
Before asking my readers for advice on books I should read, I visited Jew Wishes, a Jewish-themed blog kept by a friend of mine. She has a page entitled Books read in 2009 which contains thorough book reviews. Her review of My Father’s Paradise caugt my attention.
The book seemed to be exactly what I was looking for: Jewish history mingled with personal stories, family relationships, Middle-East history, the making of Israel and languages (the family spoke Aramaic).
In addition, the raving reviews on Amazon.com seemed promising. So I decided to order the book and started it last week.
When he became a father himself, Ariel Sabar suddenly became interested in his father’s past; a past he had tried to ignore when growing up in L.A. He decided to stop working as a journalist and embarked on a journey through memories, photos and interviews as well as trips to Iraqi Kurdistan.
Ariel Sabar’s book follows a chronological line: it starts with his grandparents Rahanim and Miriam, then focuses on his father Yona (the last boy to be bar-mitzvaed in Zakho – their hometown) and ends a few years ago. When Ariel Sabar was not sure what had happened, he relied on what he understood of what people had told him to fill the gaps.
This book is a tour de force in that it skilfully combines factual information on the Jewish community of Kurdistan and its fate with Yona’s individual destiny. It is certainly the best book I have read in the past few months and one I highly recommend.
For another great review of My Father’s Paradise click here.
Thank you for the link, sweet friend.
Your review is wonderful. I am glad to see that you enjoyed the book.
Your review is wonderful
Thanks but it is not as thorough as yours.
Maybe I’ll read it. Our rabbi’s family is originally from Iraq, though he was born in India and grew up in England.
Leora, I think you would enjoy it. Your rabbi’s family story seems fascinating.
Our whole synagogue is full of people with amazing stories. Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Libya, Morroco, India…name any country where there were Jews, and someone from Etz Ahaim has an ancestor from that country.
Some members put together a book with interviews: http://www.leoraw.com/blog/2007/12/voices-of-etz-ahaim/ (Voices of Etz Ahaim)
Thanks again for the review of Sabar’s book. Maybe I’ll recommend it to our library.
I’m so glad you liked it. My book club is about to read it soon and I’m so looking forward to sharing it with more readers.
Marie, I have added a link to your own review.
Leora, the book you mention looks very interesting. Through the link you’ve provided I also discovered that your rabbi’s shiurim can be downloaded. I’ll put a few on my Ipod. Thanks a lot.
Our rabbi would be very happy to learn that! He loves teaching.
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