Review by SunnyM -- Gates to Tangier by Mois Benarroch
-
SunnyM
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 05:17
- Currently Reading: Call Me Pomeroy
- Bookshelf Size: 3
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sunnym.html
- Latest Review: Gates to Tangier by Mois Benarroch
Review by SunnyM -- Gates to Tangier by Mois Benarroch
[Following is a volunteer review of "Gates to Tangier" by Mois Benarroch.]
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
After the death of the father in the jewish family Benzimra, the family gathers at a lawyer’s office to read out the will. In this testament it is revealed that the father had an illegitimate child with a muslim mother in Morocco. For the proceeds of the will to be given, this son has to be found. The rest of the story tells the sisters’ and brothers’ search for their unknown half bother. They Benzimra family travels all around the world to finish their little ‘quest’.
Each chapter is from the point of view of the different siblings from the different places they are located in. It allows you into the mind and thoughts of the characters. However there is no retelling, and it all goes on from where the previous person left it. Yet, you never get to fully know the characters, and therefor don’t feel much of an attachment to them. The switching between both the characters and third and first point of view only gives me an incomplete picture of the story.
It seems like Benarroch has chosen to write the book poetically. For someone that is already familiarized and used to that style of writing, reading it will be pleasant and fascinating. Getting a hang of the rhythm and flow would make the reading quite easier. Contrarily to those who aren’t too much acquainted to this style, me included, might find it more challenging and somewhat difficult to understand.
Personally, I found the story to be very slow, repetetive and difficult to get into. It did not have the ‘wow’ factor that I hoped for, and was, not going to lie, quite boring. Occasionally I would zone out while reading, and at times I had to go back and reread the last paragraph or even few last pages to understand what the author was trying to get across. The dialogs were sometimes very cringeworthy and strange. It was messy, and in the end I wasn’t fully sure about what had been going on in the story. I hate putting down a book halfway through, so I forced myself to finish it, but it was not very enjoyable at all.
Honestly, there was not much that I liked about the book. What was somewhat interesting was the relationships between the different characters and people throughout the story. There is a possibility to find a character that you might feel slightly connected to and relate to. The book talked about the consistent issues jews have been through throughout history, as well as putting light on the constant conflict between religions. This was the reason I had picked up the book; to get some insight into the Jewish culture and struggles. But the book seems to be written for those who are already familiar with this, leaving others puzzled.
The book does not seem to be professionally edited, and has some spelling errors. The quality seems low and can’t see myself absolutely recommending this to someone. But it might be an interesting, fun and insightful read for some. All in all I therefor give it the rating 2 out of 4 stars, as it wasn’t a fun read personally, but might be for others.
******
Gates to Tangier
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like SunnyM's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
After the death of the father in the jewish family Benzimra, the family gathers at a lawyer’s office to read out the will. In this testament it is revealed that the father had an illegitimate child with a muslim mother in Morocco. For the proceeds of the will to be given, this son has to be found. The rest of the story tells the sisters’ and brothers’ search for their unknown half bother. They Benzimra family travels all around the world to finish their little ‘quest’.
Each chapter is from the point of view of the different siblings from the different places they are located in. It allows you into the mind and thoughts of the characters. However there is no retelling, and it all goes on from where the previous person left it. Yet, you never get to fully know the characters, and therefor don’t feel much of an attachment to them. The switching between both the characters and third and first point of view only gives me an incomplete picture of the story.
It seems like Benarroch has chosen to write the book poetically. For someone that is already familiarized and used to that style of writing, reading it will be pleasant and fascinating. Getting a hang of the rhythm and flow would make the reading quite easier. Contrarily to those who aren’t too much acquainted to this style, me included, might find it more challenging and somewhat difficult to understand.
Personally, I found the story to be very slow, repetetive and difficult to get into. It did not have the ‘wow’ factor that I hoped for, and was, not going to lie, quite boring. Occasionally I would zone out while reading, and at times I had to go back and reread the last paragraph or even few last pages to understand what the author was trying to get across. The dialogs were sometimes very cringeworthy and strange. It was messy, and in the end I wasn’t fully sure about what had been going on in the story. I hate putting down a book halfway through, so I forced myself to finish it, but it was not very enjoyable at all.
Honestly, there was not much that I liked about the book. What was somewhat interesting was the relationships between the different characters and people throughout the story. There is a possibility to find a character that you might feel slightly connected to and relate to. The book talked about the consistent issues jews have been through throughout history, as well as putting light on the constant conflict between religions. This was the reason I had picked up the book; to get some insight into the Jewish culture and struggles. But the book seems to be written for those who are already familiar with this, leaving others puzzled.
The book does not seem to be professionally edited, and has some spelling errors. The quality seems low and can’t see myself absolutely recommending this to someone. But it might be an interesting, fun and insightful read for some. All in all I therefor give it the rating 2 out of 4 stars, as it wasn’t a fun read personally, but might be for others.
******
Gates to Tangier
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like SunnyM's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Gates to Tangier by Mois Benarroch
