Our Shared Shelf discussion

I just finished reading Ahdaf Soueif's essay 'Mezzaterra,' which I loved. I want to further explore the Palestinian/Israeli relationship. What would you read next? Or maybe even a documentary to suggest?

Hi, i’m waiting for this book to be released A Woman Is No Man about three generations of Palestinian immigrants in Brooklyn, US. Many years ago I watched Paradise Now a drama film which looks at that conflict situation from a unique perspective.

I took a Writing 101 class several years ago that focused on the conflict. We read two memoirs, one from each perspective. Amos Oz, "A Tale of Love and Darkness" and "Once Upon a Country" by Sari Nusseibeh. Read together, they provide a glimpse into the challenges faced by those living so close, but also so far away.

Kate wrote: "Hi, i’m waiting for this book to be released A Woman Is No Man about three generations of Palestinian immigrants in Brooklyn, US. Many years ago I watched Paradise Now a drama fil..."
Thanks! I'll look into this

Kelsey wrote: "I took a Writing 101 class several years ago that focused on the conflict. We read two memoirs, one from each perspective. Amos Oz, "A Tale of Love and Darkness" and "Once Upon a Country" by Sari N..."

Thanks! I'll look these up.

Hi Katie! Mezzaterra gave such a strong political insight on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. If you're looking to read a novel about the Palestinian conflict i suggest checking "Mornings in Jenin" by Susan Abulhwa. It's not so much political, but it tells a story of a Palestinian family in a heart wrenching way.

Did reading this throw up any dissonances for anybody else? I've just finished the essay and I'm finding it hard to square the anger towards Israel in my head, with the worrying trend towards anti-semitism that seems to be rising within the west, both on the right wing and apparently on the left. As a white woman in a position of privilege, I thought the essay was excellent but it did leave me with a lingering sense of unease that I'm finding hard to shake.

Lujain wrote: "Hi Katie! Mezzaterra gave such a strong political insight on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. If you're looking to read a novel about the Palestinian conflict i suggest checking "Mornings in Jenin..."
I just added this to my list.
Thanks, Lujain!

Kate wrote: "Hi, i’m waiting for this book to be released A Woman Is No Man about three generations of Palestinian immigrants in Brooklyn, US. Many years ago I watched Paradise Now a drama fil..."

I read -
definitely recommend it! Finished it a while ago but still thinking of the characters and their lives.

Just a note: Sabrina Mahfouz, the editor behind The Things I Would Tell You came out with a new play recently: A History of Water in the Middle East. A History of Water in the Middle East