Review of Operation Olive Tree
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eme-22Dreamer
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- Latest Review: Operation Olive Tree by Jemil Metti
Review of Operation Olive Tree
[Following is a volunteer review of "Operation Olive Tree" by Jemil Metti.]
Wow. This was my soft utterance after reading the last page of Operation Olive Tree by Jemil Metti. This is a timeless tale energized by a solid ensemble. Spanning more than a decade, Palestine-born Jamal Shaheen and Israel-born Irith Goldman are brought to the brink of every literal and existential war. They are young and budding opera singers who have become enmeshed in the daily political struggles between their parents and countries. Over time Jamal and Irith find their voices on and off the concert stage. With the help of trusted mentors, they glean the power to push past intergenerational violent tendencies. In the end they can spread peace despite their genetic associations and the suffocating agony of continuous war.
An impressive aspect of this story is how tightly the author has captured each character by presenting subtle differences in cadence and tone of speech. One cannot mix up Jamal, our Everyman, with his best friend Salah or his initial frenemy Steve. Irith is painted with initial delicacy in contrast with our hardened Captain Shamir. Pain on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict is generations deep and laced with prejudices. Yet we are offered a morsel of hope. In the neutral school Neve Shalom, Arab and Israeli students study their countries and themselves. The challenges to each student’s perspectives are uncomfortable, but necessary.
This story accurately reflects every prejudicial emotion. There are descriptions of and references to violence. These are a necessary part of the individual and ensemble character arcs. Its’ universality is so accurately depicted that I had to remind myself that it was set in the early 1980s.
I cannot find a negative issue with the story. The editing is superb. The imagery is stunning. We accompany Jamal to the Israeli Al-Qashla prison and listen as he is questioned. When transported to the olive trees in Eshtaol we watch Irith and her aunt sitting silently, waiting for the trap to be sprung. Every moment in the book feels real, hopeful and scary all at once. The author has captured my mind and my heart.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend Operation Olive Tree for an emotionally mature audience due to occasional violent moments. It is a great resource for educators and parents who want to present the struggle over the Gaza Strip in an insightful and safe format. It is a story that will easily skip off of the page and onto the screen or stage. It’s safe on my shelf.
******
Operation Olive Tree
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Wow. This was my soft utterance after reading the last page of Operation Olive Tree by Jemil Metti. This is a timeless tale energized by a solid ensemble. Spanning more than a decade, Palestine-born Jamal Shaheen and Israel-born Irith Goldman are brought to the brink of every literal and existential war. They are young and budding opera singers who have become enmeshed in the daily political struggles between their parents and countries. Over time Jamal and Irith find their voices on and off the concert stage. With the help of trusted mentors, they glean the power to push past intergenerational violent tendencies. In the end they can spread peace despite their genetic associations and the suffocating agony of continuous war.
An impressive aspect of this story is how tightly the author has captured each character by presenting subtle differences in cadence and tone of speech. One cannot mix up Jamal, our Everyman, with his best friend Salah or his initial frenemy Steve. Irith is painted with initial delicacy in contrast with our hardened Captain Shamir. Pain on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict is generations deep and laced with prejudices. Yet we are offered a morsel of hope. In the neutral school Neve Shalom, Arab and Israeli students study their countries and themselves. The challenges to each student’s perspectives are uncomfortable, but necessary.
This story accurately reflects every prejudicial emotion. There are descriptions of and references to violence. These are a necessary part of the individual and ensemble character arcs. Its’ universality is so accurately depicted that I had to remind myself that it was set in the early 1980s.
I cannot find a negative issue with the story. The editing is superb. The imagery is stunning. We accompany Jamal to the Israeli Al-Qashla prison and listen as he is questioned. When transported to the olive trees in Eshtaol we watch Irith and her aunt sitting silently, waiting for the trap to be sprung. Every moment in the book feels real, hopeful and scary all at once. The author has captured my mind and my heart.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend Operation Olive Tree for an emotionally mature audience due to occasional violent moments. It is a great resource for educators and parents who want to present the struggle over the Gaza Strip in an insightful and safe format. It is a story that will easily skip off of the page and onto the screen or stage. It’s safe on my shelf.
******
Operation Olive Tree
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Operation Olive Tree by Jemil Metti
