I have actually read this novel before for a NELC class on Middle Eastern Literature, the topic of which was "Conflict through the eyes of the Author." I remember really enjoying this book because of the almost informal and light-hearted manner in which it is written. The author, Suad Amiry, uses a large amount of humor in portraying the cynical and illogical experiences of everyday Palestinians living in the West Bank. I think the contrast is effective in making more obvious to the readers the absolute absurdity of some of the things that Palestinians must deal with on an everyday basis, for example, going to get gas masks at six in the morning. I think humor is a tool used quite frequently as a means to deal with an otherwise extremely depressing situation.
The chapter about the dog needing an ID was equally as humorous / cynical. She tricks the Israeli soldier by saying the dog is from Jerusalem so he doesn't need an ID, and he is so perplexed he just lets her through. This situation is so obviously ridiculous from the point of a soldier requiring an animal to have an ID, but sadly these types of situations are so much more common for Palestinians than people realize. And moreover, they are usually unsuccessful in their endeavors.
I like Suad Amiry's writing style of incorporating so much humor into relating her experiences living in the West Bank; it is a welcome relief from fact-based, and "to the point" writings. However, I wonder which style of writing is more effective in getting the message across. For me personally, I enjoy reading more poignant renditions of conflict without the use of humor, for example, White Masks by Elias Khoury. This novel relates the Lebanese Civil War and particular individuals' experiences, such as a father losing his son in the war, and a young woman constantly beat by her husband. Obviously these types of things are much more unpleasant in reading about, but I think these messages need to be conveyed realistically to others so that they do not go ignored.
The chapter about the dog needing an ID was equally as humorous / cynical. She tricks the Israeli soldier by saying the dog is from Jerusalem so he doesn't need an ID, and he is so perplexed he just lets her through. This situation is so obviously ridiculous from the point of a soldier requiring an animal to have an ID, but sadly these types of situations are so much more common for Palestinians than people realize. And moreover, they are usually unsuccessful in their endeavors.
I like Suad Amiry's writing style of incorporating so much humor into relating her experiences living in the West Bank; it is a welcome relief from fact-based, and "to the point" writings. However, I wonder which style of writing is more effective in getting the message across. For me personally, I enjoy reading more poignant renditions of conflict without the use of humor, for example, White Masks by Elias Khoury. This novel relates the Lebanese Civil War and particular individuals' experiences, such as a father losing his son in the war, and a young woman constantly beat by her husband. Obviously these types of things are much more unpleasant in reading about, but I think these messages need to be conveyed realistically to others so that they do not go ignored.
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