My Father's Paradise by Ariel Sabar

Review and Giveaway

My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar

Non-fiction, Algonquin Books, 334 pgs.

This is a guest post written by Colleen of Foreign Circus Library.

Though Ariel Sabar may regret that his relationship with his father was so contentious, readers have cause to rejoice because that fractured relationship led Sabar to pen this elegant tale of his father's life and language.

Yona Sabar, a Jewish Kurd, grew up speaking Aramaic, an ancient language now all but lost. He is also a celebrated linguist who has worked tirelessly to document his language before it dies. This book traces that effort, weaving a colorful tapestry of Jewish life in Iraq, Kurdish life in Israel, and immigrant life in America.

Though the portions of the book dealing with Ariel himself were less compelling, the tales of Yona's early life in Kurdistan are hypnotic- I had a difficult time putting this book down. The writing is excellent and the character of Yona breathes throughout the book. The book is never technical about linguistics; the story of Yona's work is presented as I believe he experienced it- a treasure hunt generating excitement with each new clue.

Five stars. Highly recommended!

Thank you Colleen, I thought it was an excellent book too. Thank you to Algonquin Books for the ARC they sent. I am offering it to one of my readers. To enter:

1)Tell us the best book of Jewish interest you've read, fiction or non-fiction.

2)Blog about this giveaway and put a link back to it and I'll give you a second entry. If you don't have a blog, email 3 friends telling them about this giveaway and copying me at sfuhringer (at) sympatico (dot) ca.

Entry is open worldwide until midnight Sunday February 8, 2009.Be sure to leave an email address if you don't have a blog where I can contact you.

Winner will be announced on Monday February 9, 2009.

This giveaway is part of the Bloggy Carnival. Check it out for other giveaways.

The Dawning of the Day: A Jerusalem Tale by Haim Sabato - Review

The Dawning of the Day: A Jerusalem Tale

by Haim Sabato

Paperback, 183 pgs.

Toby Press August 2008

An inspiring tale of a simple Jewish man who lives his faith through everything he does in the normal routines of his day in the Sephardic community of Jerusalem. Even while Ezra Siman Tov cleans and presses prayer shawls in a laundry he feels close to the faith of those wear them, usually young grooms whose brides have given them as the traditional wedding gift. As the secular world slowly erodes the traditional ways of his old neighborhood, he continues to love God and Torah. He is known to everyone as a storyteller and is surrounded in life by holy and sometimes eccentric characters who are accustomed to stopping him and saying "Ezra, tell us a story!"

Viewed as a pious man by others, Ezra does not feel that he is because he carries a secret sin and is burdened with the heart-breaking loss of a daughter he does not speak of. Ultimately this is a love story, the love between a man and his God who comforts him through all things. A story for everyone, religious or not, for who is not fed by the things of the spirit? The writing is beautiful. The story is poignant, tender, perfect. Five stars out of five. Highly recommended.

Haim Sabato is an Israeli author who writes in Hebrew. His previous two novels, Aleppo Tales and Adjusting Sights have also been translated into English.

Thank you to Toby Press and LibraryThing for providing a review copy.

If you have read or reviewed any books by this author please leave comments or links. I would love to read them.

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