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Barbara S. (Gig Harbor, WA)
Fencing within Families?
I have read several earlier works of Abu-Jaber's books and always enjoyed them. I did eagerly read this one and her plot keeps the reader engaged to the end, involving a lot of family history and interrelationships which all families can relate to. Abu-Jaber also throws in a lot of Middle East political history which was a good backdrop to the events of the story. The ending was a bit weak in its denouement, but did not detract from the reader's engagement with the book and perhaps left it open for some thought and discussion if used for a book club selection.
Kay D. (Strongsville, OH)
Family Saga with Mystery and Intrigue
Rich prose, diverse characters and a story-line with lots of twists and turns. A little bit mystery, some political intrigue and a look inside Jordan, a country I knew little about. Lots of family sagas and how one's family impacts their life, even when divided between countries.
I liked how the author began the book in Jordan and then provided the backstory of the main character, Amani, and her father Gabe who are visiting from America. Amani is using this trip to learn about her heritage and members of her family that she either hasn't seen in a long time or never knew. Following clues she finds, she discovers
…more more about her family and about herself than she expects.
A good read, with beautiful writing and a pulling sense of mystery that keeps the reader engaged. (less)Fencing with the King by Diana Abu-Jabar opens with a falconry exhibition that is part of the King of Jordan's 60th Birthday. The descriptions of the pageantry and culture of the country are part of the novel's appeal. The author winds past and present history, as well as politics, culture and family dynamics to form the fabric of the novel. The characters are not particularly well drawn, but the reader comes to understand them and the complicated family dynamics through the back story that weaves the novel together.
Certainly the country of Jordan, its desert geography, culture and secrets is a main character
…more in the novel. So much so that it leaves the reader wanting more information. The inclusion of maps specific to Jordan and the greater levant as well as a more detailed history would have been helpful.
This novel will appeal to many, especially Book Clubs. It flows easily and provides the reader a glimpse into a country and culture that to this day remains mysterious and intriguing. (less)Gently unfolding story of family jealousies, ambition and greed based in the mid-90's Jordan and New York. Diverse relationships between adult children and their parents are well-drawn as is the role of memory. Great desert setting descriptions - I could feel the sand in my teeth. The love stories (parent/child, husbands/wives, second romance) adds depth to characters. Learned a lot about the history of Jordan, a plus.
Jazzmin G. (Ashland, OR)
Lost in history
I enjoyed the characters in this book, but often times the historical elements took me away from the story. I am an avid historical fiction reader because I love to learn about other cultures, but the way it would interrupt the story for the history was hard to follow and I found myself wanting to scan through a lot of those moments which isn't like me at all. I like the author's flow, just wish that it hadn't had the lingering feeling.
Kathrin C. (Corona, CA)
Fencing with the King
Diana Abu-Jaber is certainly an accomplished writer who uses strong descriptive prose, good pacing and continually elevates the tension that drives the underlying family mystery. I enjoyed learning more about Middle East history, politics, and their effects on women's roles throughout Jordanian society in current times. The story also explores immigrants' elusive ties to their heritage and homeland long after they've left their original place of birth in interesting ways. The novel is very readable, but I did not find the plot or Amani, the central character, believable - especially in the second half of the
…more book. That said, I would still be willing to give another one of Abu-Jaber's novels a try. (less)My ancestry steeped in Middle Eastern history, culture and stories led me to select this book to review. If you are interested or connected to the area you will probably be likely to find much of this book strikes a chord with you also. I found many of the vocabulary words and titles of address to be like the words we used in my family— words like SITTEE- grandmother. Also foods like Zatar and traditions such as attitudes toward women are typical in my American/ Middle Eastern family.
Historically, I found that I would have to be a lot more savvy to keep up with the historical, political affairs going on in the
…more novel. That is not to say the
Novel can't be understood without this information because it really isn't necessary to the regular reader.
The regular reader might be more interested In the romance and intrigue going on within the family- these things pretty much are like any family's problems but with a middle Eastern twist.
This is not a fast moving novel but slowly develops through extensive description of scenery, culture, and psychological examination. Description of the desert and metaphorical insights through this description are prominent. Also a detailed description of the sword fight, which is the point of the the title,is primary.
This is a pretty typical story of an American poet drawn to investigate her heritage and family in the Middle East. Following some not too mysterious clues, some of which never made sense to this reader, she is also led to find out much about herself. Don't look for any surprises or twists. It is straight forward and fairly predictable. (less)I have enjoyed some of of Diana Abu-Jabar's other novels but this one is terribly disappointing. She tosses out lots of modern Jordanian and Middle East political info but much of it is lost on the reader. The "mystery" is about as obvious as it can get. The only truly interesting storyline is the conflict between the two brothers and it never really comes to a satisfying conclusion. I suppose the main character is Amani (a struggling poet) yet she is completely underdeveloped and I felt I did not know her any better at novel's end than I did at the start. To avoid a spoiler, I will just say that the romance
…more element in the book felt childish and unrealistic. And don't think you are going to learn much about the ancient art of fencing. (less)
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