Review by Harmony Hills -- The Expelled by Mois Benarroch

[Harmony Hills]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Expelled" by Mois Benarroch.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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The Expelled by Mois Benarroch is the most complicated book I, or anyone could have ever read. It has its own flavor of fiction, reality and twisted plots that is new to every reader out there, and that include yours truly.

This is a story about an author, a Sepphardic Jew, who's trying his best to save his career by selling one of his novel. He's afraid that his wife will leave him in no time, and his boss fire him if he failed in his last attempt to earn money from his profession. He met a young woman whose life is known by the protagonist inexplicably. The two of them continued to meet which gained the woman's trust and affection leading them to have an affair, making love with each other.

She asked him to read one his stories on one of their meet ups. This book, written by the main protagonist depicts his experiences being a victim of racism. The symbol he used is a bus, comprised of the front and back people, the latter treated lower than the former on the bus society. The back people have gone through abuse, maltreatment, discrimination, injustice the whole time they were on the bus, and the bus facing its own discrimination depicted by a wall separating it from the people on the other side. Another story came out of this book written in a notebook depicting the same situation of Sepphardic Jews.

All stories ended, as well as The Expelled with the main protagonist's realization that his mistress is just a younger version of his wife. Whether it is his pure imagination or naughty trick by his wife, The Expelled ended leaving its readers mind boggled.

Mois Benarroch, as described by Goodreads, "is one of the most enigmatic figures in today's world literature." His way of writing, though caught me off guard introduced to me the whole book as a symbolism of how the Sephardic Jews are today. As a part of the bigger group -- the Jews which is symbolized by the bus in the book, these people were already a victim of racism. Then, as a part of the smaller group -- the Sepphardic Jews which is symbolized by the back people, they were still victimized by their own race. Added by the catchy beginning and me questioning, "Who is this young woman?", I was trapped and indulged in the book making me realize that their life is much much worse than anyone could imagine.

The Expelled is one of the books people should read, but there are these long sentences separated by commas that should be separated by periods for it to be more readable. The symbolism is also wonderful, but the execution is not that commendable because of redundant points and sentiments the protagonist wanted to express.

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. The depiction and execution of being expelled is symbolized nearly perfect, but the translation and editorial aspects may have affected the quality of the book.

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The Expelled
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Like Harmony Hills's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Manang Muyang]

Hi Micah! I appreciate your thoughts about this challenging story. It was my first OBC review and I call it my baptism of fire. Welcome to the Benarroch Survivors Club. ?

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Yep, sounds too complicated for my tastes. Thank you for this review.

[Naval Aulakh]

I liked the review. It's sad that the book lacks good editing. Thanks for the review.

[LadyClaire]

wow! I almost selected 'the expelled' for review. I'm glad you found something that caught your attention. Thanks for reading and sharing, Harmony Hills.

[The Researcher]

Nice review! Because of its complicated and symbolic plot, I did not read this book. However, your review did make me curious.

[Jeremie Mondejar]

Nice review. That story is common having an affair to someone breaks the union of marriage. I don't like to hear a story like that even if it happens. Thanks for the information about that book.

[Harmony Hills]

Hi Micah! I appreciate your thoughts about this challenging story. It was my first OBC review and I call it my baptism of fire. Welcome to the Benarroch Survivors Club. ?

Hi Miriam! Thank you again for replying my Kabayan Yes, i'm now part of Benarroch Survivors Club! It was such a roller coaster!

Thank you Kelebogile Mbangi, Naval Aulakh, LadyClaire, The Researcher and Jem Tomarong for commenting!
All of you made my hard day joyful

[Eoui]

I'm finding it interesting that this author revolves around similar themes in his work, it must be very important to him. Reading a collection of his other work I have to agree that it would serve his work well to get edited before any publishing. Run-on sentences and repetitive points were a norm in my reading as well. Glad to hear your review!

[Harmony Hills]

I'm finding it interesting that this author revolves around similar themes in his work, it must be very important to him. Reading a collection of his other work I have to agree that it would serve his work well to get edited before any publishing. Run-on sentences and repetitive points were a norm in my reading as well. Glad to hear your review!

Thabk you for replying Eoui. I haven't read his other stories, and i ever will, i have to prepare myself mentally for another complicated book! Yes, really. I hope in the future i'll read a better edition of The Expelled. Happy reading.

[jemgirl202]

Great review! I don't think this is a book I would be interested in reading. I do appreciate what this book tries to discuss.

[Harmony Hills]

Great review! I don't think this is a book I would be interested in reading. I do appreciate what this book tries to discuss.

Thank you jemgirl202! Some would not really be interested in reading this book, and some who did read is a survivor.