Review by ButterscotchCherrie -- Gates to Tangier

[Alice Heritage]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Gates to Tangier" by Mois Benarroch.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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This book is about family and identity, heritage, perceptions of human differences versus the reality of human similarities, and what those who flee take with them versus what they leave behind. It is about the lasting effects of the persecution of Jews throughout the ages and specifically about the history of the Sephardic Jews who once lived in Morocco, the different directions taken among the Jewish diaspora and the Jews in Israel, and Jewish relations with those of other creeds and ethnicities, especially Muslims and Arabs.

The genre specified was “historical fiction”, yet the action all takes place in the present era with flashbacks to the 1970s. Multi-layered, this book has some elements of surrealism and magic realism, while on the surface it could be categorized as a “mystery” or “thriller”!

A family, including siblings and main protagonists Fortu, Isaque, Silvia and Alberto learn after their father’s death that he left something behind in Morocco when they fled in 1974 – a son by their maid Fátima. According to the will, they cannot receive their inheritance until they have made every effort to find this son. The narrative tracks their journey to Tétouan in Morocco stage by stage, documenting how they interact and their reflections on their current lives and professions. We learn that there was another brother, not coincidentally named Israel, paradoxically the greatest success in Jerusalem by virtue of his death in the war with Lebanon. Some narration is provided by his ghost, who haunts airports, and the tale comprises mysterious poetic interludes also. The characters’ reflections during the journey include their theories about what might have become of their half-brother.

The air of mystery was one of my favourite aspects of the book. We learn of a development way beyond the characters’ wildest imaginings, and I applaud the author for having the courage to introduce some distinctly taboo subjects. I loved the way the concluding pages gave me goose bumps!

With regard to what I liked least, the strengths of the plot and structure aren’t matched by interesting language, except in the poetic interludes. Generally the story reads in a pedestrian and stilted way, and while the writer is on firm ground with a masculine perspective, his females are less convincing. This is particularly unfortunate in a work that raises serious issues about women’s place in society, and fertility.

Those are just some of the fascinating topics touched on, and I rate this often deliciously ironic book 3 out of 4 stars. I did not give it 2 stars because it is truly thrilling, and I did not give it 4 stars because of the stilted language that at worst results in a certain lack of clarity, which makes rereading necessary. This does not have to be the case even with the most complex plots when the writing is clear enough. As an aside, the inclusion of a map would have enhanced this book greatly.

This work is a translation, and the translator did an excellent job. The English is almost always grammatically correct and idiomatic – though they do need to learn the word “siblings” as it’s incorrect to refer to “four brothers” when one is female. In an example of a similar content error, a café worker is referred to as both “waiter” and “waitress” in two concurrent sentences. Aside from that there are multiple homophone errors like “one of the soldiers through [sic] a grenade”. As a result, the impression gained is that this was not professionally edited – which also precludes me from giving it 4 out of 4 stars.

Despite those weaknesses I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers and thought-provoking narratives that work on many levels. It might not appeal to those who do not enjoy reading about tricky issues and there are allusions that some might find disturbing. (I cannot reveal the details of this content warning, because that would be a terrible spoiler).

Overall, I experienced this as a gripping read, wanting to know if they would find their brother, whether any of their conjectures about him or about their father’s relationship with his mother were correct, and how they might be changed by their return to their old home town. The complex structure is entertaining and compelling.

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Gates to Tangier
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Like ButterscotchCherrie's review? Post a comment saying so!

[The Researcher]

Nice review. However, I think this is not my type of book. Thanks for sharing your views.

[Alice Heritage]

Yes, this wouldn't be to all tastes. Thanks for commenting!

[readandsmile]

I like your review. Thank you for that informative review. This book makes me excited to read when you mention JEWISH DIASPORA. This book is a great help for my studies about the Jews.

[Alice Heritage]

Thanks for your reply! As well as functioning as stories, Benarroch's novels are very informative about the Sephardim and the Moroccan Jewish minority. It's almost died out now, and he goes into the implications of that. I'm glad that my review provided you with a useful pointer.

[Alicnim]

Your review was enjoyable to read. But, a book about history is not my thing. Thanks

[Alice Heritage]

Your review was enjoyable to read. But, a book about history is not my thing.

I'm glad you liked the review. This book does have a definite story ... but I get that the historical aspect wouldn't be your cup of tea. Thanks for commenting!

[geoffrey ngoima]

Another of your review with magical realism!
Today must be my lucky day
Always great reviews

[Alice Heritage]

I think the original language of this was Spanish ...

[geoffrey ngoima]

I think the original language of this was Spanish ...

Haha, come on, you're pulling my leg here...
How come you always get the magical realism AND Spanish books? Haha, but the particular version you used was in English, right?

[Alice Heritage]

Haha, but the particular version you used was in English, right?

Yes, though definitely a translation. This author writes in French and Hebrew as well as Spanish!

[geoffrey ngoima]

Haha, but the particular version you used was in English, right?

Yes, though definitely a translation. This author writes in French and Hebrew as well as Spanish!

Waw