Review by Catherine Tabone -- Raquel Says (Something Ent...
Posted: 21 Apr 2017, 09:44
[Following is a volunteer review of "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch.]
3 out of 4 stars
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"Today I am writing to see how far these words can go". At age 40, Benarroch dwells on his journey through life - his childhood, his family, his origins, his country, his religion, his choices and, most of all, his loneliness. Raquel is his creation and travelling companion. He sees himself through her eyes. She is partly what he would like to be. She also fills the void of his existence - a void that would otherwise only be filled by death. This is not a novel. This is a book.
"In books, the humans want to be part of the book". This book is Mois Benarroch.
Spain, Morocco and Israel have left their marks on Benarroch. Although born in Morocco, he feels he cannot avoid the historic ties to Spain. It is close to his heart, feeds his fantasy and addresses his need for belonging. Israel on the other hand is the country of his adulthood and the Kabbalah. "The Kabbalah never moves away from words to reach God, like other mysticisms do. I think the only way to reach God is through words."
"I'm looking for vital writing that comes straight from the throat, like laughing or crying, like breathing or peeing. Something basic, something that doesn't imitate life, analyse life, or escape from life. Writing that is life itself, part of life, nothing less and nothing more."
In fact this book is intense. Perhaps for some it may be too intense. In trying so hard to come to grips with his existence, some may think that Benarroch tends to miss the woods for the trees. The demarcation between reality and dreams, between life and Mynonbeing is blurred. It nearly does not exist. Unless of course one accepts that dreams are an essential part of life.
At some point or other of our lives each one of us tries to come to grips with the meaning of our fleeting passage through this world. Most of us do not linger over the issue for too long. Neither do we normally seek to over emphasize our uniqueness. With some exceptions, we feel we have no choice, take life for what it is and make the best of it. Not Benarroch. Whether he succeeds in his quest or not is left for the reader to decide even if, in truth, whatever the reader concludes will not really affect his life and his way of looking at it. For each one of us the battle needs to be won within and not without.
Love it or hate it, this book makes you think. The feeling it evokes is similar to that when contemplating modern art. It provides you with glimpses of Benarroch's life, his internal and external struggles, in vibrant colours but limited definition. It is necessary to take a step back in order to assess the result of his work overall, to understand whether it strikes a chord or not. As with modern art, the result of the assessment is very personal. To some extent it depends on the ability of the reader to venture beyond the boundaries we normally set for ourselves.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Benarroch finds the courage to share his thoughts, emotions, frustrations and dreams no holds barred irrespective of the criticism he knows he will undoubtedly attract and his fear of same. His prose flows freely. He holds nothing back. He does not try to organise his delivery. Even if the reader concludes he cannot agree or fully agree with what he says, Benarroch must surely be applauded for his sincerity.
******
Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Catherine Tabone's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
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"Today I am writing to see how far these words can go". At age 40, Benarroch dwells on his journey through life - his childhood, his family, his origins, his country, his religion, his choices and, most of all, his loneliness. Raquel is his creation and travelling companion. He sees himself through her eyes. She is partly what he would like to be. She also fills the void of his existence - a void that would otherwise only be filled by death. This is not a novel. This is a book.
"In books, the humans want to be part of the book". This book is Mois Benarroch.Spain, Morocco and Israel have left their marks on Benarroch. Although born in Morocco, he feels he cannot avoid the historic ties to Spain. It is close to his heart, feeds his fantasy and addresses his need for belonging. Israel on the other hand is the country of his adulthood and the Kabbalah. "The Kabbalah never moves away from words to reach God, like other mysticisms do. I think the only way to reach God is through words."
"I'm looking for vital writing that comes straight from the throat, like laughing or crying, like breathing or peeing. Something basic, something that doesn't imitate life, analyse life, or escape from life. Writing that is life itself, part of life, nothing less and nothing more."
In fact this book is intense. Perhaps for some it may be too intense. In trying so hard to come to grips with his existence, some may think that Benarroch tends to miss the woods for the trees. The demarcation between reality and dreams, between life and Mynonbeing is blurred. It nearly does not exist. Unless of course one accepts that dreams are an essential part of life.
At some point or other of our lives each one of us tries to come to grips with the meaning of our fleeting passage through this world. Most of us do not linger over the issue for too long. Neither do we normally seek to over emphasize our uniqueness. With some exceptions, we feel we have no choice, take life for what it is and make the best of it. Not Benarroch. Whether he succeeds in his quest or not is left for the reader to decide even if, in truth, whatever the reader concludes will not really affect his life and his way of looking at it. For each one of us the battle needs to be won within and not without.
Love it or hate it, this book makes you think. The feeling it evokes is similar to that when contemplating modern art. It provides you with glimpses of Benarroch's life, his internal and external struggles, in vibrant colours but limited definition. It is necessary to take a step back in order to assess the result of his work overall, to understand whether it strikes a chord or not. As with modern art, the result of the assessment is very personal. To some extent it depends on the ability of the reader to venture beyond the boundaries we normally set for ourselves.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Benarroch finds the courage to share his thoughts, emotions, frustrations and dreams no holds barred irrespective of the criticism he knows he will undoubtedly attract and his fear of same. His prose flows freely. He holds nothing back. He does not try to organise his delivery. Even if the reader concludes he cannot agree or fully agree with what he says, Benarroch must surely be applauded for his sincerity.
******
Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Catherine Tabone's review? Post a comment saying so!