Chains of Sand

by Jemma Wayne

He has always been good at tracking down things that are hidden, like cockroaches in his mother's kitchen cupboard, or tunnels in Gaza. At 26, Udi is a veteran of the Israeli army and has killed five men. He wants a new life in a new place. He has a cousin in England.

Daniel is 29, a Londoner, an investment banker and a Jew. He wants for nothing, yet he too is unable to escape an intangible yearning for something more. And for less. He looks to Israel for the answer. But as the war with Hamas breaks out, Daniel cannot know that the star-crossed love of a Jewish girl and an Arabic man in Jerusalem a decade earlier, will soon complicate all that he thinks has become clear.

Genres: Fiction, Middle East, Israel, Contemporary

323 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2016

About the author

Born to an American musician father, and English mother, Jemma grew up in leafy Hertfordshire and studied Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge University and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Westminster. She began her career as a journalist at The Jewish Chronicle and now works freelance splitting her time between journalism, writing for stage, and prose. Her first play, Negative Space, was staged in 2009 at Hampstead's New End Theatre, receiving critical acclaim.

The idea for After Before was first spawned after attending a SURF charity event organised by her husband, in aid of survivors of the Rwandan genocide. It was there that Jemma heard first-hand some of the lingering effects of the 1994 war.

Reviews

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 5 out of 5]

5★
I was thoroughly engrossed in the stories of these families trying to live normal lives in the middle of the never-ending conflict between Jews and Arabs. There are other family members, but it’s these young people who capture our interest. Young people who all feel torn between what they have, what they want, what they know, and what they should do.

These stories all follow separate paths, with some terrifying moments while Udi is on patrol as a reserve soldier – it’s still a war, and people are still dying on both sides. There’s politics, of course, the Kerry talks, the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas, rockets, bombs, tunnels.

The chapters are all titled either “Now” or “Then”.

Now:
Udi and Ella are Israeli Jews who’ve been a couple for a while, and she’s expecting a proposal (he’s easily and often tempted by her and her dressed-for-sex red undies). But Udi has regularly visited his same-age cousin Ben in England and is thinking about leaving Israel. Not necessarily with Ella, but, you know, those undies!

Udi’s tired. He’s a soldier who’s lost friends and been badly wounded himself, been badly disturbed by seeing small children present during Palestinian home inspections, and been turned away once too often at the door of nightclubs because he’s so much darker than his friends—could be an Arab.

In England, nobody notices him among all the different colours and cultures. He is startled at the lack of security, the absence of guns and checkpoints. His cousin seems naively immature, wasting time at university, playing around, time and options that Udi and his Israeli friends wish they had.

“British families send their sons and daughters to university to learn, but also to grant them a few extra years in which to figure out what will come next –a gentle transition to adulthood. Israeli parents send their children straight to the front line.”

So Udi wants some of that. A chance to have a life. To stop thinking only about enemies and danger.

Then:
We meet Dara, a gorgeous, sexy 15-year-old Jewish schoolgirl, who loves displaying the power of her new curves in tight shirts and jeans.

“She is acutely aware of the unspeakable allure of sexuality mixed with youth. It has blinded the boys in her class, the teacher too; she is able to do anything.”

She carries her sketchpad (she’s a budding artist, as well as a show-off) and parks herself on the side of a street in an Arab section, sketching a shopfront where an interesting young man leans, smoking in the doorway. We know where this is going.

Kaseem, the young Arab from the shop, eventually claims her and brings her home for meals with his family. They try to hide their despair at this immodest girl, and as he gets more possessive of her, he begins to get jealous that others can admire her. He is especially troubled that he can’t get work, can’t get permits to fix their house, and is pretty much hamstrung from doing anything at all.

Kaseem thinks "unless one of them converts, [it] means they will never marry. Their chains are made only of sand. Soft. Elusive. As hard as steel."

Like Udi, he just wants a life. With Dara. How?

Now:
Daniel is an English Jew whose family keeps kosher and whose grandmother wears long sleeves to cover her concentration camp tattoo. His best friend is Safia, a Muslim girl he’s known forever.

They’ve been mates for years, having coffee together regularly without succumbing (yet) to the sexual tension that’s obviously been building. He likes to think he’s broad-minded, but she says she knows he will only ever marry a Jewish girl and she's pretty tetchy about it.

Why does he keep kosher? "Because that's how I was brought up." No other reason, but he sticks to it.

When Daniel visits Israel, he is relaxing in a café reading the paper and it suddenly dawns on him that this is exactly the situation his mother and sister warned him to avoid. This is exactly the sort of place that attacks take place. He’s forgotten he’s not just a tourist in an interesting part of the world. Israel is a war zone.

Back home in England, when he’s caught personally in a protest against the Jews over Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, he hears echoes of Hitler in the background. He finally has some sense of his grandmother's fear and what it really means to be a Jew. He’s getting itchy to do something more important, to be truly Jewish.

Daniel wants a life. Then he meets a beautiful young Israeli woman (who does not keep kosher but loves prawns), and the rest, as they say, is history. His family wants him to stay safe in England. But Orli is so wonderful!

He has the 'right of return' to Israel, being Jewish, but Safia points out that Palestinians don't. Daniel says "But I reckon there are enough countries where Jews have been booted out for there to be one country that welcomes us in."

Then:
Kaseem’s is only a small part of the story, but it is clear how dire his situation is and how miserable and powerless he feels. Dara’s artwork is becoming noticed and is hanging in galleries while he is stuck with a poor manual job.

Now:
Udi’s family wants him to stay in Israel to protect them.

Udi says at one point: “If I were Arab I would want Israel too and if I were English I would feel sorry for them. But nobody knows what’s really happening. And nobody in England really cares. They go out and they shout for a bit and then they go home and go to bed and get up in the morning and go to work. And the Arabs don’t really care what you guys think anyway. It’s us they’re getting at. Israelis. . . . They want to make us forget what we’re fighting for and why we need our own land and the reason Israel was created.”

The people are wonderful—the situation is unthinkable. I have only hinted at what’s there. Wonderful book about an awful situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.

[Jackie Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chains of Sand, by Jemma Wayne, tells the loosely connected stories of families whose lives are affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. I know little about this highly contentious region, despite having worked on a kibbutz near Gaza many years ago. I had hoped that this book might offer some enlightenment.

From the minuscule knowledge I have of Jews I assumed that, apart from the black suited and hatted Orthodox variety, they were generally well educated and intelligent. I therefore struggled to empathise with these Jewish characters. They appeared overly bound to tradition, family and religion. Even those who believed themselves liberal struggled with the ties of ritual. They viewed themselves as Jews first, believing themselves assimilated in their host nation yet living largely amongst people like them.

Of course, we all gravitate to those who share similar values. Perhaps it was the incursion of religion that discomforted me.

The theme throughout the story is one of belonging and the disconnect some feel to the lives their loved ones expect them to live. Many young people rebel against the demands of the previous generation. This tale vividly demonstrates how difficult cultural bonds are to break.

Udi is an Israeli Jew born to Iraqi parents. He has been damaged by his experiences fighting for his country, as all young Jewish Israelis must do. He dreams of moving to England where a similarly aged cousin has made a prosperous life for himself. Udi compares this to his own prospects and plots his escape.

Daniel is a financially successful investment banker in London who believes a move to Israel could give his life the depth and meaning it lacks. His grandmother is a concentration camp survivor, his best friend a British Muslim. His sister is engaged to a gentile, a choice he supports but struggles to consider for himself.

Kaseem is an Arab Muslim living in Jerusalem. Despite graduating near the top of his university class he cannot find the work he expected his qualification to bring. He rails against the discrimination he must live with due to his race. When he meets the beautiful Dara, an artist from a supposedly liberal Jewish family, they both discover that prejudices are difficult to overcome.

The challenges of living in Israel are well evoked. The young people struggle with the responsibility they feel towards their families. However accepting the men may think themselves, they still expect to dominate. The girls are beautiful and strong but also tied to tradition. Only Udi’s sister, Avigail, seems willing to truly challenge the patriarchy, and she pays a terrible price.

Daniel’s family at first appears to have fitted in well to British society. As the story progresses it becomes clear that they choose to exist within the confines of a Jewish community. When Daniel decides to join a rally he cries out for peace whilst planning to join the Israeli army. The juxtaposition is telling.

The course of all the characters’ lives, the expectations they have for themselves and for those around them, was, for me, summed up as a metaphor in a comment made about birthday presents:

“Gifts are funny things. I know you’re meant to try to think of something the receiver would like, something they would want, nothing to do with you, but it never works that way. There’s always a not-so-subtle hint of the giver in there, an intimation of their perception of who the receiver is, or who they wish them to be.”

Each of the younger family members struggles with the disconnect between what they think they want and the mould their family is trying to push them into. The three young men’s view of themselves is a deception. Prejudices picked up from the cradle run deep.

Even though I was often discomforted by the content, the quality of the writing is impressive. These are difficult issues to explore and the author does not flinch from presenting differing points of view. Her sympathy appears to be with the Jews, but she vividly portrays Palestinian issues. Having said that, I feel no closer to understanding why this region evokes such widespread ire when the world is full of troublespots, or why the Jews have been singled out so often and by so many for persecution.

An interesting and challenging story that is well worth reading. I would now like to peruse more of this author’s work.

[Donna Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful, emotive and thought-provoking. This is not an easy read at all but it is very well written . It took much longer than I expected as there was so much to think about. It is a book about Israel and her enemies, written from the Israeli perspective. It covers Gaza and Hamas, and why Israelis react as they do, how past, present and future collide and impact on the Israeli state and people and their view of what Israel should be in the world. There is a clever linking of the war against Hamas and action in Gaza with the holocaust suffering of the older members of one family. It is very subtle but it is there and it has great impact. The use of a relationship between an Arab boy and a Jewish girl underlines the hopelessness of the situation. That one relationship provides a perfect illustration of why there will never be a resolution or peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The story unfolds through the impact of tension and the fear of terror on several families. We see how Israel is seen by Jews living outside it and how various elements of Israeli society see it. My only criticism of the book was that I found the structure of going between Israel, Gaza and London and the various families quite confusing. Also I thought it took too long to see how the stories were interlinked. I did wonder at one point where the story was going.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for a review copy.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful, thought-provoking and emotional (and extremely well-written) book is about so many things – race, religion, identity, patriotism, loyalty, fear, politics, family, love – in a word about life in its broadest sense, life in a complicated world, and author Jemma Wayne manages to hold all the threads together and weave them into a remarkably satisfying whole. At its heart are two young men. Udi is 26 and a veteran of the Israeli army. He wants to escape the tensions and violence of his country and start a new life in London. Daniel is 29 and a successful London investment banker. He’s also a Jew and begins to feel more and more strongly that he should be in Israel. How these two men resolve their internal conflicts and the problems and pressures that their decisions bring to their families is played out against the increasing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Wayne covers many issues in this novel but does so with a light touch, never descending to didacticism or stereotypes but always maintaining a balanced view as expressed through her characters. At one level a family saga and a love story, at another a profoundly political novel, it’s an immersive experience and I felt I understood a lot more by the end of it. A portrait of a country at war with itself and the outside world and of characters who have to find a way to negotiate their world, the novel is a success on all counts. Well done to Legend on discovering yet another great writer.

[Isobel Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work of contemporary fiction, Chains of Sand by Jemma Wayne is a timely and important portrayal of a realm of Middle Eastern conflict made familiar to most of us in the West through the distorted lens of news and current affairs coverage, a lens too often smeared with the Vaseline of prejudice, its purported wide angle little more than a pinhole. Perhaps it is only through the lived experience of people to some degree inside the context of Israeli/ Palestinian tensions and conflict that our awareness can broaden and deepen. Set against the backdrop of another looming conflict with Gaza,

Chains of Sand offers the reader a chance to share in the lives of an endearing cast of characters rendered as vivid and as real as the reader’s intimate friends, and through this cast, to consider perspectives from within what is widely considered the aggressor nation: Israel.

The architecture of the narrative is in essence simple, two young men hankering for a better life: Iraqi-born Israeli, Udi, craving a life in London; and Jewish Londoner, Daniel, bent on moving to Tel Aviv. Neither is religious, they represent a generation pulling away from orthodoxy, yet they are each influenced by and wrestle with the beliefs, customs and rituals of the Jewish faith as it impacts on their lives through their families and friends.

The story begins with Udi, fresh from the army, unemployed, listless and frustrated, his application to reside in Britain a source of constant anxiety and hope. Despite the third person narration, the reader is beside him, in his home with his mother and father, out in the streets of Ramat Gan with its cosmopolitan vibe, caught in the mayhem of the traffic, hanging out with his friends on the beach or in a cafe, and sharing in his flashback memories of fighting in Gaza. Udi is a young man haunted and determined to rise above it.

He is also is a man loyal to the Israeli state and keen to defend it. Yet through lessons learned from his own troubled past, Udi understands the need to keep the human actor present in descriptions of conflict. In questioning an army friend’s statement that his brother was killed by a bomb, and not a bomber, Udi states, “The semantics allow him to hold a whole people to blame and salvage at least some opportunity to put things right: a tooth for a tooth.” Yet it is Udi’s unreflective habit of rolling bits of shrapnel in his palm, “like prayer beads,” that confronts the reader with the realisation that in Israel, war is in danger of replacing religion as a system of faith.

The reader is soon in London and introduced to the headstrong, self-analytical, angst-filled and not entirely likeable city banker Dan, the narrative switching to first person to fully exploit his egocentric introspections. Through Dan, Judaic believing and practice in London in all its variants is depicted with wit and warmth, no better conveyed than when Dan describes his father’s consternation over changing attitudes to the customs of faith, the same father who helped found a cross-cultural London dialogue group. “Perhaps this is why he speaks now like a man clutching desperately to a stream of water escaping from a tap that he himself turned on.”

Written in clear, unsaturated prose, the narration remains close, calm and measured throughout, the story’s horrors, tragedies and triumphs depicted with just enough detail and never overplayed. There are echoes of Howard Jacobson’s The Finkler Question, both novels delving into the complexity of being Jewish in London. Yet refreshingly, Wayne’s Dan lacks the intense and almost stereotypically neurotic introspection of Jacobson’s protagonist. Instead, and especially through the eyes of her female characters, Wayne conveys the realities that confront ordinary people struggling to exist and find work and love and fulfilment in cities prone to attack, where prejudice can turn to violence with little provocation.

Both Udi’s and Dan’s mothers reflect more orthodox perspectives, their anxieties those of any mother agonising over the welfare of the son she is about to lose. It is through the two men’s sisters and girlfriends that the reader is presented with progressive, sophisticated, complex responses to a Jewish identity in crisis. Dan’s sister Gaby is emphatic that she is British first, and Jewish second; that in matters of identity, nationality is paramount. Dan’s girlfriend, talented artist Urli, speaks of the diversity and elusiveness of truth. And Udi’s sister Avigail, wife, mother and daughter too, is a cross-cultural intellectual feminist activist campaigning for peace and taking risks with her own life to achieve it.

A parallel narrative takes the reader back in time, before the wall went up in Jerusalem, a time when a naïve young Jewish girl snuck into the Arabic quarter of the city searching for inspiration and finding love. It is an intoxicating, acutely observed depiction of the Romeo and Juliet scenario, for Dara’s love is surely forbidden, Kaseem’s just as surely doomed. Here, Chains of Sand becomes almost a whispered narrative of the immutable social strictures that separate Muslim Arab from Jew.

The Muslim Arab perspective is again explored with the softest of brushstrokes in Dan’s girlfriend, Safia, who serves as his moral stanchion, quietly goading, quizzing, testing, as he defends his prejudices, and his decisions.

The female characters in Chains of Sand are positioned somewhat in the shade cast by the male protagonists, yet this shade is not obscure. It is shade made all the richer for being beyond the harsh rays of the stark either/or realities of Udi and Dan. In the shade are the textures, the nuances, the depths, and the deeper the reader ventures into its recesses, the closer she is to the truth.

Chains of Sand is a brave book, one that reveals the complexities of being Jewish and of being Israeli, of identifying with Israel as a nation, as a concept, as a home for the Jewish people, complexities hampered by a modern zeitgeist that is wont to be blindly anti-Israel. Chains of Sand challenges a viewpoint unable to see a polyglot cosmopolitan nation struggling to grow and understand itself, whilst fully cognizant that this same nation is blinkered by the politics of aggression towards its neighbours, a nation apt to stumble into overreaction through fear of losing itself. It does the reader no harm to explore perspectives born of the lived experience of those we may apparently oppose. For that alone, I salute the author. https://isobelblackthorn.com/

(Review copy kindly provided via NetGalley. A version of this review will appear in the August edition of Shiny New Books, UK)

[Kelsi H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at http://ultraviolentlit.blogspot.ca!

I was drawn into this novel in spite of myself – for some reason, I thought the subject matter might be a little dry, but actually I couldn’t put it down. Its depiction of life in Israel, while at war with Palestine, certainly makes you consider current world events in new ways, and it is done by showing us dramatic scenes and quiet moments – the author never tells us how to think or feel. It is not an easy read, but it is a necessary one.

The novel follows two young men as their lives eventually intersect in surprising ways. Udi is a 26-year-old veteran of the Israeli army. He was injured during battle and he still carries the shrapnel in his pocket, as a reminder of what he has been through and his aspirations for the future. Udi desperately wants to leave Israel, and he lines up a job with his cousins in London – but he does so without consulting his long-time girlfriend, jeopardizing their relationship.

At the same time in England, Daniel is a 29-year-old investment banker with a successful career, and great friends and family. In spite of his seemingly perfect life, he feels an emptiness inside. Most importantly, he is struggling with his Jewish faith – he thinks he should be doing more to express it. His friendship with female Muslim Safia is the perfect format for the two to discuss their conflicting religions, and while Daniel believes Safia’s faith is preventing them from moving into a romantic relationship, it is in fact Daniel’s own devoutness that stops him from loving her.

As protests break out in London against Israel’s invasion of Gaza, Daniel becomes alarmed by the increasing Anti-Semitism in his own country. Meanwhile, he is equally shocked by his Jewish friends expressing racism against Muslims: “Hatred for a whole religion, culture, people? Isn’t that what we’re fighting against?” (Loc. 4086) Daniel’s grandmother, a survivor of a World War II concentration camp, tells him that the only good thing to come from the Holocaust was the creation of Israel, and so it must be protected at all costs. With her blessing, Daniel decides to move to Israel, in spite of the very real chance that he will be forced to join the army and fight.

There is a third storyline set in Jerusalem, in which a star-crossed love affair occurs between a young Jewish girl and an Arabic man – it is hard to follow because the novel moves between continents as well as time periods. It’s best to stop worrying about how it will all come together and just trust the author to guide is there – but I do wish the three stories had connected sooner.

This novel shows empathy in action, as people of opposing political and religious views are forced to see things from another angle. Udi’s sister writes in a letter that “We are losing our ability to see another side, to just recognize the suffering there, let alone take responsibility for it.” (Loc. 3446) In our current political climate, I think this is a lesson we can all learn.

I received this novel from Legend Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Martin Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is quite clear why Jemma Wayne was longlisted for the Bailey's Women's Prize For Fiction for her previous novel, After Before, if this is anything to go by. There ae three cleverly related stories in one here all of which illustrate the harsh realitiesof life in Israel, or not as the case may be. The stories of Udi and Daniel both relate how people, though from different backgroundss, have the view that the grass is greener on the other side - and perhaps it is to a certain extent, whether in England or Israel, though clearly there are faults with both. "Israel is the greatest country in the world" is oft stated by characters in this book and maybe to the Jewish people living there it is, though I doubt the Palestinians/Muslims of the area would agree. This brings us to the story of young Dara and the more mature Orli. Dara and her schoolgirl friends, in pursuit of their art lessons, make many trips to the Palestinian side of Jerusalem from their cosy Israeli homes and discover a much seedier side of life, though this brings Dara into contact with the handsome Kaseem which encourages Dara to make more and more illicit trips to the 'wrong' side of town. Meanwhil Daniel visits Israel from England and develops grand ideas of giving up his banking career and moving to the 'homeland', especially after meeting Orli. Udi is fed up of being called into the Israei army and wants to move to London, against the wishes of his mother and his girlfriend. There are many threads in the book that illustrate how complex the whole Palestinian/Israeli situation is, and indeed life is also.
A remarkable book which will not fail to interest anyone, whether or not they have an interest in the Middle East.

[Naomi Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written and would appeal to those interested in the situation in Israel and Palestine. It is a tale of friendship, survival, love and families. It is about two young men: Daniel who is a Jewish Londoner, but who feels his life is trivial and wants to emigrate to Israel to serve in the army and Udi, an Iraqi Jew who lives in Israel but is fed up with his life there and yearns to emigrate to London. Along their journeys, we meet their friends and family and because of the excellent descriptions, it is easy to imagine the two different lives.
The book explores some very challenging and contentious issues, eg. the state of Israel, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, the war in Gaza and anti-Palestinian/Arab feelings. It is a book that really makes you think, especially about prejudice and inter-racial relationships. It is a good story and does not just hit you about the head with serious issues. It is a very prescient read.
The only thing that I didn’t care for was the changing of protagonists and place with each chapter because I got quite confused – probably this is a reflection on me rather than Jemma’s writing! I would recommend that readers keep notes of the places, main characters and their family and friends.
I recommend this book whether you know nothing about the Israeli/Arab conflict, or you wish to think again about what you already know.

[D.A. Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, and I'm very thankful I did, otherwise I might have missed out on a great read.

Although I found the structure of the narrative a little confusing and frustrating, which with other books has been enough for me to quit reading, the writing was so good and the characters so rich and interesting I couldn't stop. My reward was a couple of brilliant surprises which I won't reveal here. The use of present tense was very effective, and unlike many literary novels, Chains of Sand was not slow, despite the fact that the plot was clearly secondary to the wonderful characters, and their struggles with identity.

Offering a terrific insight into the Arab-Israeli conflict and the concept of Israel and being Jewish, and prejudice and ignorance, Chains of Sand was truly compelling. Unique in style and rich in flavour, I loved it. A mind broadening and emotionally stirring novel.

[Heather Hyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is excellent in parts but clumsy and not defined enough in others for me, and therefore didn't wholly keep my attention.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won “Chains of Sand” on Goodreads and will give it an honest review.

“Chains of Sand” was well-written with a fascinating subject. This is exactly the kind of book that I like to read. The author, Jemma Wayne, tells the stories of several Jewish men and women and one Palestinian during a time of relative peace, in Israel, and ending in war. Not only do we learn the stories of these individuals but it is a great explanation as to how the Arab/Israeli conflict affects the lives of ordinary people.

The book centers on Udi and David. Udi, a soldier in the Israeli army wants to leave Israel and escape the constant fear. David, an investment banker in London, wants to emigrate to Israel where he thinks he can do something important with his life. We also learn the stories of Dara and Kaseem. Kaseem is the only Palestinian in the book. His story is just as important as the rest since we quickly learn the frustrations of his life and what it’s like to be Palestinian and living in Israel.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes books with more detailed personal journeys of discovery, books that tell personal stories that also help explain larger global issues and books that have several loosely connected story lines.

[Ruth Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great book. At first I didn't think I would like it as it's not a topic or part of the world I generally read about, but I was totally hooked right from the start. I admit to not knowing too much about the conflict before or now in Israel/Palestine and the knowledge I have about the Jews is purely from tv and WWII holocaust. I was engrossed in the lives of the young characters and found it very interesting in the lives they have and the lives they want. I won't go into the story line or character analysis (other reviews have covered that 😀)

There were quite a few characters and the storyline jumps between them, then and now so I really pay attention to remember who was who. I liked the loyalty the characters had to country/religion/beliefs, the difference in thinking between the young and old, the modern thinking and the pushing of the boundaries. The linking between Arab and Jew was brilliant as was the depth of each character.

I found it to be a very thought provoking and powerful read.

My favourite line in the book was 'his ambition is not to hunt new treasure, but to polish the rusted jewels he already owns'

Definitely 5 stars

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read a book with a Middle Eastern background for a very long time and this one with its cross culture mix. Jews in England, Jews in Israel, Muslims in Israel and the attitudes of one community towards another in an area of heightened tension like Gaza or Tel Aviv was an interesting read.

Udi wants a new life. Something that he can be comfortable with. He is Jewish to the core but is struggling with life in Israel. He wants to go and work in London. Daniel lives a very comfortable life in London as a banker, he wants to move to Israel much to the horror of his family and his girl friend. Why give a comfortable secure life for the certainties of war and being called up as a reservist at any time.

Both men trying to find their place in the world - both very close to their families but seeking something that they are not very sure what.

This was a complicated novel but it may be a question that a lot of young people face. The restless ones anyway.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book lead me to do more research on, and therefore be more educated about, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and I loved the twist when two of the threads join (which makes me slightly want to go back and reread it through a different perspective), I thought the novel as a whole was incredibly slow and the story itself didn't go anywhere.

[Johanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting - not for the plot really but for the situation and and the characters. I have to say the structure was a little confusing (alternating then/now - which would have been ok if they had felt even vaguely different in time) but I did like the look at the situations that the key characters found themselves in.

[:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely immersed into this novel and the extraordinary lives of the characters. Jemma Wayne has intelligently explored the multiplicity of political perspectives involved in this narrative in a subtle yet influential way. Rarely do I want to read a book again but I had got to know the characters so well that I want to revisit this all over again!

[Diane Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting, thought-provoking.

[Jenna Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

-good comparisons between lives
-interesting elements and themes
-emotionally connecting the the characters

[Chloe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chains of Sand is a work of contemporary and literary fiction that brings the reader to the heart of the fight between Israel and Palestine – Hamas. However, Wayne doesn’t focus solely on the war between rival cultures, religions etc – but on the ways in which this fight affects the lives of Israeli’s living in Israel, and those living elsewhere.

At first I found this novel to be a bit slow of pace as the characters were first introduced and their circumstances developed. There are a lot of passages filled with the mundane and trivial workings of domestic life as family members and loved ones bicker, and the hopes and fears of our characters are questioned by those around them. Eventually I found this novel began to pick up when the first scene between the Israel army and the enemy is brought to the attention of the reader, truly highlighting the underlying theme of this novel.

I love that Wayne focuses on the consequences of this war and how it affects the citizens as opposed to those fighting and losing their lives. Though there is an element of that in regards to Udi, it is not in your face and it is quite easy to forget that he has fought in the war, lost companions, and experienced death and destruction. Instead, Wayne focuses on issues of family, culture, religion, and race throughout the novel showing the similarities and differences between Israeli’s living in Israel (Udi), and those living in Great Britain (Daniel) alongside the racial tension and differences between Muslims and Jews (Kaseem and Dara). Wayne really drives home the point that not all Jews, Muslims etc are a part of this war and that the majority of the citizens living in these war-torn countries want to make a better life for themselves and end the fear that haunts them every time they enter a confined space or a moving vehicle. Similarly, Wayne, through Daniel, also showcases how there are those that want to help with the fight; those that believe that if they don’t do something to help win the war then they are not truly a part of their culture whilst also wanting to alter the stereotypes placed upon them by those not truly conversant in events taking place. It is thought-provoking and, giving events such in the past year with regards to Syria etc, makes you think about the actions of yourself, your culture, your community. It truly brings a greater understanding to a topic that isn’t being given more coverage.

Alongside all the themes, Wayne brings developed and human characters that are flawed and just as confused as any other human being. All of these characters build and grow stronger as events unravel and information is handed to them, justifying their actions and reasonings and solidifying themselves within the narrative, and within their selves. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that all of the characters and their respective narratives are linked subtly and in unique ways that don’t fully emerge until past the halfway point. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel as it helped to show how each character has been affected by the same, yet different, events and how they came to be where they are in the present day.

Wayne does a brilliant job at highlighting and exposing the truth of these events and bringing a greater understanding to those, such as myself, who may not truly understand how the citizens, and those who are and who are not involved, in the war respond to prejudice, racism, segregation and so on. It is a hard-hitting novel in some places which shows the differences between British and Israeli society, Muslim and Jewish culture but I believe that it is an important narrative to be told.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chains of Sand is a great read about family, faith, survival, and love. It follows the story of two young men: Udi a veteran of the Israeli army who longs for a new future in London, and Daniel, a London banker unsatisfied with his life and yearning for something more. The story focuses on their desires to change their lives by moving to different worlds and how this impacts their relationships with friends and family. As the story unfolds, the two protagonists’ histories are slowly uncovered and they both have to overcome the difficulties in their new lives in order to achieve their dreams. Meanwhile, the fate of star-crossed love between a Jewish girl and an Arabic man in Jerusalem a decade earlier intertwines with Daniel’s life, complicating all that he thinks has become clear.

The novel wonderfully gives insight into modern day life in both London and Israel from the perspectives of citizens and immigrants. Chains of Sand centres on Israel: what it’s like to live there for both communities, the allure of living there, as well as the attitudes towards the country in light of government actions. The day-to-day life in Israel portrayed in the book was very thought interesting and insightful. It was more brutal than I expected, particularly in the treatment of women and surprised me in how backwards the society was. Moreover, Jemma Wayne did a fantastic job developing both Udi and Daniel as characters and she was very good in displaying the impact of their decisions to move countries upon their family members.
The consequences of the conflict between Israel and Palestine are especially detailed and the frightening war-zone atmosphere is very well conveyed. I’ve previously studied the conflict and I believe that it is a topic that should be highlighted and deserves more attention. I believe there should be a wide awareness of the conflict and the situation in the Middle East to have any hope of pressurising the two parties involved to find the best solution and lay down their weapons.

However, although Chains of Sand gives a very clear picture of what life is like in Israel and the occupied territories, there was a lack of information on the origins of the conflict and the reasons why the two communities were fighting. As a reader, I would have appreciated some brief but informative descriptions further explaining why the conflict had not been resolved previously and explaining the opinions of both the Arabs and Jewish people. Additionally, I would have liked to read more about the lives of Arabs living under Jewish rule and in the occupied territories as the majority of the book’s perspective was Jewish. This would have added further depth to the story by providing both contrasts and similarities in the two races. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the strong hints regarding the dividing views of Israelis about the on-going conflict and the government’s actions – my only wish was that I would have liked to hear more about the two opposing opinions.

Jemma Wayne’s novel is highly thought provoking and fantastic in delivering the message that it’s never too late to seize the day and embark upon great adventures. The book is incredibly persuasive in making readers want to travel to other countries and experience different cultures – after reading this book my passion of exploring more of world has been reignited and I can’t wait to go! I want to commend Jemma Wayne for writing a great book on a complex controversial subject matter, which is rarely incorporated into fiction.

Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

[Liam Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing to review has always been a concept I have found difficult, as I spent many of my thirty-plus years reading books without being particularly evaluative or critical of them. I knew what I did like, I knew what I didn’t like, but often skimmed along the surface narrative, not really looking to plunge much deeper. ‘Chains of Sand’ by Jemma Wayne is a novel that effectively forces you to confront your own ideas and perceptions of the very real crises between Israel and Palestine, whilst often telling a very engaging narrative. That it doesn’t completely hang together is a shame, but it does provide something compelling enough and thought-provoking enough to make it a worthwhile and interesting read.

At the heart of the novel, outside of the ‘Israel problem’, seems to be a battle between ritual and belief, and that of the existence of these occasionally out-dated concepts within a modern world that sees them through confused eyes. Through the characters that Wayne creates, we get a true sense of their confusion as to how to be themselves in a world that is constantly shifting the goalposts in terms of expectation – what is it to be a good man? Israeli? Jew? These quandaries, seen primarily through the eyes of Udi (a man who desires to leave Israel for the UK) and Daniel (a man seeking to reverse that journey) cause the majority of the tension within the story. As we see the relationships they have with friends and family, and the potential contradictions in beliefs and values, I felt that we do end up wanting what is best for our two de facto main characters, even when their ideologies are so often in conflict.

The structure occasionally felt somewhat gimmicky – the story told across ‘Then’ and ‘Now’, with mixed usage of first and third person to attempt to provide a well-rounded picture from multiple viewpoints. This is somewhat successful; I did worry at times that the story interested me primarily due to a desire to find how the seemingly disparate ideas linked, rather than to see the narrative through to the end. However, the reveal of the link near the end was a reveal that at least made the structure choices more defendable. The changes in person, as well as some of the description, is occasionally clunky and awkward in nature, and doesn’t always benefit the story overall. However, the often short, simple sentences that both Udi and Daniel use to exemplify the desire of both men to fulfill their own perceived destinies.

One other issue I have with the story, which might be exacerbated somewhat by the structure, is the use of some characters seemingly as pure plot points and little more. This is most obvious in Avigail, who I feel never truly gets developed, and seems to be there primarily to allow us to be shocked by what happens to her. Whilst this does help to emphasise the sense of barely suppressed violence that permeates life at times in Israel, it is hard to see it as more than just a way to tug at the heart strings with limited real substance.

As a novel that explores belonging and what makes you the person you grow up to be, it is an unmitigated success. Wayne’s creates interesting characters alongside a narrative that allows us to understand the inherent conflicts between the main parties of thought. That there are a few missteps along the way doesn’t detract a lot from the novel, though does stop it from being considered (in my eyes) an absolute ‘must read’.

[Abovethecliffs · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are lots of really excellent things to say about ‘Chains of Sand’ by Jemma Wayne.

I wrote about it first here - https://medium.com/@JosephSurtees/not....

Conceptually the novel is interesting and for the most part engaging. Israel / Palestine but not through high-level politics. Instead it asks what the conflict means for those on the ground, what it means for Udi and Daniel. The former born in Israel, Jewish, but of an Arabic background, the latter also Jewish but born in North London and yearning for Israel.

It’s a personal look, a nuanced examination of how the ongoing conflict affect both those inside the region but also those viewing it from afar.

The two men provide a nice contrast in viewpoints and lived experiences. Daniel in particular seems to give the writer a good chance to gently prod the idea of how possible it is to understand a complex situation from the outside.

Beyond this, I was impressed by the way in which the novel explored the romantic lives of Udi and Daniel, both young men, making clear that the political background did not define them, although it did play an important role in all their thinking.

So why was ‘Chains of sand’ ultimately disappointing?

The problem in the first place seems one of technique. The writing is too often flat, dull, the style not living up to the substance of the storyline. For example, early in the novel when Daniel moves over to Israel he’s scared of guns, bombs and ultimately of feeling like a stranger in a place he wants to feel at home. You’d expect the writing here to set a tone of edgy uncertainty, of never quite knowing where you are. Think ‘A bad day at Black Rock’. Instead it felt more like Wayne was describing a child’s first day at school, a little worrisome but ultimately no big deal. She seems almost disinterested.

There was disappointment too in the characterisation beyond the two protagonists. Too often you find yourself wondering where a character has come from, why they are here and what their purpose is. Too often they seem to appear to make a single polemical point then disappear. The additional characters were also too undifferentiated internally, unlike Udi and Daniel they seem to not have separate internal rhythms and thought-patterns.

Finally, there is a structural issue with the novel. Sections of the novel are told in flashback. But these flashback sections are clumsy, clunky, they don’t fit seamlessly into the main plot, they jar the reader out the flow and then fail to adequate show their relevance to the main storyline. Personally I would have preferred either fewer flashbacks or more focussed flashbacks that looked less at minutiae and more at the substance of the central character’s views.

Many people, particularly those very interested in the subject matter, will enjoy ‘Chain of sands’. And for the casual reader it has much to recommend it. It is certainly not a bad novel. But it could have been much more.

[Elite Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hava Nagila - Let Us Rejoice

My heart sank and I was far from rejoicing when I began this book because I thought it was a political novel which is not a genre I relish. And, indeed, this IS a political book about the Israeli/Palestinian crisis. But it has what many of its peers lack and that is humanity. And that I do rejoice in.

In a nutshell an Israeli boy wants to go live and work in London, a London boy wants to go live and work in Israel and an Israeli girl falls in love with a Muslim man. This novel is their story told against the backdrop of nations locked in an intractable conflict.

It is a story that has the courage to raise many questions. As might be expected issues of race, anti-Semitism, cultures colliding, families festering from various perspectives are explored here in an accessible way through fiction rather than cold, hard facts. But that seldom takes us far from the truths that are not buried in this novel, they are right there, on the surface, for the taking.

I’ve always found it a fascinating paradox - race versus religion. You can be born a Jew racially but practice no aspects of the Jewish religion. People can convert to Judaism but does that make them Jewish? Forgive me, I am digressing from the matter in hand. This book celebrates the traditions and rituals of Judaism whether in London or Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

The characters are engaging. You suffer their conflicts alongside them, struggling to understand whether their decisions are the right ones, feeling for their families opposing some of these decisions. It is interesting to speculate on what it is to daily live in a war zone, maybe interesting is an inappropriate word. I only have my parents’ accounts of day to day life in WW2, where a regular, mundane life has to be lived alongside potential life changing events unfolding through conflict. And I think the sense of that is achieved very well here by this exciting, young writer. You care about the characters and their families and its almost subliminal. There are no obvious plot structures to achieve that end, you just realise that these people matter to you very much.

And as the novel progress towards its conclusion you start to wonder how the three strands of this story will link but they do, most effectively, and one of them was quite unexpected for me. I didn’t see it coming at all.

So, do I have a bad word to say about this book? No, I don’t think I do. So why four stars not five you might be asking? And I’m not sure!! I was impressed with the book but I’m a great believer in going with gut instinct and my gut instinct says four stars. I guess you could go read it and decide whether I have been stingy with my stars.? Shalom.

Whizz

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Udi fought in the army for several years and is now looking for a good job. He dreams about leaving Israel and wants to start over in England. He thinks he'll find happiness there. There's one obstacle though, he has a girlfriend, Ella, who doesn't want to move. Will their love be strong enough to survive this?

Daniel is a Jewish investment banker. He doesn't feel complete in England and wants to move to Israel. He thinks he'll be able to find what he misses there. There's also a woman he likes very much and maybe Israel is even more attractive because of her. Is it wise to move to a country that's at war with a possibility of having to fight in the army?

Several years before Udi and Daniel want to leave their countries the Jewish Dara meets the Arabic Kaseem. They fall in love and don't care what people think about them. Will they have a happy ending?

Can you ever leave your past completely behind to start a new future?

Chains of Sand is an impressive book. There are several distinctive points of view and at first I didn't know what the connection was between the stories, which made me curious from the start. Eventually Jemma Wayne links them in a fantastic way. Her beautiful writing made me love the story straight away. It was amazing to read such a sensitive and sympathetic story about love, war and suffering. Love is the most precious thing there is and it's more important than anything else in the world. Love can break and destruct, but it can also heal and it can give inspiration and new chances.

Two countries are playing an important role in this story. It was informative to see them through Jemma Wayne's eyes. She writes vividly and I could easily picture the various settings and scenes. I especially liked how she approaches the same situation from several different angles, which gave me a lot of food for thought.

Udi is a soldier who isn't able to find a good job after leaving the army. He's only sure about one thing in his life and that is his love for Ella. Daniel has had several relationships that didn't work out, but he thinks Israel will make him whole. They don't let others decide for them and follow their heart. I think Jemma Wayne has described that in a terrific manner. This book surprised me in so many ways and all of them were good. I love it when a story isn't what I expected it to be and this story is certainly unique. The main characters are real and approachable. I love how that complements the complexity of the story. Chains of Sand is special and it's a novel that will stay with me for a very long time.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.

This book was pretty interesting, a literary fiction piece that shows the difference between London and Gaza, and the different lives that their inhabitants have. As if jumping from London to Gaza isn’t confusing enough, it also jumps backwards and forwards through time, but don’t let that put you off – it’s well-worth reading, even if it does leave you feeling like you need to re-read it to appreciate what actually happens.

And it really isn’t an easy read – it felt like it was taking me longer to read than it should do, although I did still blitz through it over a weekend. But that’s because there are so many layers to it, and you sometimes need to stop and think, because it’s the type of book that makes you do that.

As for the story line, it mainly focuses on two characters. First up, we have Udi, a 26-year-old Veteran of the Israeli army. Udi is the same age as I am and he’s already killed five men, and he wants to start a new life on London. Then there’s Daniel, a 29-year-old Londoner. Daniel is a Jewish investment banker who seems to have everything, but who still wants something more – in this case, he wants to move to Israel. Oh, and his family thinks that he’s crazy.

If you wanted to categorise this, you’d call it a piece of literary fiction. It’s more than that, though – it’s a strong exploration of the world that we live in, and one which makes you think. It’s rare for a contemporary book to do that – these days, in a culture which prefers instant gratification, it’s unusual for someone to take such an evocative approach to showing where things are wrong, and where we should fix it. It makes you think.

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chains of Sand by Jemma Wayne is a novel about the recent Gaza War. Ms. Wayne was shortlisted for The Guardian’s 2016 Not the Booker Prize.

Udi is a 26 year old Israeli man of Iraqi origin. Even though he served in the IDF, Udi is frequently treated as an unwanted entity in Israeli society by those who don’t know him.

Daniel, a London banker in his late 20s feels a strong connection to Israel. Despite his family’s pleads and fears, Daniel plans to leave London and create a life in Israel.

Dara, a young Jewish teenager falls in love with Kaseem, a Muslim living in Jerusalem. Both Dara and Kaseem love art and understand each other’s desire to create.

Chains of Sand by Jemma Wayne tells of the recent Gaza War with a bunch of loosely connected stories. Ms. Wayne concentrated on the families of Israelis and Palestinians affected by the conflict from near or far.

The common denominator for all those characters is the feeling of displacement and disconnect. They are disillusioned with their lives and want something more meaningful from life than what their lives currently are.

The author writes about the challenges of living in the region for both Jews and Arabs, especially for young people who struggle with identity and family. Most people in their 20s, who are starting to discover individuality and how to balance their wants against the families’ wishes struggle with their decisions. On top of that, add the daily pressure of living in a political pressure plate.

The author does not shy away from the emotional price one has to pay living in a war zone. The narrative is beautiful, easy to read and understand despite the complexity of the issues.

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as fascinating and frustrating as the Israeli politics that affect its characters. Sam Jordison's review for The Guardian's Not the Booker outlines why quite fairly, I think (https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...), though I can't agree with the comment about the male characters' thoughts being realised in an in-authentic way.

In fact, I thought this was something Wayne did really well. Trying to reach an understanding of why somebody would physically fight for something without machismo, but with an entire array of emotions and motivations behind it, was one of the most successful parts of the book. Udi and Daniel do dwell on what their love interests might be thinking, but only in so far as it impacts on them and their plans, which sounds like most men/people I know!

Considering how many reviewers have praised the writing, I was surprised to find some of the dialogue a bit stagey. But there is a lot of good stuff too - the deeply disturbing unfolding of events on the bus is a brilliantly executed scene.

There are a LOT of characters, though as somebody else mentioned I wondered if the disjointed and confusing feeling you get from the constantly changing viewpoints is deliberate; a way of reflecting the bombardment of opinions the characters experience.

Overall, I thought this was a solid novel with a lot of interesting ideas. Maybe if Wayne had concentrated on one of the stories within the mix, and let the characters within it breath a bit more, it could have been improved. I still gave it 8/10.

[Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chains of Sand is a remarkable and brave book. It tells the stories of two young Jewish men, Udi a 26 year old army veteran with horrific memories of fighting in Gaza, who feels his dark Iraqi skin holds him back and wants to leave Israel and join his British cousins in London, and Daniel, a successful but bored banker, who after a holiday in Israel where he meets and falls in love with Orli, an enigmatic and talented young artist, decides to move there permanently. The narrative of these men and their families and friends who try to dissuade them are told in 'Now' sequences. The story of forbidden love between the beautiful teenage Dara from West Jerusalem and Kaseem from Palestinian East Jerusalem is told as 'Then'.

Some shocking events take place all of which struck me as being believable: Udi's memories of serving in the army; his sister, Avigail's, refusal to conform to the unfairness of government policy and increasing religious influence suffers a dreadful assault; Dara's innocent eyes are opened by the life she sees every time she visits Kaseem in East Jerusalem and by the end no holds are barred.

Chains of Sand is beautifully written and I am surprised that there has been hardly any media coverage of it. I only discovered the novel through the Guardian's #NotTheBooker Prize shortlist. It deserves to win prizes and I hope it is a word-of-mouth success. Thank you to Legend Press (one of my favourite publishers for putting their head above the parapet) and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review it. I wish Jemma Wayne every success for the future.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chains Of Sand is a story set between London and Israel and has alternating chapters between NOW and THEN.

To be honest this book took me quite a while to fully get into it. The alternating chapters for me would have been better to also mention which character’s past or present it was to do with, as with some chapters it took me awhile to realise it was a different character to the one I had read about in the previous chapter.

I have always been fascinated with the way of life in countries like Israel and the author does bring to attention how things are there. For many it is a life full of tension, families frightened every time their loved ones go out the door and I could easily understand the fraught relationships between some of the characters.

There are different threads throughout the story that all weave into each other which I liked as at times I wasn’t quite sure where the story was going with different characters but by the end it all becomes very clear.

Chains Of Sand is certainly an interesting novel that reminds us of the atrocities that still go on throughout the world today. It shows us how people are affected by it in their everyday lives and their relationships with others. Overall a decent read.

Many thanks to Lucy from Legend Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere in the universe there is a utopian place where people are equal and friendly to one another regardless of religion. Meanwhile on earth we have many divisions and conflicts within ourselves, families and amongst religion. Jemma Wayne uses Israel as a place which is seen as a utopian place for many British Jews but has conflict and induces conflicting emotions amongst Jews and non Jews alike. Using different characters from British ones to Israeli ones she explores attitudes towards Israel whilst people go around there day to day lives.
A successful London banker is missing something in his life starts thinking about making aaliyah. The life of an ex IDF soldier and conflicts within his family , being refused entry to a nightclub due to the colour of his skin ( his father is Iraqi). A tortured Israeli artist. We look at these people , their struggles and the conflicts within their own set ups and outside of this. A conflict such as Gaza where Israel are seen as the bullies yet Hamas use children to hide weapons behind.
Sometimes in a conflict it is not about taking sides but somehow wishing that love will overpower an ancient hatred which should have no basis in modern society.

Incredibly moving and thought provoking book.