Wild Thorns (Interlink World Fiction)

This is a great book. It's does not portray that Palestinian experience in a black & white way - it shows different reactions to the occupation and the consequences of those reactions. I loved the recurring theme of "Sink in the mud Palestine." That theme is sort of the antithesis of the romantic Palestinian reaction - it shows the disappointment and the acceptance of defeat. Absolutely wonderful and rich literature.

I have always considered myself a dedicated sympathiser to the Palestinian cause, I have always had my doubts as to how to categorise in my mind those Palestinians referred to as "Arab Israelis" and those who accept to work 'inside'. With this book I have learned of my total ignorance on the subject of occupation, and Ms. Khalifeh has taught me a valuable lesson: it is impossible to draw this conflict in black and white. The shades of grey in this novel render the reality from within all the more tragic. Never before have i empathised so with this most unbelievable of injustices, one of the heaviest burdens to be placed squarely on the conscience of all nations and most of their citizens. I am sure that anyone who reads this book will be robbed of his or her ability to view the current developments with cold indifference.

Even for those persons with strong opinions about the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, or with those like me who truly do not know what comes first if the egg or the chicken, this book will open their eyes to the real nature of every conflict. It shows with amazing beauty how life is more powerful than death. How every time a person picks up an arm to impose its ideas, he is merely a tool for the dispensers of stupidity.I do agree completely with the other reviewers who have stated that this book can not be approached believing that is merely propaganda against Israel. It simply shows that no matter the reason, violence only creates suffering for of those who are involved in the conflict.

First and foremost, I would like to add that as a Palestinian who feels that the Palestinian-Israeli crisis is not receiving as much attention as it should, it is wonderful to see that a writer who is as talented as Sahar Khalifeh has decided to bring this situation to the forefront.In "Wild Thorns" Sahar Khalifeh takes the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and offers her readers a deeper side to the miserable situation that we only hear about in two-minute segments on CNN. By describing different aspects of the conflict such as resentment between Palestinians who live in the Occupied Territories and those who've left the country and gone elsewhere, Khalifeh shows that the situation is NOT just between Arabs and Jews. Khalifeh also describes the difficult situation that exists when a young Palestinian woman falls in love with a man that her father does not approve of. This novel delves into the complicated situation that exists in the war-torn Middle East by portraying REAL people with REAL problems and REAL lives. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about the terrible Palestinian-Israeli conflict from a wonderful writer who has actually experienced life under occupation.

I am very grateful to a friend in your Customer Service Department for recommending this book to me. It is an authentic account of life in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, ringing true as only someone who had been there can make it. This siutation, between Palestinians and Israelis remains a powder keg today, and doubtless much of the Western world is uninformed about it, except for what the newspapers tell them. The book illustrates most vividly how hate, war, violence, and ignorance are destroying everyone, regardless of the side they take. There are not just two sides here; the author presents the situation in all its complexities and really makes the reader think. Most people in the book are just trying to survive and are not being allowed to. This has happened again and again throughout history, but the novel is a highly vivid and relevant description of how continuing intolerance will result in destruction for everyone. It is particularly relevant for U.S. readers, due to recent terrorist acts in this country (such as the World Trade Center Bombing). One of the main characters is a Palestinian terrorist. No one can afford not to try to understand where he is coming from. The author has done an outstanding job and the book should be more publicized.