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حكاية تالا
حياة وموت. نصر وهزيمة. أمل ويأس.
في «حكاية تالا»، يحاول هنري، وهو كاتب مشهور من نيويورك، أن يتكيّف مع موت والدته الفجائيّ وفشل روايته الأخيرة. حياته، التي لطالما كُلّلت بالنجاحات، انهارت فجأة.
يقرّر السفر إلى أمستردام حيث ينغمس في الملذّات والمثالب الدنيوية. لكنّ أمستردام لا تكفيه. يريد المزيد، فيحزم حقائبه ويتّجه إلى سلوفينيا.
هناك يقابل تالا، فتاة هوى فائقة الجمال لكن كائدة مثيرة. هي لاجئة فلسطينيّة، تصيب من هنري مقتلاً بحكايتها المأساويّة، وبسلسلة خساراتها المتتالية ومعاناتها: رحلتها المحفوفة بالمخاطر بين تركيا واليونان، وبحثها اليائس عن زوجها بلال، وسقوطها ضحيّة شبكة اتّجار بالبشر.
تسلبه تالا فؤاده فيعدها بالبحث عن زوجها المفقود، لا بل يعاهد نفسه على حماية معشوقته ومصدر إلهامه، من مآسي الحياة. ولكن، إلى أيّ حدّ قد يذهب هنري ليحتفظ بتالا؟ وليحتفظ بها له وحده؟
ثلاث شخصيّات. ثلاثة مسارات. حكاية واحدة.
في الميزان أكاذيب وحقيقة، اغتيال وأمان، حرب وصراع مقابل السلام.
عندما يخسر من اعتاد الربح طويلاً كلّ ما يملك، هل يتحوّل إلى ضحيّة أم إلى جلّاد؟
في «حكاية تالا»، يحاول هنري، وهو كاتب مشهور من نيويورك، أن يتكيّف مع موت والدته الفجائيّ وفشل روايته الأخيرة. حياته، التي لطالما كُلّلت بالنجاحات، انهارت فجأة.
يقرّر السفر إلى أمستردام حيث ينغمس في الملذّات والمثالب الدنيوية. لكنّ أمستردام لا تكفيه. يريد المزيد، فيحزم حقائبه ويتّجه إلى سلوفينيا.
هناك يقابل تالا، فتاة هوى فائقة الجمال لكن كائدة مثيرة. هي لاجئة فلسطينيّة، تصيب من هنري مقتلاً بحكايتها المأساويّة، وبسلسلة خساراتها المتتالية ومعاناتها: رحلتها المحفوفة بالمخاطر بين تركيا واليونان، وبحثها اليائس عن زوجها بلال، وسقوطها ضحيّة شبكة اتّجار بالبشر.
تسلبه تالا فؤاده فيعدها بالبحث عن زوجها المفقود، لا بل يعاهد نفسه على حماية معشوقته ومصدر إلهامه، من مآسي الحياة. ولكن، إلى أيّ حدّ قد يذهب هنري ليحتفظ بتالا؟ وليحتفظ بها له وحده؟
ثلاث شخصيّات. ثلاثة مسارات. حكاية واحدة.
في الميزان أكاذيب وحقيقة، اغتيال وأمان، حرب وصراع مقابل السلام.
عندما يخسر من اعتاد الربح طويلاً كلّ ما يملك، هل يتحوّل إلى ضحيّة أم إلى جلّاد؟
- GenresFiction
296 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
About the author
Chaker Khazaal
5 books53 followersChaker Khazaal, born in Lebanon in 1987, is a Palestinian-Canadian reporter, speaker, and author. Escaping a refugee camp, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada. In 2009 he graduated from York University with a BA. Focusing on International Affairs, Khazaal became an advocate for refugees and young writers, giving those with no voice a say. An engaging communicator, he is a sought after speaker at global events.
Named Esquire’s Middle East Man of the Year 2015 and 2016, he was ranked 1st by Arabian Business Magazine in the 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40 and presented with the Mentor Arabia Award the same year. In 2017 he was awarded the prestigious Global Trailblazer by NGO Bridges of Understanding. His acclaimed trilogy Confessions of a War Child, Lia, and Sahara, was followed by the anticipated release of Tale of Tala.
With the COVID-19 global lockdown, Chaker launched the Candle of Hope app to ignite a universal flame through a digital candle. The platform continues to spread hope globally as the world counts lit candles, not pandemic statistics. Witnessing the blast at the port of Beirut, Khazaal penned his 5th novel OUCH! a memoir with a twist in 17 days. An intense journey of pain and psychological conflict, the release date is October 17, 2020.
Named Esquire’s Middle East Man of the Year 2015 and 2016, he was ranked 1st by Arabian Business Magazine in the 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40 and presented with the Mentor Arabia Award the same year. In 2017 he was awarded the prestigious Global Trailblazer by NGO Bridges of Understanding. His acclaimed trilogy Confessions of a War Child, Lia, and Sahara, was followed by the anticipated release of Tale of Tala.
With the COVID-19 global lockdown, Chaker launched the Candle of Hope app to ignite a universal flame through a digital candle. The platform continues to spread hope globally as the world counts lit candles, not pandemic statistics. Witnessing the blast at the port of Beirut, Khazaal penned his 5th novel OUCH! a memoir with a twist in 17 days. An intense journey of pain and psychological conflict, the release date is October 17, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 27, 2019
رواية مُلفتة تعج بمآسي اللاجئين المخلوطة بالحيلة والاحتيال التي تتقاطع من انتهازية وجشع الروائي بطل الرواية.
لغة الكاتب ممتازة وقريبة من الأذهان.
لغة الكاتب ممتازة وقريبة من الأذهان.
January 2, 2018
I never thought I'd like this type, but I must admit that Tale of Tala is one of the best books I have ever read.
September 21, 2019
1.5 Stars
This book....I don’t even know where to start. This book was genuinely one of the worst books I’ve ever read. I have no clue how the reviews on here are raving about it
The one good thing I actually liked was how it really opened my eyes about what refugees have to go through in this world for a better life. That’s the best takeaway from the books and something the author portrays well. But the positives end there.
Henry is the worst character in existence. He’s selfish, cruel, arrogant and all around a major asshole. The way he treated women before meeting Tala is appalling, and the way Chakeer DESCRIBES women and Henry being turned on is gag-worthy. “[she looked like] a young boy’s masturbatory dream”........this is why men shouldn’t be allowed to write about women. And that’s just one example out of many. The amount of times he would use “loins” is DISGUSTING
Moving on to Henry’s self delusions of himself. He keeps going on and on about how he’s a “winner.” Like actually if you read the beginning and end of EVERY chapter you will see the mention of him being a winner. Do it. I’m not even kidding.
The fact is, Henry ISNT a winner. He was born to a rich father, and the only reason he was able to get published and grew popular from it is because he had his father’s contacts to help him. All Henry is a privileged white asshole who is used to getting what he wants, to which he thinks he actually EARNED those things.
His hyperfixation with Tala was weird too. Because other than the fact that she’s tenacious, Tala doesn’t have much of a personality. All Henry focuses on is how sexy he is. The sexualisation of Tala is disgusting and Henry fell in love with her in 3 seconds. There was no build up to it. And how Tala fell “in love” with him too is unrealistic.
And the ENDING like??? what the hell was that epilogue?? Tala and Henry are apparently married and have kids but there’s no explanation whatsoever? Like it was made obvious Tala wasn’t in love with Henry, so what the hell is she doing with him? Like this book was so WHDJSJQJSHDHS. I was frustrated the majority of the book and wanted to rip the book in half
This book....I don’t even know where to start. This book was genuinely one of the worst books I’ve ever read. I have no clue how the reviews on here are raving about it
The one good thing I actually liked was how it really opened my eyes about what refugees have to go through in this world for a better life. That’s the best takeaway from the books and something the author portrays well. But the positives end there.
Henry is the worst character in existence. He’s selfish, cruel, arrogant and all around a major asshole. The way he treated women before meeting Tala is appalling, and the way Chakeer DESCRIBES women and Henry being turned on is gag-worthy. “[she looked like] a young boy’s masturbatory dream”........this is why men shouldn’t be allowed to write about women. And that’s just one example out of many. The amount of times he would use “loins” is DISGUSTING
Moving on to Henry’s self delusions of himself. He keeps going on and on about how he’s a “winner.” Like actually if you read the beginning and end of EVERY chapter you will see the mention of him being a winner. Do it. I’m not even kidding.
The fact is, Henry ISNT a winner. He was born to a rich father, and the only reason he was able to get published and grew popular from it is because he had his father’s contacts to help him. All Henry is a privileged white asshole who is used to getting what he wants, to which he thinks he actually EARNED those things.
His hyperfixation with Tala was weird too. Because other than the fact that she’s tenacious, Tala doesn’t have much of a personality. All Henry focuses on is how sexy he is. The sexualisation of Tala is disgusting and Henry fell in love with her in 3 seconds. There was no build up to it. And how Tala fell “in love” with him too is unrealistic.
And the ENDING like??? what the hell was that epilogue?? Tala and Henry are apparently married and have kids but there’s no explanation whatsoever? Like it was made obvious Tala wasn’t in love with Henry, so what the hell is she doing with him? Like this book was so WHDJSJQJSHDHS. I was frustrated the majority of the book and wanted to rip the book in half
July 3, 2018
I was lucky enough to meet Chakar Khazaal, the author himself, and attend a reading of his book, Tale of Tala.
From the first word, I was total hooked and I knew I had to read it. Based on a true story, I was so curious about Tala, the Palestinian refugee who turned to prostitution for survival.
By fate, she encounters Henry, a once successful writer, who has hit rock bottom after a failed book and the death of his mother.
Tala has become his muse and he was captivated with her story just like I was captivated with Chakar’s style of writing and storytelling.
A tear-jerking, overwhelming and a page-turner, I immensely enjoyed reading this one and would definitely recommend it to all those who love a realistic story filled with many twists and heartbreaking moments.
From the first word, I was total hooked and I knew I had to read it. Based on a true story, I was so curious about Tala, the Palestinian refugee who turned to prostitution for survival.
By fate, she encounters Henry, a once successful writer, who has hit rock bottom after a failed book and the death of his mother.
Tala has become his muse and he was captivated with her story just like I was captivated with Chakar’s style of writing and storytelling.
A tear-jerking, overwhelming and a page-turner, I immensely enjoyed reading this one and would definitely recommend it to all those who love a realistic story filled with many twists and heartbreaking moments.
November 30, 2017
Yes 5 stars! Reading “Tale of Tala” was like staring at a bunch of elements, combined together, having electricity within them that made an image! The way Chaker Khazaal described each and every detail throughout the story was marvelous. “Tale of Tala” is one of the few books that was able to manipulate my feelings. The ending, SPEECHLESS. In these few days while reading this book, I passed through the most fascinating, breathtaking and wonderful experience. Thank you Chaker Khazaal!
September 19, 2019
http://www.mytwostotinki.com/?p=7219
Tale of Tala is a novel by the young Palestinian-Canadian author and journalist Chaker Khazaal. The book tells the story of three people. Henry, the narrator of the story, is a successful American novelist from a very wealthy family; Fatima – who reinvents herself later as Tala – is a young Palestinian woman from a refugee camp in Lebanon; and her husband Bilal, her childhood friend from the same camp.
Henry, who some time ago has had his first failure as a writer, was brought up according to the values of his businessman-father: you have to be a winner, and of course Henry is supposed to be a winner! His first unsuccessful novel and the public and critical reaction to it is therefore perceived by him to be a shattering defeat. Still under shock, he travels to Amsterdam and later to Ljubljana to distance himself from his life as a writer and media person and to indulge in to him new experiences, a life of drugs and sexual encounters with prostitutes, usually procured with the help of some sleazy hotel managers. But everything changes when he meets the gorgeous Tala, a prostitute of Palestinian origin.
Henry develops a strong infatuation with this woman, who tells him reluctantly her life story. A story that leads her and her later husband Bilal from a refugee camp in Lebanon to Turkey. They fall in the hands of criminals who separate them, with Bilal disappearing somewhere in Anatolia – he has been tricked to cross the border to Syria as it later turns out – and Tala hardly surviving an ordeal that finds her finally forced into prostitution. Henry, who is not only infatuated with Tala, but also hooked to her story which he plans to develop into a new book, a book that will be of course a success again, offers to help Tala to find Bilal. But his offer is motivated mainly by strong self-interest. He travels to Anatolia to find out what happened to Bilal and if he is still alive…what follows is a story full of action and deception.
The book touches on many interesting and important topics that are frequently not highlighted by the media, especially the hopeless situation of the stateless Palestinians in Lebanon. They vegetate there already in the third of fourth generation in refugee camps without ever having a chance of finding work and a normal life. The exploitation of the refugees from Syria and other countries by human traffickers, organ harvesters, and pimps, and the indifference or even hostility of the Western world is also a theme of the novel. The book has his strongest scenes when the author describes Tala’s and Bilial’s lives in the camp in which they grow up, and the ordeal Tala and two other girls have to go through during their attempt to reach Europe, with two of them (probably) dead and Tala forced into prostitution and separated from her husband. The author grew up in a similar refugee camp. He has extensively reported about the refugees and interviewed many of them, and it shows; these parts of the novel are much stronger than the description of Henry and everything he does and says.
With Henry I had several problems. First of all, I didn’t like him. Not a single bit. He is manipulative, has an inflated ego, and thinks of himself as a great writer, and a winner. I am mentioning this again because as readers, we are again and again reminded - in every chapter several times -, that he, Henry, is born to be a winner. If it suits him, he lies, deceives and even gets people that are in his way killed – and why? Just to satisfy his ego and his lusts. And to have another success as a writer.
The other problem with him, apart from being a self-righteous prig without any moral is that as a character in a novel, he is completely implausible. He discovers his talent for writing in his youth just like that, writes a masterful story (or what he thinks is masterful), but gives up writing immediately without sign of rebellion when his father tells him not to write but to become a businessman; then the father dies in an airplane crash, and wham!, Henry starts to write again and his novel is of course a success and bestseller. And so it goes novel after novel, he is just a great, successful writer with a lot of money, although the text we are reading (and which is authored by Henry) is frequently poorly written and full of clichés, very much in the unbearable self-congratulatory pseudo-philosophical style of a Paolo Coelho. The numerous clumsily written sex scenes make the book unfortunately a candidate for the Bad Sex in Literature Award. And the over-simplistic winner ideology of Henry is hammered way too frequently in us readers in sentences such as:
“For a man born a winner like me, every winding path is presumed to victory. For a loser, roads are often blocked by their despair; decisions are frightening things. For those who live between those two routes, doubt and uncertainty are roadblocks to overcome.”
Sigh. Henry is a prig and the author reminds the reader on almost every page of this fact. I was glad when I had finally finished this book.
I could see that the author is not without talent when he feels comfortable with his material; but as a novel the book is a complete failure in my opinion.
Tale of Tala is a novel by the young Palestinian-Canadian author and journalist Chaker Khazaal. The book tells the story of three people. Henry, the narrator of the story, is a successful American novelist from a very wealthy family; Fatima – who reinvents herself later as Tala – is a young Palestinian woman from a refugee camp in Lebanon; and her husband Bilal, her childhood friend from the same camp.
Henry, who some time ago has had his first failure as a writer, was brought up according to the values of his businessman-father: you have to be a winner, and of course Henry is supposed to be a winner! His first unsuccessful novel and the public and critical reaction to it is therefore perceived by him to be a shattering defeat. Still under shock, he travels to Amsterdam and later to Ljubljana to distance himself from his life as a writer and media person and to indulge in to him new experiences, a life of drugs and sexual encounters with prostitutes, usually procured with the help of some sleazy hotel managers. But everything changes when he meets the gorgeous Tala, a prostitute of Palestinian origin.
Henry develops a strong infatuation with this woman, who tells him reluctantly her life story. A story that leads her and her later husband Bilal from a refugee camp in Lebanon to Turkey. They fall in the hands of criminals who separate them, with Bilal disappearing somewhere in Anatolia – he has been tricked to cross the border to Syria as it later turns out – and Tala hardly surviving an ordeal that finds her finally forced into prostitution. Henry, who is not only infatuated with Tala, but also hooked to her story which he plans to develop into a new book, a book that will be of course a success again, offers to help Tala to find Bilal. But his offer is motivated mainly by strong self-interest. He travels to Anatolia to find out what happened to Bilal and if he is still alive…what follows is a story full of action and deception.
The book touches on many interesting and important topics that are frequently not highlighted by the media, especially the hopeless situation of the stateless Palestinians in Lebanon. They vegetate there already in the third of fourth generation in refugee camps without ever having a chance of finding work and a normal life. The exploitation of the refugees from Syria and other countries by human traffickers, organ harvesters, and pimps, and the indifference or even hostility of the Western world is also a theme of the novel. The book has his strongest scenes when the author describes Tala’s and Bilial’s lives in the camp in which they grow up, and the ordeal Tala and two other girls have to go through during their attempt to reach Europe, with two of them (probably) dead and Tala forced into prostitution and separated from her husband. The author grew up in a similar refugee camp. He has extensively reported about the refugees and interviewed many of them, and it shows; these parts of the novel are much stronger than the description of Henry and everything he does and says.
With Henry I had several problems. First of all, I didn’t like him. Not a single bit. He is manipulative, has an inflated ego, and thinks of himself as a great writer, and a winner. I am mentioning this again because as readers, we are again and again reminded - in every chapter several times -, that he, Henry, is born to be a winner. If it suits him, he lies, deceives and even gets people that are in his way killed – and why? Just to satisfy his ego and his lusts. And to have another success as a writer.
The other problem with him, apart from being a self-righteous prig without any moral is that as a character in a novel, he is completely implausible. He discovers his talent for writing in his youth just like that, writes a masterful story (or what he thinks is masterful), but gives up writing immediately without sign of rebellion when his father tells him not to write but to become a businessman; then the father dies in an airplane crash, and wham!, Henry starts to write again and his novel is of course a success and bestseller. And so it goes novel after novel, he is just a great, successful writer with a lot of money, although the text we are reading (and which is authored by Henry) is frequently poorly written and full of clichés, very much in the unbearable self-congratulatory pseudo-philosophical style of a Paolo Coelho. The numerous clumsily written sex scenes make the book unfortunately a candidate for the Bad Sex in Literature Award. And the over-simplistic winner ideology of Henry is hammered way too frequently in us readers in sentences such as:
“For a man born a winner like me, every winding path is presumed to victory. For a loser, roads are often blocked by their despair; decisions are frightening things. For those who live between those two routes, doubt and uncertainty are roadblocks to overcome.”
Sigh. Henry is a prig and the author reminds the reader on almost every page of this fact. I was glad when I had finally finished this book.
I could see that the author is not without talent when he feels comfortable with his material; but as a novel the book is a complete failure in my opinion.
April 5, 2019
حبست الرواية أنفاسي حتى الجزء الثالث في الفصل التاسع او الاخير وهذا يحسب للمؤلف
الثلاث صفحات الاخيرة خيبت أملي او لنقل انني لم أتوقعها مطلقا
لا ينتصر الحب كما وضعه الكاتب في هذه الصفحات الثلاث، في واقع الحياة، نحن بشر ولسنا ملائكة، ما وصفه الكاتب بانتصار الحب خيال بحت
*********************
موضوع الرواية كان معذبا، واقع مرير
*********************
شكرا شاكر خزعل
الثلاث صفحات الاخيرة خيبت أملي او لنقل انني لم أتوقعها مطلقا
لا ينتصر الحب كما وضعه الكاتب في هذه الصفحات الثلاث، في واقع الحياة، نحن بشر ولسنا ملائكة، ما وصفه الكاتب بانتصار الحب خيال بحت
*********************
موضوع الرواية كان معذبا، واقع مرير
*********************
شكرا شاكر خزعل
August 14, 2019
ثمة مرحلة في الحياة لا نخشى أن نخسر بعدها شيئا . فيها نختبر حرية خطيرة في العيش ؛ نصبح أحرارا في القيام بأي شيء . نخسر أي مفهوم للقيود ؛ نكتسب جرأة ملحوظة ونصبح جاهزين لشتى ما قد تفاجئنا فيه الحياة .. 💙💙
May 24, 2020
آخر مرة تعلّقت بكتاب لهذه الدرجة كانت عند قراءة مستر مارسيديس. مذهل اسلوب الكتابة! ابقاني متعلّقة به حتى آخر كلمة من آخر صفحة.
April 22, 2020
🇺🇸 Well this was one hell of a ride that gripped me from beginning to end... an end that kept my mind reeling: Did this really happen? What did I miss? Was it all real? Or did the writer trick us along the way?
Through the Tale of Tala, the author exposes the harsh living conditions of Palestinian refugees in camps, Tala being one of them.
My heart ached for this girl who worked hard, but in vain, to earn her family’s love. And when she found real love, her parents took it away from her.
Life was not easy on her or on her lover, Bilal, so they decided to fight for their love, no matter what path they follow.
Unexpected obstacles awaited them, and they just had to do things to survive, things that no one is to endure!
Fate put on Tala’s path a famous American author, Henry, who had stopped writing for a while. Tala becomes his muse, his next bestseller being based on her life story.
I loved this idea of a story within a story, going back and forth between Tala’s past story and linking it to her present with the author.
The first part of the book was so dark and real, and even if the second part of the book didn’t seem realistic, this did not deter me from staying hooked and wanting to know where the author was taking us.
Twists and turns kept coming our way, especially at the end!
☞︎This book is a fast-paced page turner, but deep down it tackles many important topics like the 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝗼𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧 𝗼𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐡𝐮𝗺𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝗼𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧, 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝗼𝐫𝐢𝐬𝗺 and 𝐜𝗼𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧. And the power of Money!
The author keeps emphasizing that with 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦, almost everything can be solved and every target reached.
I don’t necessarily agree with that, but again, living in extremely cruel conditions shapes the human being differently and leaves a permanent scar that affects the way of perceiving things in life.
🇱🇧 The Tale of Tala took me back to my country, Lebanon, and reminded me a bit of the dark days of war that I don’t like remembering but that will always be buried within me.
🇫🇷 une lecture qui adopte le ton d’un thriller mais qui au fond parle de la situation des réfugiés palestiniens dans les camps et de leurs conditions de vie inhumaine; A travers l’histoire de Tala, une réfugiée palestinienne, l’auteur nous parle des conditions dures qu’elle a endurées depuis sa jeunesse jusqu’après son mariage ... et lorsqu’elle se retrouve seule en Turquie elle rencontre un auteur américain et devient sa muse.
Une histoire dans l’histoire, et des sujets importants tels la prostitution, le traffic d’organes, le terrorisme et la corruption sont au rendez-vous. Une belle découverte que cet auteur!
Through the Tale of Tala, the author exposes the harsh living conditions of Palestinian refugees in camps, Tala being one of them.
My heart ached for this girl who worked hard, but in vain, to earn her family’s love. And when she found real love, her parents took it away from her.
Life was not easy on her or on her lover, Bilal, so they decided to fight for their love, no matter what path they follow.
Unexpected obstacles awaited them, and they just had to do things to survive, things that no one is to endure!
Fate put on Tala’s path a famous American author, Henry, who had stopped writing for a while. Tala becomes his muse, his next bestseller being based on her life story.
I loved this idea of a story within a story, going back and forth between Tala’s past story and linking it to her present with the author.
The first part of the book was so dark and real, and even if the second part of the book didn’t seem realistic, this did not deter me from staying hooked and wanting to know where the author was taking us.
Twists and turns kept coming our way, especially at the end!
☞︎This book is a fast-paced page turner, but deep down it tackles many important topics like the 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝗼𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧 𝗼𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐡𝐮𝗺𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝗼𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧, 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝗼𝐫𝐢𝐬𝗺 and 𝐜𝗼𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧. And the power of Money!
The author keeps emphasizing that with 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦, almost everything can be solved and every target reached.
I don’t necessarily agree with that, but again, living in extremely cruel conditions shapes the human being differently and leaves a permanent scar that affects the way of perceiving things in life.
🇱🇧 The Tale of Tala took me back to my country, Lebanon, and reminded me a bit of the dark days of war that I don’t like remembering but that will always be buried within me.
🇫🇷 une lecture qui adopte le ton d’un thriller mais qui au fond parle de la situation des réfugiés palestiniens dans les camps et de leurs conditions de vie inhumaine; A travers l’histoire de Tala, une réfugiée palestinienne, l’auteur nous parle des conditions dures qu’elle a endurées depuis sa jeunesse jusqu’après son mariage ... et lorsqu’elle se retrouve seule en Turquie elle rencontre un auteur américain et devient sa muse.
Une histoire dans l’histoire, et des sujets importants tels la prostitution, le traffic d’organes, le terrorisme et la corruption sont au rendez-vous. Une belle découverte que cet auteur!
March 2, 2018
Authentic and Eye-Opening Story About a Refugee
A bestseller New York writer, Henry was born into an influential and affluent family. Born a winner, he always excelled at school and went to college at Columbia University. His father determined what career he had to pursue and who he had to date. After his father dies, he is able to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. Henry, indeed, becomes a successful writer. However, his latest book is a fiasco. In addition, his mother dies. Unable to deal with these situations, he embarks on a journey of debauchery in Europe. He takes on drugs, alcohol, and rough sex. He particularly enjoys being sadistic with the prostitutes he hires. Everything changes when he meets Tala, a gorgeous and deceiving Palestinian prostitute who used to live in Lebanon as a refugee. Tala’s amazing and harsh story of survival inspires Henry. He falls in love with her. Problem is he is determined to do whatever is necessary to win her heart.
Chaker Khazaal is a recognized Palestinian-Canadian writer and reporter for his work on the Middle East and the refugee crisis. In Tale of Tala, Khazaal discusses the significant subjects of the refugee crisis, displacement, the war in the Middle East, human trafficking, and prostitution. Unquestionably, this is an eye-opening story about how human beings survive these contemporary evils. His writing is simply brilliant and astonishing.
My favorite element of the book was how the characters represent the human condition during perilous times. Khazaal’s characters do whatever is necessary to survive. I appreciated their authenticity and how they reflect the cruel reality thousands of people live at the moment.
A mind-blowing book, it is a must-read for those who like reading and learning about current world issues. It is also an excellent choice for those who love romantic thrillers. I cannot wait to read other books written by Khazaal.
A bestseller New York writer, Henry was born into an influential and affluent family. Born a winner, he always excelled at school and went to college at Columbia University. His father determined what career he had to pursue and who he had to date. After his father dies, he is able to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. Henry, indeed, becomes a successful writer. However, his latest book is a fiasco. In addition, his mother dies. Unable to deal with these situations, he embarks on a journey of debauchery in Europe. He takes on drugs, alcohol, and rough sex. He particularly enjoys being sadistic with the prostitutes he hires. Everything changes when he meets Tala, a gorgeous and deceiving Palestinian prostitute who used to live in Lebanon as a refugee. Tala’s amazing and harsh story of survival inspires Henry. He falls in love with her. Problem is he is determined to do whatever is necessary to win her heart.
Chaker Khazaal is a recognized Palestinian-Canadian writer and reporter for his work on the Middle East and the refugee crisis. In Tale of Tala, Khazaal discusses the significant subjects of the refugee crisis, displacement, the war in the Middle East, human trafficking, and prostitution. Unquestionably, this is an eye-opening story about how human beings survive these contemporary evils. His writing is simply brilliant and astonishing.
My favorite element of the book was how the characters represent the human condition during perilous times. Khazaal’s characters do whatever is necessary to survive. I appreciated their authenticity and how they reflect the cruel reality thousands of people live at the moment.
A mind-blowing book, it is a must-read for those who like reading and learning about current world issues. It is also an excellent choice for those who love romantic thrillers. I cannot wait to read other books written by Khazaal.
April 25, 2018
That was a wonderful tale. It is very well-written and thought out. The book is my first read by Chaker Khazaal, but it will not be my last. I loved this tale of love.
This is Tala and Henry’s story of how they met. We start the story with Henry. He is dark, self absorbed and determined to win Tala for himself. She is a prostitute and an refugee. She is anything but a common ordinary girl. Tala shows us everything that needs to be fixed in our world. Her life story is a deep look at all we have done and are still doing wrong. Like life, the book is full of surprises and unexpected turns. Tala’s story begins in a refugee camp in from which she escapes with her childhood love. She loses him in Turkey and then embarks on a dangerous and tragic journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. In Slovenia, she is forced into prostitution by human traffickers, and that is where the Henry meets her. After having met Tala, to win, to have her, to have her love, and to succeed becomes his goal, his journey, his mission. Two men were both competing for Tala's heart, even though Bilal dosent know that. It bugged Henry that he had the advantage over him because he was Tala’s her husband. But it was the Henry who risked his life for her; He was the one who rescued her from prostitution..
There were two options: He could tell the truth and reunite Bilal with his wife, or he could lie and keep him from her, and he could have her for himself. At the same time, could he do that to the woman he loves?
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too.
This is Tala and Henry’s story of how they met. We start the story with Henry. He is dark, self absorbed and determined to win Tala for himself. She is a prostitute and an refugee. She is anything but a common ordinary girl. Tala shows us everything that needs to be fixed in our world. Her life story is a deep look at all we have done and are still doing wrong. Like life, the book is full of surprises and unexpected turns. Tala’s story begins in a refugee camp in from which she escapes with her childhood love. She loses him in Turkey and then embarks on a dangerous and tragic journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. In Slovenia, she is forced into prostitution by human traffickers, and that is where the Henry meets her. After having met Tala, to win, to have her, to have her love, and to succeed becomes his goal, his journey, his mission. Two men were both competing for Tala's heart, even though Bilal dosent know that. It bugged Henry that he had the advantage over him because he was Tala’s her husband. But it was the Henry who risked his life for her; He was the one who rescued her from prostitution..
There were two options: He could tell the truth and reunite Bilal with his wife, or he could lie and keep him from her, and he could have her for himself. At the same time, could he do that to the woman he loves?
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too.
October 25, 2020
This novel deserves high ratings as it sheds light on the devastating plight of refugees. The forced displacement, the human vulnerability, and the daily struggles, are still an uncharted territory that necessitates global attention.
My disappointment with the novel stems from the over descriptive writing style, packed with clichés, that I found at times cringe-worthy.
The story is told in Henry’s voice, born to a privileged white and wealthy family in NYC. Henry is a writer himself and he reminds the reader in every single chapter, without fail, that he is destined, first and foremost, to be a “winner”.
The redundancy of the same “winning” idea paired with Henry’s preachy tone were a complete buzz kill right then and there. But, as if it was not agonizing enough to not be able to connect with a self-righteous sociopath with an inflated ego, the surreality of the flow of events made the whole reading experience even more absurd. It’s simply unfathomable that someone with Henry’s upbringing - cocooned and spoiled - was so comfortable, overnight, to deal with gangsters in foreign lands, to wire and throw millions of dollars under their feet to do his bids, and to even turn into a cold-hearted torturer/murderer — on the account of “winning” a woman he met two seconds ago and with whom he became infatuated, as well as writing a “winning” book.
Then comes the ending, and this where the reader asks themself: where on earth did this come from? Not in a what-a-great-twist-of-events kind of way; rather in a there’s-no-way-this-adds-up kind of way.
My disappointment with the novel stems from the over descriptive writing style, packed with clichés, that I found at times cringe-worthy.
The story is told in Henry’s voice, born to a privileged white and wealthy family in NYC. Henry is a writer himself and he reminds the reader in every single chapter, without fail, that he is destined, first and foremost, to be a “winner”.
The redundancy of the same “winning” idea paired with Henry’s preachy tone were a complete buzz kill right then and there. But, as if it was not agonizing enough to not be able to connect with a self-righteous sociopath with an inflated ego, the surreality of the flow of events made the whole reading experience even more absurd. It’s simply unfathomable that someone with Henry’s upbringing - cocooned and spoiled - was so comfortable, overnight, to deal with gangsters in foreign lands, to wire and throw millions of dollars under their feet to do his bids, and to even turn into a cold-hearted torturer/murderer — on the account of “winning” a woman he met two seconds ago and with whom he became infatuated, as well as writing a “winning” book.
Then comes the ending, and this where the reader asks themself: where on earth did this come from? Not in a what-a-great-twist-of-events kind of way; rather in a there’s-no-way-this-adds-up kind of way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
I am really into it
I like the themes and the main subjects the writer highlighted. Indeed, i hate Henry for overusing the winning and losing attitudes to deal with life matters. I hate that every chapter he was so arrogant to describe himself as a winner only becuase he has money and power. As for the ending, it is a twisting event that I believe should have changed because life is more than winning and losing sometimes the pain and dehumanization of Tala would allow her to be good to the man who helped her and prevent her from betraying him.
In general, Chaker Kazaal in his master piece deserves to be one of the most inflectial Arab under 40.a promising future for him as a novelist.
I like the themes and the main subjects the writer highlighted. Indeed, i hate Henry for overusing the winning and losing attitudes to deal with life matters. I hate that every chapter he was so arrogant to describe himself as a winner only becuase he has money and power. As for the ending, it is a twisting event that I believe should have changed because life is more than winning and losing sometimes the pain and dehumanization of Tala would allow her to be good to the man who helped her and prevent her from betraying him.
In general, Chaker Kazaal in his master piece deserves to be one of the most inflectial Arab under 40.a promising future for him as a novelist.
December 20, 2017
Astonishing! Brilliant! Unpredictable! Captivating!
I Fell in love with this novel couldn’t take it from my hands! Its been a year since I drowned in a book...
This book makes u think its the end but u keep feeling that something will change in the last pages and then it hits u different ending and u think thats it until in the last paragraph complete different end! WOW
I Fell in love with this novel couldn’t take it from my hands! Its been a year since I drowned in a book...
This book makes u think its the end but u keep feeling that something will change in the last pages and then it hits u different ending and u think thats it until in the last paragraph complete different end! WOW
December 23, 2017
I read it in straight 6 hours. Couldn't stop till I read the last page! But I didn't understand the end.
Why did Khazaal turn the refugee to become a wicked character (while having been in the past, a refugee himself)
Then the last page... I didn't get!!! Was henry reunited to Tala? It wasn't explained!!
Why did Khazaal turn the refugee to become a wicked character (while having been in the past, a refugee himself)
Then the last page... I didn't get!!! Was henry reunited to Tala? It wasn't explained!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2019
Five Gold Star
I enjoyed Tale of Tala immensely, your style of writing is free flowing, very intimate and thrilling.
Your imagination for creativity is evident throughout the story you weave.
As a writer I recognized your compassion and passion for the Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
Keep spreading the light and peace to other people’s hearts.
I enjoyed Tale of Tala immensely, your style of writing is free flowing, very intimate and thrilling.
Your imagination for creativity is evident throughout the story you weave.
As a writer I recognized your compassion and passion for the Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
Keep spreading the light and peace to other people’s hearts.
March 1, 2019
For the second reading of this masterpiece / book, it’s still amazing. The book is well written with surprises on each page, for me, it was more like a reminder of how the world is these days than a novel. I will say that it is well worth the read and I am glad that Khazaal put it to paper.
Highly recommended!!!!!
Highly recommended!!!!!
March 15, 2018
A really intense book towards the end. I really enjoyed the unraveling of the story & multiple stops along the way. I don’t usually read fiction so many too-good-to-be-true scenarios in the story had me scoffing, but I kept reminding myself that fiction CAN work that to its best end-goal.
May 28, 2019
It was a recommendation from a close friend. It took me long time to start the roman then all of the sudden i fallen in love with the book
Chakir khaz’al did great job. If like this story then i recommend you to read the novel America for the lebanese author Rabi’a Jabir.
Chakir khaz’al did great job. If like this story then i recommend you to read the novel America for the lebanese author Rabi’a Jabir.
August 31, 2018
Brilliant writing of details that grasps your attention and takes you on henry's journey. Its brilliant enticing and thrilling to read. So totally recommend!
November 9, 2018
قصة رائعة رغم تحفظي على بعض السرد والآراء .. لا أوافق كل ما قيل فيها لكنها جميلة السياق والنمط ومشوقة وأجاد الكتب وصف النفس البشرية
November 17, 2018
لم تعجبني ابدا
September 4, 2019
كتير show off
ولا مرّة حسيت هالكاتب فعلًا عندو قضية أو عندو صدق بالي عم يكتبو.
ما قدر يقنعني ولا بحرف.
ولا مرّة حسيت هالكاتب فعلًا عندو قضية أو عندو صدق بالي عم يكتبو.
ما قدر يقنعني ولا بحرف.
Want to Read
February 28, 2021i want to read this book thanks
March 9, 2023
Hands down the worst book I have ever read, and I’ve read a lot of books!
November 20, 2023
This book tells the tale of refugees and how unbearable their lives can be when in survival mode.
July 6, 2025
رواية تفتقد العمق. تشعرك بأنه فيلم اميركي استغل قصص انسانية ليبني عليها رواية.
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