"...you were born into a culture which has no place for...love to express itself. We are accursed among all living creatures. xxx We do not have leave to love one another and we have long ago lost the ability. It was so written twelve hundred years earlier. Hate is our overpowering legacy and we have regenerated ourselves by hatred from...generation to generation, century to century. xxx...that hatred, exploding wildly, aimlessly, into a massive force of self-destruction. xxx We cannot live with ourselves, we never have. We cannot live with or accommodate the outside world, we never have. We are incapable of change."
Haj Ibrahim, leader of a traditional Arabic village of Tabah in 1922. His youngest son is Ishmael who is much protected by his mother even though he is supposed to be the future leader of the family and the village. Their life is shaken when a kibbutz is established near their village. One of the Jewish settlers is Gideon Asch who has become friends with Haj Ibrahim.
It is a story of friendship, secret and forbidden. Of love, secret and unexpressed.
-o0o-
i will not do justice to this beautiful novel if I would have to write just a one-paragraph review/summary. it is a beautiful story, which for the most part rings true. there are historical infusions and when you've read it, you will understand and have sympathy for the characters. i found on the internet a very good summary of this book, so if you are interested or so inclined, the link is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Haj. to understand the arabs and the muslims and whether or not you're into history, this book is a good start.
it was a glorious day in toronto today, as you can see, we had a cloudless blue sky (well almost). this is the mosque of the "islamic society of markham", about 18 kilometres east of toronto. not as fancy as yesterday's temple, but imposing nonetheless.
Nice blue sky and great looking mosque, I think that traffic light is on a lean! Book sounds good, it's on the list! Maybe we need to start an online book club with live chat?? Could be fun! Nice radio voice btw my friend! ;-)
@danig - i have no idea why the traffic light pole is on a lean or the tower of the mosque, too. damn camera, i can never figure it out. i have a new copy of this book, DG. do you want me to send it to you? let me know.
an online book club? sure! with live chat? don't know about that.
you were able to listen to my program? cool! i'll tell life rattle that i have a "fan" in australia, too! because my friends are scattered all over the globe, a lot of peeps got to listen to the program. which one did you hear?
great shot of the Mosque, which of course illustrates the idea of 'Haj' but also, with it's black and white architecture, reflects the opposition between the Jewish settlers and the Islamic communities...ancient divisions that run deep but that sometimes can be bridged by the relationship between two people from either side of the fence
September 18th, 2011
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@bkbinthecity - thank you. leon uris is one of my favourite writers. i have read all his books and they are by no means small books or short tales.
an online book club? sure! with live chat? don't know about that.
you were able to listen to my program? cool! i'll tell life rattle that i have a "fan" in australia, too! because my friends are scattered all over the globe, a lot of peeps got to listen to the program. which one did you hear?
thanks again. much appreciated, DG.