GB

An Australian Journey into a cultural difference

Reviewed: 09-30-24

I bought this title because the questions about what it is to be Palestine are topical at the moment, Second what does it mean to be Muslim in rural Australia?

The book has perhaps two main themes alienation and assimilation. There is no question that the characters are Australian and willy nilly assimilated into the larger society. However, and this is the fascinating bit, they are determined, or perhaps just compelled, to do so on their own terms. That is for me what moves the story from a tale of a stranger in a strange land to a heroic one of give and take. Contributing without surrender.

The level of writing is not overly challenging. The characters are unevenly developed and the story is an old fashioned one of love and society. It is all told from a Muslim perspective without being didactic or confusing. Everything that happens is natural without apology or too much emphasis or explanation. This is what lifts it from a “ Muslim Bridgeton in the Outback” to a great story that plucks at the non-Muslim reader and engages and fascinates.

The way the police are dealt with seems superficial till one remembers that it describe a particular experience that to others might be pedestrian.

The writing itself is somewhat top heavy with an endless flow of adjectives and metaphors. That is why four stars instead of five. It brings the story dangerously close to melodrama at times. However the author always saves the day just in time averting the characters becoming a parody.

I think this is a very relevant insight into what it is to be a minority culture in Australia. It’s always a novel and never preachy or ideologically moribund. I can recommend it as a great read that will give the reader entertainment and something to think about.

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A fascinating story , lacklustre Characters.

Reviewed: 09-18-24

The book is written by a master story teller at the height of her powers. I flows beautifully dealing with a range of related topics all sewn into a big tapestry. It covers too many human aspects and themes to be easily summarised but basically it has a single uniting commonality that weaves it together. I don’t believe in spoilers so I’ll let the reader find out for themselves.

There is plenty of information to learn and psychological commentary to fascinate. However, there is for me one major flaw, albeit not a fatal one: The characters are dreary they are all unhappy all depressed and all living in a glum state. Which becomes irritating and eventually boring given that they all live in lively exciting worlds with opportunity always knocking.

This must have been a deliberate choice by the author. I found it wearying but the story and the their world was fascinating enough to make me want to continue.

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Vampyres and Shakespeare

Reviewed: 08-21-24

I’m am not this series demographic let’s be clear. Vampire stories don’t usually engage me. This story held my interest because despite the fact that it is delivered in a somewhat Shakespearean mode the characters are well portrayed by the actors to infuse them with life enough to keep me going. Which I suppose is what vampire stories are about.

There is not too much depth to the tale but lots of human interaction for an voice radio play type series it’s pretty good

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A Fascinating read / listen despite itself

Reviewed: 02-05-24

This book is excellently written and brilliantly performed. There is no question the writer is a major talent and a master of his art. It has two weaknesses first the end is visible from the beginning. Second it’s not an original tale the activistic safety of the antique confronting the fear of the new inevitable remoulding the society and world of the hero is a story that has been told a thousand times. As the Persian myth tells us this too shall pass. The problem is that hero-narrator is paralysed with self doubt and fear of stepping into the stream to the point where he appears hopeless as he fails to embrace anything with conviction.

That said the book is in its own way brilliant. Succinctly leading one on a kaleidoscopic journey where the readeris forced to confront the questions and feelings that the narrator spends his time dodging. Therein lies the power of the writer. I recommend everyone read this book. It might be weird but it does not disappoint.

The reader is also amazing they embrace the character and have an authenticity of delivery that holds my attention

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A Long Panegyric for a Tryant

Reviewed: 01-25-24

This has to be the one of the least convincing eulogies for a rather brutal autocrat and usurper I have come across. But let’s leave that aside the literary experience is not based on the judgment of the character herself. This Is a very long but, one get the feeling, superficial journey though the life of one of history’s more controversial characters. Rather than an analysis of her character and political machinations we are treated to an endless recitation of her opulence and finery and apparent good taste. Her alleged successes are lauded and her many faults and defeats are brushed under the carpet. Furthermore and very eccentrically, we are treated to long series anecdotes about the luxurious surroundings in which this all took place. And being offered the Dowager Empress’s own propaganda and polemics as proof of justified actions is not convincing.

Even the most gentle and forgiving tone in which the story is related can’t cover up the fact that one is dealing and irascible, pompous and impetuous personality. Happy to usurp murder and steal on a whim. That are not fatal flaws in a despot but it does make the narrative unconvincing

I imagine there are other more informative assessments of her reign available,

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Brief but engaging

Reviewed: 02-07-23

This is not going to make you an expert on eastern thought. This will give an everyday insight in eastern ideas.
It is very accessible well presented by a likeable guy. Who is careful to put a positive light on things. I recommend it for all people starting out.

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A serious subject given a tea cake makeover

Reviewed: 11-30-22

The subject of Zwi Migdal (also known as Undzer Shitk, I’m told) is one seldom broached and less acknowledged but one that is deserving of serious study and analysis.
This book tells the story of one of its victims with a very light brush giving a watercolour vision of what must have been a living hell for those involved. It’s a well written romance novel that uses a horrible setting involving persecution of Jews byJews. 10/10 to the writer for broaching the subject. The weakness is not lack of talent. The Story is well read and one hopes that it might inspire others to look more deeply into this horrible period.

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1 person found this helpful

Great tale with a very dubious grasp of facts

Reviewed: 05-23-21

This course is well presented and well argued. It’s biggest fault is it poor grasp of historical fact .
His description of Athenian democracy seems quite fanciful. His description of Spartan having democracy is even more curious.
His description of Rome’s early government and development is eccentric.
I’m sure that the USA wishes it had been the first country to recognise Israel but everybody knows it was the USSR no matter how many times you repeat otherwise.
Despite these and many other idiosyncratic views it is well presented.
But he is a great speaker and I did listen to the end with interest. I came to understand quite a bit about the American view of history and itself.

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A world of depressed people.

Reviewed: 02-24-20

The thing that stand out is everybody is depressed. The author describes people as ‘sad’ about once a page. One gets the impression that instead of questing and sacrificing themselves, which they do regularly they might all benefit more from Prozac or the magical equivalent.
That aside it’s a great book with a good story.

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Very good story

Reviewed: 02-13-20

This book is interesting because it is a little puzzling at first. It takes a long time to get the hang of the characters and the nature of the world constantly changes as more is revealed.
All in all the tone is very YA. The characters dont enter into any grown up or even adolescent interactions with each other. Once gets used to the 1950s bobby sox style it becomes more interesting. Of course the warrior/ warlike nature of the world leads to some anomilies with the character squeaky cleanness so that it reads like a medieval chivelry romance but I I found that more amusing than troublesome.
The reading is very good though the readers ever masculine voice trying to be female now and them makes the women sound a bit zomboid but again its not terrible.
All in all I was fascinated enough t want to read more.

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