Review by Harmony Hills -- The Expelled by Mois Benarroch
Posted: 27 Jul 2017, 07:52
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Expelled" by Mois Benarroch.]
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.
******
The Expelled
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Harmony Hills's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
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.
******
The Expelled
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Harmony Hills's review? Post a comment saying so!
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.
Yes, i'm now part of Benarroch Survivors Club! It was such a roller coaster!