather, not hope) to encounter. If these characters are meant to be covert operatives, they are certainly going about their spying in the most obvious, ridiculous ways possible.
The writing itself is pedestrian at best, lacking the nuance or elegance that could have saved the book from its narrative pitfalls. Armstrong's prose is flat and uninspired, failing to elevate the plot or add any real depth to the setting or themes. The characters, meanwhile, are simplistic and lazily stereotypical, devoid of the complexity or intrigue that might make them memorable. Instead, we're left with a group of one-dimensional figures whose actions often border on the absurd. It's hard to believe these characters are capable of any genuine espionage when they behave like bumbling amateurs stumbling through a series of predictable, lacklustre events.
⭐
The writing itself is pedestrian at best, lacking the nuance or elegance that could have saved the book from its narrative pitfalls. Armstrong's prose is flat and uninspired, failing to elevate the plot or add any real depth to the setting or themes. The characters, meanwhile, are simplistic and lazily stereotypical, devoid of the complexity or intrigue that might make them memorable. Instead, we're left with a group of one-dimensional figures whose actions often border on the absurd. It's hard to believe these characters are capable of any genuine espionage when they behave like bumbling amateurs stumbling through a series of predictable, lacklustre events.
⭐
March 12, 2025
This is the story of the Adelsteins, a family living in Zichron Yaakov, and their role in establishing a spy ring with the aim of driving out their Turkish oppressors. Based on the true story of Sarah Aaronsohn, portrayed as Shoshana.
I loved this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 30, 2024
Exotic, sensual and poetic are the first words that come to mind of Diane Armstrong’s writing style in The Wild Date Palm. There’s mystery, danger, romance and death. Daring acts of defiance in the war against the enemy. And there are characters who fulfill their purpose and meet tragic ends. There were some I did not want to say good bye to and left me feeling sad. This in itself is the realistic aspect of war, particularly among resistant fighters who were captured, tortured and died. And Ms. Armstrong does not spare us or wrap our emotions in cotton balls to protect us from the inevitable. The harsh truth comes hurtling through like a sword aimed to kill.
Many petals are dropped along the pathway to freedom from bouquets of heart break on this journey that changes, teaches and informs us of what it might have been like for those who fought back. This novel is a real testament of courage and sacrifice inspired by a true story with many of the characters based on real people. I truly felt transported to the setting and given a front row seat to the events, homes and lives of these determined individuals who were not content to sit back and wait to be overtaken.
It all started in the picturesque town of Zichron Yaakov in Israel, where some young Jews formed a spy ring in an attempt to defeat the oppressive Turkish rulers. Their desire to help Britain win the war drove them to take risks that most people would not have considered. Many villagers did not approve of this group and worried they would draw attention to their community and bring ruin on them all. Spying on the Ottoman Empire could only lead to horrific events once its leaders knew. And, of course, eventually death and destruction did come knocking at their doors. But what sparked the beginning of this novel was a real woman named Sarah Aaronsohns whose tragic self-inflicted death was so memorable that the author knew she had to tell her story. This woman who was brave, daring and strong in character, became a leader – one who would not betray her comrades no matter what.
This novel is incredibly moving with a fascinating cast that you care about. The brilliant botanist brother Nathan plays an important role in this spy ring. Then there is Shoshana who loved fiercely, led bravely and died heroically. Her relationship with her little sister is a troubled one. But sibling love is at the core of her actions despite the friction. Their own journeys together and apart provide valuable insight into their personalities. The fact they loved the same man (Eli) created some tense moments. But they each find their own path and through a series of events come together eventually for healing. Sadly, only one will survive to carry on the legacy of hope: to tell the story.
The title of this novel The Wild Date Palm has a special romantic / symbolic meaning, too, which readers will see once arriving at a certain point in the plot. There are some amazing lyrical lines expressed in Eli’s and Shoshana’s correspondence and thoughts. They see themselves as soulmates that can never be parted and will remain attached to each other forever. There are moments shared by Shoshana that shows how connected in spirit she was to him and him to her.
I, like Diane, have been fascinated by the less known stories of those who are in the footnotes of history. In fact, this very same thought I have used in my own writing. It is those brave persons who sometimes fall through the cracks of history that authors want to bring out into the light to give them their chance to tell their worthwhile story: to be given a stage to be seen and heard. The author has wonderfully achieved this in The Wild Date Palm.
I highly recommend this exceptional tragic and triumphant story that shows how even death cannot quell the power of love and cry for freedom. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for a review copy.
Many petals are dropped along the pathway to freedom from bouquets of heart break on this journey that changes, teaches and informs us of what it might have been like for those who fought back. This novel is a real testament of courage and sacrifice inspired by a true story with many of the characters based on real people. I truly felt transported to the setting and given a front row seat to the events, homes and lives of these determined individuals who were not content to sit back and wait to be overtaken.
It all started in the picturesque town of Zichron Yaakov in Israel, where some young Jews formed a spy ring in an attempt to defeat the oppressive Turkish rulers. Their desire to help Britain win the war drove them to take risks that most people would not have considered. Many villagers did not approve of this group and worried they would draw attention to their community and bring ruin on them all. Spying on the Ottoman Empire could only lead to horrific events once its leaders knew. And, of course, eventually death and destruction did come knocking at their doors. But what sparked the beginning of this novel was a real woman named Sarah Aaronsohns whose tragic self-inflicted death was so memorable that the author knew she had to tell her story. This woman who was brave, daring and strong in character, became a leader – one who would not betray her comrades no matter what.
This novel is incredibly moving with a fascinating cast that you care about. The brilliant botanist brother Nathan plays an important role in this spy ring. Then there is Shoshana who loved fiercely, led bravely and died heroically. Her relationship with her little sister is a troubled one. But sibling love is at the core of her actions despite the friction. Their own journeys together and apart provide valuable insight into their personalities. The fact they loved the same man (Eli) created some tense moments. But they each find their own path and through a series of events come together eventually for healing. Sadly, only one will survive to carry on the legacy of hope: to tell the story.
The title of this novel The Wild Date Palm has a special romantic / symbolic meaning, too, which readers will see once arriving at a certain point in the plot. There are some amazing lyrical lines expressed in Eli’s and Shoshana’s correspondence and thoughts. They see themselves as soulmates that can never be parted and will remain attached to each other forever. There are moments shared by Shoshana that shows how connected in spirit she was to him and him to her.
I, like Diane, have been fascinated by the less known stories of those who are in the footnotes of history. In fact, this very same thought I have used in my own writing. It is those brave persons who sometimes fall through the cracks of history that authors want to bring out into the light to give them their chance to tell their worthwhile story: to be given a stage to be seen and heard. The author has wonderfully achieved this in The Wild Date Palm.
I highly recommend this exceptional tragic and triumphant story that shows how even death cannot quell the power of love and cry for freedom. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for a review copy.
March 25, 2025
In 1882, a group of Romanian Jews, fleeing religious persecution, bought land in Palestine and, with later help from the Rothschild family, founded the town of Zikhron Ya’akov. It is here in the years just before The Great War that we meet Shoshana Adelstein, elder daughter of a farmer whose vineyards contribute to the local wine making industry. After a love affair that ends unhappily, she marries a wealthy Turkish businessman, and moves to Constantinople.
1915 finds her bored, restless and stifled in a loveless marriage, but with her adopted country at war with Britain, France and Russia, she is anxious about her people in Palestine and, deceiving her husband, boards a train to Haifa. What she sees – displaced Armenian Christians being harried and beaten by Turkish soldiers – as the train trundles over the Anatolian plateau, shapes the rest of her life. On her return to Zikhron Ya’akov and appalled by what she has witnessed from the train window, Shoshana envisages that after the Armenians, the Jews living across the Ottoman empire will be next, and she vows to take action.
Together with her brother Nathan and her lover, Eli, Shoshana creates an intelligence network to gather information on Turkish troop movements, defensive works, logistics and troop morale. Eventually, contact is made with the British administration in Cairo, but as Shoshana’s network expands, its vulnerability to betrayal increases exponentially. I can take or leave some of the more frothy romantic sections of this book, but when Shoshana reconnects (they had met briefly before the war) with a certain young army officer called Thomas Edward Lawrence, the spark (for me) was lit.
Lawrence is in Cairo with his colleague, archaeologist – and intelligence agent – Leonard Woolley, and they are determined to disrupt the Turks in every way possible. History hands us so many ironies: Lawrence and the Jewish intelligence agents have a common enemy in the Turks, of course, but look for totally incompatible outcomes. Lawrence has promised an Arab homeland to the tribesmen he leads, while Shoshana and Nathan want a land where Jews can prosper.
The best fiction closely shadows real life and, in both reality and imagination, the worst betrayals come from within. Not from a snarling enemy, but from those once thought to be friends. The Wild Date Palm is a chastening example of how easily loyalty can be corrupted. The title of the book is deeply significant as, in the last chapter, Diane Armstrong slows us that life can truly spring from death, and that despair can be the mother of hope.
The slaughter of Armenian Christians before and during The Great War is a matter of historical record, Two decades later, another horrific act of genocide occurred and Danuta Julia Boguslawski, born in 1939 in Kraków, Poland, is well qualified to write about such things. She and her family survived the war and, in 1948, they emigrated to Australia. Now, writing as Diane Armstrong, with a long and successful career as a writer behind her, she has written a novel of great power and compassion, set in a time of turmoil and unimaginable cruelty. Published by HQ fiction, The Wild Date Palm is available now.
1915 finds her bored, restless and stifled in a loveless marriage, but with her adopted country at war with Britain, France and Russia, she is anxious about her people in Palestine and, deceiving her husband, boards a train to Haifa. What she sees – displaced Armenian Christians being harried and beaten by Turkish soldiers – as the train trundles over the Anatolian plateau, shapes the rest of her life. On her return to Zikhron Ya’akov and appalled by what she has witnessed from the train window, Shoshana envisages that after the Armenians, the Jews living across the Ottoman empire will be next, and she vows to take action.
Together with her brother Nathan and her lover, Eli, Shoshana creates an intelligence network to gather information on Turkish troop movements, defensive works, logistics and troop morale. Eventually, contact is made with the British administration in Cairo, but as Shoshana’s network expands, its vulnerability to betrayal increases exponentially. I can take or leave some of the more frothy romantic sections of this book, but when Shoshana reconnects (they had met briefly before the war) with a certain young army officer called Thomas Edward Lawrence, the spark (for me) was lit.
Lawrence is in Cairo with his colleague, archaeologist – and intelligence agent – Leonard Woolley, and they are determined to disrupt the Turks in every way possible. History hands us so many ironies: Lawrence and the Jewish intelligence agents have a common enemy in the Turks, of course, but look for totally incompatible outcomes. Lawrence has promised an Arab homeland to the tribesmen he leads, while Shoshana and Nathan want a land where Jews can prosper.
The best fiction closely shadows real life and, in both reality and imagination, the worst betrayals come from within. Not from a snarling enemy, but from those once thought to be friends. The Wild Date Palm is a chastening example of how easily loyalty can be corrupted. The title of the book is deeply significant as, in the last chapter, Diane Armstrong slows us that life can truly spring from death, and that despair can be the mother of hope.
The slaughter of Armenian Christians before and during The Great War is a matter of historical record, Two decades later, another horrific act of genocide occurred and Danuta Julia Boguslawski, born in 1939 in Kraków, Poland, is well qualified to write about such things. She and her family survived the war and, in 1948, they emigrated to Australia. Now, writing as Diane Armstrong, with a long and successful career as a writer behind her, she has written a novel of great power and compassion, set in a time of turmoil and unimaginable cruelty. Published by HQ fiction, The Wild Date Palm is available now.
March 19, 2024
‘If you had to choose a single image to represent your entire life, just one that you would be remembered by forever, what would you choose?’
During a train journey across Turkey’s Anatolian Plain in 1915, Shoshana Adelstein witnesses the slaughter of Armenian Christians. Shoshana cannot have known it at the time, but what she witnessed was part of what is widely regarded as the first act of genocide in the 20th century. What she was certain of, though, was that the small Jewish community she belonged to which was also located in the Ottoman Empire was destined to meet a similar fate. Shoshana’s parents had emigrated to Palestine from Romania thirty years earlier. They had established their home and an orchard near Zichron Yaakov. Shoshana has two siblings: an older brother, Nathan, a botanist, and a younger sister, Leah.
The Great War was underway, and Shoshana hoped that if the British won the war against Turkey, then her community would be saved. The British offensive at Gallipoli has failed: the British need another route to Constantinople.
‘Are you trying to tell me that in some godforsaken village in Palestine, a small group of Jews believe that spying on the Turks will help us win the war?’
Despite initial British scepticism, Shoshana, her brother Nathan, and her lover Eli Ginsberg establish a spy network. Those who are part of the network (including doctors, farmers, train porters) can gather information about the Turkish troops while undertaking their everyday jobs. The stakes are high, and some of those outside the network are suspicious. The group meets many challenges trying to share intelligence with the British, and ultimately (perhaps inevitably) the Turks become aware of their activities.
‘The enemy within could be more dangerous than the oppressors.’
Tragedy follows.
In her Author’s Note, Ms Armstrong writes that:
‘I have always found my subjects in the footnotes of history where I have encountered people whose actions have illustrated the unfathomable extremes of human behaviour.’
This novel is based on the extraordinary life of the Aaronsohn siblings: Aaron, Sarah, and Rivka. Eli Ginsberg is based on Avshalom Feinberg. The novel also involves some real characters as well, including T. E. Lawrence and Leonard Woolley. I think that Ms Armstrong strikes a perfect balance in this novel: fiction enables her to imagine characters and their interactions while remaining within the boundaries of history.
And the title? It’s perfect, as the ending makes clear.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
During a train journey across Turkey’s Anatolian Plain in 1915, Shoshana Adelstein witnesses the slaughter of Armenian Christians. Shoshana cannot have known it at the time, but what she witnessed was part of what is widely regarded as the first act of genocide in the 20th century. What she was certain of, though, was that the small Jewish community she belonged to which was also located in the Ottoman Empire was destined to meet a similar fate. Shoshana’s parents had emigrated to Palestine from Romania thirty years earlier. They had established their home and an orchard near Zichron Yaakov. Shoshana has two siblings: an older brother, Nathan, a botanist, and a younger sister, Leah.
The Great War was underway, and Shoshana hoped that if the British won the war against Turkey, then her community would be saved. The British offensive at Gallipoli has failed: the British need another route to Constantinople.
‘Are you trying to tell me that in some godforsaken village in Palestine, a small group of Jews believe that spying on the Turks will help us win the war?’
Despite initial British scepticism, Shoshana, her brother Nathan, and her lover Eli Ginsberg establish a spy network. Those who are part of the network (including doctors, farmers, train porters) can gather information about the Turkish troops while undertaking their everyday jobs. The stakes are high, and some of those outside the network are suspicious. The group meets many challenges trying to share intelligence with the British, and ultimately (perhaps inevitably) the Turks become aware of their activities.
‘The enemy within could be more dangerous than the oppressors.’
Tragedy follows.
In her Author’s Note, Ms Armstrong writes that:
‘I have always found my subjects in the footnotes of history where I have encountered people whose actions have illustrated the unfathomable extremes of human behaviour.’
This novel is based on the extraordinary life of the Aaronsohn siblings: Aaron, Sarah, and Rivka. Eli Ginsberg is based on Avshalom Feinberg. The novel also involves some real characters as well, including T. E. Lawrence and Leonard Woolley. I think that Ms Armstrong strikes a perfect balance in this novel: fiction enables her to imagine characters and their interactions while remaining within the boundaries of history.
And the title? It’s perfect, as the ending makes clear.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 2, 2024
I discovered Diane’s books a few years ago when my mother-in-law gave me a copy of The Collaborator for Christmas. I eagerly devoured it and then caught up on her back list. She always seems to discover interesting stories and writes in a way that whilst the story line is often very multilayered and complex it is also very engaging. The Wild Date Palm is no exception. It has a bit of everything in it- history, intrigue, espionage and a touch of romance!
This novel is set in Palestine during Ottoman occupation in World War I. It details a fascinating story of locals who set up a spy ring to help the British defeat the Turkish. It was an interesting part of World War I to learn about and enjoyed learning about this particular story and the formation of Syria in context to other parts of the war in the area I was familiar with. This part of the story got my heart racing on a number of occasions.
Covering a time period 1910 to 1917, we get to visit some exotic places such as Constantinople, Cairo and London. However the majority was set in the Palestinian town of Zichron Yaakov. I loved learning more about the town and the writing was so descriptive I could visualize myself in the dessert, surrounded by date palms. Again, I really appreciated all of Armstrong’s research and enjoyed learning more about Jewish and Bedouin cultures.
Told from the points of view of sisters Soshanna and Leah Adelstein, we get to know them both and brother Nathan. All three were intriguing characters and well developed. I enjoyed how the novel explored tricky sibling relationships and rivalries. The two sisters ended up in a love triangle with another brave character, Eli. I loved reading the author’s at the end about how these characters were based on real life siblings Sarah, Aaron and Rivka Aaronsohns. I always enjoy it when fictional characters stories are linked in with real life ones and seeing the appearance of the real life Lawrence of Arabia. Another fantastic read and I’m glad I had the chance to learn more about this little bit of history.
This novel is set in Palestine during Ottoman occupation in World War I. It details a fascinating story of locals who set up a spy ring to help the British defeat the Turkish. It was an interesting part of World War I to learn about and enjoyed learning about this particular story and the formation of Syria in context to other parts of the war in the area I was familiar with. This part of the story got my heart racing on a number of occasions.
Covering a time period 1910 to 1917, we get to visit some exotic places such as Constantinople, Cairo and London. However the majority was set in the Palestinian town of Zichron Yaakov. I loved learning more about the town and the writing was so descriptive I could visualize myself in the dessert, surrounded by date palms. Again, I really appreciated all of Armstrong’s research and enjoyed learning more about Jewish and Bedouin cultures.
Told from the points of view of sisters Soshanna and Leah Adelstein, we get to know them both and brother Nathan. All three were intriguing characters and well developed. I enjoyed how the novel explored tricky sibling relationships and rivalries. The two sisters ended up in a love triangle with another brave character, Eli. I loved reading the author’s at the end about how these characters were based on real life siblings Sarah, Aaron and Rivka Aaronsohns. I always enjoy it when fictional characters stories are linked in with real life ones and seeing the appearance of the real life Lawrence of Arabia. Another fantastic read and I’m glad I had the chance to learn more about this little bit of history.
March 18, 2025
Based on the true story of siblings Sarah, Aaron and Rivka Aaronsohn, this is a fictionalised story set during WWI. Shoshana ‘Shoshi’ Adelstein’s Jewish parents emigrated from Romania to Palestine more than thirty years ago, she has an older brother Nathan and a younger sister Leah. After marrying a man chosen by her parents she became very unhappy and in 1915 took a train back home to her family in Zichron Yaakov. Written in multiple timelines and set in multiple places this is compulsive reading.
Briefly, after witnessing the Armenian genocide from her train Shoshi is worried that the same will happen to her community. Determined to prevent this she is instrumental in setting up a spy ring alongside her brother Nathan and lover Eli Ginsberg, spying on the Turks and passing information on to the British.
An extraordinary story about a very brave woman and an equally brave group of men and women who comprised the spy network. I felt I had to read up about the Aaronsohn’s after reading this book and I understand why the author felt their story needed to be told. This is a raw and shocking story and I’m a little ashamed to admit I was completely unaware that the Ottoman Empire was so heavily involved in World War I. A fascinating narrative about war but also about bravery, self awareness and love. A very good read.
Many thanks to @readabookandlearnanewword for posting her copy to me.
4.5⭐️
Briefly, after witnessing the Armenian genocide from her train Shoshi is worried that the same will happen to her community. Determined to prevent this she is instrumental in setting up a spy ring alongside her brother Nathan and lover Eli Ginsberg, spying on the Turks and passing information on to the British.
An extraordinary story about a very brave woman and an equally brave group of men and women who comprised the spy network. I felt I had to read up about the Aaronsohn’s after reading this book and I understand why the author felt their story needed to be told. This is a raw and shocking story and I’m a little ashamed to admit I was completely unaware that the Ottoman Empire was so heavily involved in World War I. A fascinating narrative about war but also about bravery, self awareness and love. A very good read.
Many thanks to @readabookandlearnanewword for posting her copy to me.
4.5⭐️
April 22, 2024
"The Wild Date Palm" by Diane Armstrong would make a fabulous movie. I can imagine the vast landscapes and small village backdrops for this story of espionage, passion and family loyalty. Spying on the Turks in WW1 is risking death. But successfully passing intelligence to the British could end the war and save Jews from the gruesome slaughter Armenians suffered.
Shoshana Adelstein's story is based on true happenings. We cross paths with Lawrence of Arabia, criss cross the Middle East, all in a time when everyday heroes try to turn the tide of war in Palestine.
As I read in 2024, the war on Gaza rages. The idealistic thought that Jews and Arabs could live peacefully, is proved to be wrong.
A thought provoking novel...brave, exotic and passionate to the end with symbolism interwoven. Triumph can be self sacrifice but also a reunion.
These are stories I seek out and love....unsung heroes whose stories have been forgotten over time. Their bravery should not be forgotten.
Thanks to NetGalley, Diane Armstrong and Harlequin Australia for my copy
Shoshana Adelstein's story is based on true happenings. We cross paths with Lawrence of Arabia, criss cross the Middle East, all in a time when everyday heroes try to turn the tide of war in Palestine.
As I read in 2024, the war on Gaza rages. The idealistic thought that Jews and Arabs could live peacefully, is proved to be wrong.
A thought provoking novel...brave, exotic and passionate to the end with symbolism interwoven. Triumph can be self sacrifice but also a reunion.
These are stories I seek out and love....unsung heroes whose stories have been forgotten over time. Their bravery should not be forgotten.
Thanks to NetGalley, Diane Armstrong and Harlequin Australia for my copy
March 14, 2025
This is a slower moving journey, as you read through it, but it is very necessary. Not only is this a very intense topic and timeframe, but it is also one that most people do not have a real understanding of, so the time taken to create a robust story and fill in those gaps, means we need something that is slower in pace. It helps you have time to take everything and also to stop to process, begin to fathom and maybe even consider what it was like in their shoes.
I was so excited to see that this was based on a true story, as that always adds that bit extra to a historical piece and really connects me to it even more. It was so exciting and engaging, to feel a part of their journey and ultimate battle to find their way through and try to help their people. Just like so many who stand against oppressors or worse on wars, these lot had their work cut out for them, and they weren't afraid to do whatever it took. I really liked the book and the overall layout and thought it created a lot of insight into the time and the conflict.
I was so excited to see that this was based on a true story, as that always adds that bit extra to a historical piece and really connects me to it even more. It was so exciting and engaging, to feel a part of their journey and ultimate battle to find their way through and try to help their people. Just like so many who stand against oppressors or worse on wars, these lot had their work cut out for them, and they weren't afraid to do whatever it took. I really liked the book and the overall layout and thought it created a lot of insight into the time and the conflict.
April 12, 2024
Palestine in 1910 was a place where Jews and Arabs co-existed under the watch of the once mighty Ottomon empire. In the lead up to the Great War, the empire became less tolerant and openly persectuted some minorities. When war came, one small group of Jews decided to oppose the regime by forming a spy ring to report back to the British.
The Wild Date Palm is a skilfully re-constructed story of a seminal time in Middle Eastern history. The human element - and particularly the bravery and single minded determination of one woman - brings the narrative to life. Diane Armstrong transports readers into a fascinating and dangerous world and celebrates the lives of some true heroes.
See the full review at: https://www.queenslandreviewerscollec...
The Wild Date Palm is a skilfully re-constructed story of a seminal time in Middle Eastern history. The human element - and particularly the bravery and single minded determination of one woman - brings the narrative to life. Diane Armstrong transports readers into a fascinating and dangerous world and celebrates the lives of some true heroes.
See the full review at: https://www.queenslandreviewerscollec...
March 10, 2025
This book, based on a true story, is set during World War One but not in France, England or Italy but Turkey’s Anatolian Plain. Shoshana Adelstein witnesses Armenian people being massacred and expelled she fears for the persecution of her own Jewish community in Palestine. She, with others, including Nathan her brother form a group, mainly of farming families to spy for the British. The group do not know who they can and cannot trust, near and far, friends and family.
From the sand dunes and locusts in Palestine to the cosmopolitan markets and confined and controlled women in Constantinople this is a story of love and loss, courage and commitment, risk and resilience. This is a powerful read and, whilst set over one hundred years ago, very much a book for today.
From the sand dunes and locusts in Palestine to the cosmopolitan markets and confined and controlled women in Constantinople this is a story of love and loss, courage and commitment, risk and resilience. This is a powerful read and, whilst set over one hundred years ago, very much a book for today.
July 17, 2024
Based on real life characters, this novel tells the story of Shoshana Adelstein, a young Jewish woman who established a spy ring to feed intelligence to Britain in a bid to assist in the overthrow of the Ottoman empire in Palestine in 1917. Set against the backdrop of global conflict, the novel is rich in romance and drama and explores whether a committed individual can affect the course of history. It was an interesting time to read this novel as Israel seemingly faces an existential crisis following the events of October 7th 2024.
Armstrong is not a great literary talent, but the story is interesting and quite readable.
Armstrong is not a great literary talent, but the story is interesting and quite readable.
November 19, 2025
Dull Read
I’ve read several of Armstrong’s works and enjoyed them, so I purchased this one, although the description didn’t appeal to me. This was a plodding, boring read filled with unlikable characters and the prose felt forced, like Armstrong herself wasn’t feeling it but had to finish. Couldn’t stand Soshanna, the heroine, and the whole portrayal of Ely playing both sisters off each other repulsed me, but we’re supposed to believe he’s this great guy. Because that’s what good guys do, cheat on their girlfriends with their own sister. Anyway, take my advice and skip this one.
I’ve read several of Armstrong’s works and enjoyed them, so I purchased this one, although the description didn’t appeal to me. This was a plodding, boring read filled with unlikable characters and the prose felt forced, like Armstrong herself wasn’t feeling it but had to finish. Couldn’t stand Soshanna, the heroine, and the whole portrayal of Ely playing both sisters off each other repulsed me, but we’re supposed to believe he’s this great guy. Because that’s what good guys do, cheat on their girlfriends with their own sister. Anyway, take my advice and skip this one.
May 22, 2024
After a slow start for me this book quickly lifts the pace as the characters become embroiled in espionage. This novel is based on the true story of a citizen led spy ring during WWI and includes references to ANZAC forces and the ineptitude of the British hierarchy during the various Middle East campaigns. Given the current world situation this story traces some of the history that plays into today. Definitely worthy of your time.
January 15, 2024
What a page turner. This really was completely engrossing. ‘Moonless nights, white sheets and puffs of smoke’ this really is the ultimate story of espionage! I was so captivated by Shoshanna’s story. I could see and believe all of the characters, feel the heat from the desert and see the wild date palm. It is a hard read when considering the Israel today, but I just read it as a ww1 story
June 21, 2024
I was uninspired at the start of this but I kept going as I am usually pretty determined to finish what I’ve started. Although the writing wasn’t what I wanted and I cringed at the inclusion of TE Lawrence as a character I was still glad that I did. The most interesting substantive piece was the author’s note at the end of the book
.
.
July 19, 2024
and a 1/2
Odd that this is my first by this prolific historical fiction author...a genre I have always enjoyed.
It will NOT be the last as I found her story telling flowed well...even when the subject matter is harrowing ; the decimation of the Armenians is still sadly a contentious issue and they still face persecution. Humans have learnt NOTHING from its own history.
Odd that this is my first by this prolific historical fiction author...a genre I have always enjoyed.
It will NOT be the last as I found her story telling flowed well...even when the subject matter is harrowing ; the decimation of the Armenians is still sadly a contentious issue and they still face persecution. Humans have learnt NOTHING from its own history.
July 28, 2024
A fascinating story of courage, relationships snd passion set in WW1 Palestine, based on a group of young Jews helping contribute to the demise of the Ottoman Empire.
Many of the incidents and outcomes give a deeper understanding of the current political situation and the lingering question at the conclusion of ‘What if’?
Many of the incidents and outcomes give a deeper understanding of the current political situation and the lingering question at the conclusion of ‘What if’?
May 20, 2024
Excellent!!
Hard to put down. For me it was an educational read that delves into Palestinian history over the last century.
Diane Armstrong is a fabulous writer and is a new fave author for me!
THANKS!!!!!
Hard to put down. For me it was an educational read that delves into Palestinian history over the last century.
Diane Armstrong is a fabulous writer and is a new fave author for me!
THANKS!!!!!
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