Review by Kelebogile Mbangi -- Raquel Says (Something En...

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected) is the love story of two soulmates who happen to be parallels of each other. Born in the same year, in the same city, both are emigrants and passionate writers who live through words and their books, Mois and Raquel’s lives share undeniable similarities. This fictional book of 103 pages is by award-winning poet and writer Mois Benarroch. In building the credibility of his characters, Benarroch discusses subjects such as emigration, discrimination, otherness, language, marital relationships and literature. Benarroch conveys feelings and experiences that are so human, so genuine, that it is difficult not to relate to one thing or another.

Mois is at a difficult period in his life. He has lost his job, he experiences pain from knowledge of his wife’s lasting connection and attachment to a former lover of hers and can longer can stand having his literary works reviewed and critiqued. He feels a deep loneliness and longs to be loved, not just in words, but to be loved through actions that meet and fulfill his needs. He has lost the will to live. it is at this point that Raquel, with her brown hair and deep large eyes, enters his life.

I love how the book portrays love as an active constructive force. Through love, Mois and Raquel regain their desire to live. They help each other regain pieces of themselves that were lost to them. An example of this is when Raquel tells Mois that “there is a twelve-year old boy who wants to speak”. Through her help Mois goes through a personal introspection that takes him back to his family’s emigration from Morocco to Israel. Mois realizes that upon settlement in Jerusalem, he lost his confident, outgoing twelve-year-old self and became a timid, isolated poet. Raquel helps him reclaim his Sephardi identity by encouraging him to write in Spanish, his mother tongue.

I found that the story line was hard to follow as the book skips between different time periods and does not follow a logical sequence of events. Benarroch coveys the feeling that time is not linear, the past and future are intertwined. He also refers to many Jewish concepts which I was unfamiliar with. At times I found it difficult to understand, this is perhaps because the book has been translated. I found that only after reading the entire book did I understand the plot which at the beginning is vague and unclear.

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. Although it a beautiful love story, it was not a page turner and so fails to obtain a 3 from me. It also does not seem to be professionally edited, the cover is dull and unappealing. However, it does deserve more than a 1 as it beautifully conveys feelings we can all relate to. I would recommend it for people who love poetry as it is a poetical piece.

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Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)
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Like Kelebogile Mbangi's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Czarmaine AM]

This is a great review! I also thought that the reason why some parts of the book were confusing is because of the translation. Overall, I also found Mois and Raquel's story beautiful.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Thank you for reading my review and commenting! I agree it's a great love story.

[bookowlie]

I enjoyed reading your review. I think it takes a certain skill for an author to skip between time periods in a story. Many authors don't do this type of storyline well.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Thank you Bookowlie. I couldn't agree more, in this case though I was left feeling confused or realized only way after that he had skipped to another time period.

[Chrys Brobbey]

Hi Kel, I've also reviewed this book in the past. The story is really metaphysical, and it is written in such a way that it is difficult to decipher the meaning. 'Raquel' is actually a figment of the author's imagination; she only exists as an alter ego (a parallel) of the author to enable him to live in two places at the same time. That satisfied his longing to live in Spain while he was actually living in Israel, where he felt marginalized. I like your review very much, as it shows different perspectives.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

That actually makes a lot of sense, I mean in the beginning the author explains how Mois "creates" Raquel. I guess I was in way over my head with this book That actually reminds me of when he explained how when faced with a decision about which route or path to take, he would take one and imagine going down the other, and at upon arriving at his destination it would be like he had lived both possibilities. Thank you so much for explaining Chrys, you've helped me make sense of a lot!

[EMoffat]

Great review! I like your analysis about the timelines intertwining. I also read and reviewed this book, and I agree it is very hard to follow. Even at the end I couldn't decide if Racquel was fictional or not!

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

I know right! At times she was portrayed as a real person (for example, Mois and corresponds with her via email), in other places she sounds like a figment of his imagination. Thanks a ton for reading my review, its my first one and I'm still learning.

[Tanaya]

I appreciate that you shared positives about the book, balancing out the fair criticisms that you present. Well done

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Thank You Tanaya

[John Cand]

A very honest and interesting review!
Mois' books all seem to have such awesome premises and at times he does touch my mind and heart with his writing but there is a lack of professional editing in all of the copies that I have read of his books that I am not looking forward to reading anything else by him.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Very true, I feel the same, not reading anything by him anytime soon either! Thank you for reading my review John, I appreciate it.

[Izesicle]

Reading the review, I was entranced by your words so I wanted to read the book. My favorite part was love being an active constructive force. However, I agree that the cover is unappealing and does not look professionally done. Given your review, I will not read the book.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Wow that means a lot to me Izesicle. Thank you for your encouraging words.