Review by Readerwork -- Gates to Tangier by Mois Benarroch

[Readerwork]

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

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2 out of 4 stars

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Gates To Tangier - Mois Bennaroh
The author is a well-known poet and author and the present work has been translated by Sara Maria Hasbun. Though a work of fiction; the settings and background are historical. The book is more a journey of self-reflection. It is likely to be more relevant to people with a deeper understanding of Jewish History and of Moroccan Jews. The premise is quite straight forward where a father leaves a will with the condition that his children find out a step brother left behind in their place of origin. It deals with how each member copes with the shock of discovering a previously unknown half-brother and their journey to the native land. As a translated work, the flow tends to jump from one character to another and the conversations supposedly by the soul are a bit difficult to understand.

The narrative is more a discussion on the oppression faced by Jews across centuries and countries and how they have tried to cope with the same. There seems to be a jump in the narrative as it moves from one section to another. The three brothers are given more space to air their views in comparison to the sister who accompanies them on their journey. It does paint a vivid picture of Morocco and the culture there.

Though France and Spain are shown as major countries of Jewish migration, the overall feel is of Jews being in these countries out of compulsion and their underlying sentiment to return to their land of origin though generations have passed since migrating to these countries. A major view put forth is the hostility between Jews and Arabs, which the characters carry forth, though they are not in Israel or in Morocco. The book also touches the subject of converting Jews to Islam or Christianity, although it is put forward as if done voluntarily by the Jews.

Certain premises such as the sex change operation for a year old child is a bit of a stretch and it is put forward as something that occurs commonly in these regions. The book spans the genre of a travel book and a commentary on Jewish history. The view point coming across is of Israel as a land where all Jews need to go back to understand themselves and their history and success or lack thereof.

I would give this book 2 out of 4 stars. The flow of narrative would probably be better with a better translation. An understanding of certain terms and their historical significance would help a reader better relate to this book and the view point put forth. In all, a decent read which would probably be better in the original language and context.

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Gates to Tangier
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[kdstrack]

Thank you for your review. Your comment about having a deeper of Jewish history prior to reading the book really resounded with me! I, too, wonder how this book would read in its original language. Really appreciate your point of view.