Review by aichalives -- Keys to Tetouan by Mois Benarroch
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Review by aichalives -- Keys to Tetouan by Mois Benarroch
[Following is a volunteer review of "Keys to Tetouan" by Mois Benarroch.]
2 out of 4 stars
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This is my review of the book Keys to Tetouan by Mois Benarroch. The book is the first in Benarroch’s triology on Tetouan. I give the book 2 out of 4 stars.
Keys to Tetouan describes the search of Moshe into his Jewish Moroccan heritage in the village of Tetouan in Morocco. His ancestors have lived in Spain, Tetouan, Venezuala, the US, France, Greece and Israel. Each chapter of the book is a part of the history of the Bezimra family, described from a different ancestor’s perspective every chapter. In the end, all of these parts are connected by a key that has lived through all these ages to witness the ancestors’ lives.
Benarroch’s story and historical detail is fascinating, especially if you’re interested in the history of religion or the Middle East. I liked how Benarroch makes each mono- or dialogue personal, showing how people were feeling and thinking at a certain time, sometimes against a background of a different historical narrative. He shows the hopes and doubts of his characters, and lets them reflect on their lives, mistakes and successes. Benarroch takes you to different era’s and different places, thus giving you a nice feeling of both geographic and time travel. He adequately paints a picture of the circumstances in which is characters were living, while also showing their individuality and agency.
The reason I only have the book 2 out of 4 stars despite its strong content, is because the way it is written. The changing perspective of each chapter could allow for an interesting insight into each ancestor, but the lack of framework or announcement makes it very difficult to understand what or whose words you’re reading. The way the book is written now leaves a reader utterly confused. This is especially true for the first half of the book, after this the reader starts to see patterns and connections, but it remains puzzling at times where in history you are and whose words you’re reading. This might be on purpose, but in my view it destroys a lot of the historical narrative and the beauty the book could have had in telling the story of a Jewish family and her forced or voluntary wanderings around the world.
A simple title or notification of each chapter with ‘ grandson’, ‘ great-grandfather’, or even their names with a lineage drawing, would have made reading Keys to Tetouan much more enjoyable. This way, the reader can actually focus on the storyline instead of the puzzle.
******
Keys to Tetouan
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2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This is my review of the book Keys to Tetouan by Mois Benarroch. The book is the first in Benarroch’s triology on Tetouan. I give the book 2 out of 4 stars.
Keys to Tetouan describes the search of Moshe into his Jewish Moroccan heritage in the village of Tetouan in Morocco. His ancestors have lived in Spain, Tetouan, Venezuala, the US, France, Greece and Israel. Each chapter of the book is a part of the history of the Bezimra family, described from a different ancestor’s perspective every chapter. In the end, all of these parts are connected by a key that has lived through all these ages to witness the ancestors’ lives.
Benarroch’s story and historical detail is fascinating, especially if you’re interested in the history of religion or the Middle East. I liked how Benarroch makes each mono- or dialogue personal, showing how people were feeling and thinking at a certain time, sometimes against a background of a different historical narrative. He shows the hopes and doubts of his characters, and lets them reflect on their lives, mistakes and successes. Benarroch takes you to different era’s and different places, thus giving you a nice feeling of both geographic and time travel. He adequately paints a picture of the circumstances in which is characters were living, while also showing their individuality and agency.
The reason I only have the book 2 out of 4 stars despite its strong content, is because the way it is written. The changing perspective of each chapter could allow for an interesting insight into each ancestor, but the lack of framework or announcement makes it very difficult to understand what or whose words you’re reading. The way the book is written now leaves a reader utterly confused. This is especially true for the first half of the book, after this the reader starts to see patterns and connections, but it remains puzzling at times where in history you are and whose words you’re reading. This might be on purpose, but in my view it destroys a lot of the historical narrative and the beauty the book could have had in telling the story of a Jewish family and her forced or voluntary wanderings around the world.
A simple title or notification of each chapter with ‘ grandson’, ‘ great-grandfather’, or even their names with a lineage drawing, would have made reading Keys to Tetouan much more enjoyable. This way, the reader can actually focus on the storyline instead of the puzzle.
******
Keys to Tetouan
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like aichalives's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "My Trip To Adele" by R.I.Alyaseer and A. I Alyaseer
