The Bells of Memory: A Palestinian Boyhood in Jerusalem

by Issa J. Boullata

The distinguished Arabic scholar, author, and translator Issa J. Boullata grew up in a Palestinian family in the Jerusalem of the 1930s and 1940s, when Palestine was under the British Mandate. His memoir, The Bells of Memory, is delightful in its reflections on an idyllic youth and detailed in its recollections of family members, classmates and teachers, remembered scents and foods, the pleasures of reading, and his early experience of the working world. This is a love letter to a Jerusalem that was changed immeasurably by Al-Nakba, the Palestinian Catastrophe of 1948 that dispossessed the Palestinians of their homeland and dislocated many as refugees when Israel was established.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History

87 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2014

Reviews

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and bittersweet, this is the memories of Issa J. Boullata for his homeland. Even though he left the country of Palestine in the 1960s and spent a good many years in Canada Palestine remains his home. He tells his memories of his own personal life and in the innocence of youth never imagined he would be forced from his home, his land and his family and friends. Here again in history the minority oppressing the majority, which includes people of the Jewish faith long before Israel and long before the Balfour Declaration that turned countless lives upside down. But while he and many others lost much they aren't beaten down. They're resilient with the hope that if they can't go home they can at least have some redress. Well worth a read.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet memoir of a gentle soul who evolved into a respected academic. Issa Boullata grew up in Jerusalem where he spent his childhood till early adulthood. He grew up in a loving home, appreciative of his parents efforts to give him a comfortable and principled upbringing, and had a zest for life accompanied by a love of learning and books. In this brief memoir he descibes the city he lived in, his experiences, the people he came across. It's well written and easy to read.

[Doriana Bisegna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tiny book is only 85 pgs long and yet I wanted more from the author. I was just getting into it and BAM, it's over! Not Fair!

I enjoyed reading about Palestine and Jerusalem in the 30's and 40's. I enjoyed his take on the never ending debate about Israel.

[World Literature Today]

This book was featured in the Nota Benes section of the Sept/Oct 2015 issue of World Literature Today Magazine.

http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief, touching memoir and a rare view of a lost period of time in Palestine. A treasure!

[Aʅҽxαɳԃɾα Ᏸ.❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai bcp aimé cette lecture. Une mention spéciale pour l’entretien à la toute fin avec l’auteur et Yara El-Ghadban.