There isn't much for me to add that hasn't already been stated in previous reviews. It's touching and poignant and well worth diving into if you enjoy stories of lives well lived. I admittedly struggled with some of the pieces that touched on Jewish customs and the plight of people during years past (and sadly still in years current). But it really was a beautiful story with lots to learn and think about.

Although this is not my usual read, I really enjoyed this book! It follows dual timelines, and tells the stories of Yaqub and Saida who are Yemeni and meet in an immigration camp in Israel in 1950. The second timeline is set in 1995 and deals with Saida's daughter, Zohara, who has moved to the United States but returns to Israel when her mother dies.
I learned a lot through this book, and I will definetely be recommending it!

Told in dual timelines, Songs for the Brokenhearted tells the stories of Yaqub and Saida who are Yemeni and meet in an immigration camp in Israel in 1950. The second timeline is set in 1995 and deals with Saida's daughter, Zohara, who has moved to the United States but returns to Israel when her mother dies. We learn more about Yaqub and Saida as the book progresses, and Zohara learns more about her mother as she comes together with her family and clears out her mother's house. She has always had a distant and complicated relationship with her mother but begins to learn much more about her mother and the secrets she kept.

This book dealt with topics I honestly knew very little about, such as Yemen, Yemeni immigrants and culture in Israel, the Oslo Accords, Yemeni women's songs, and "disappeared children" from immigrant camps. Parents were told that their children had died but thousands of them were actually adopted out. Ayelet Tsabari has written a novel that tells truly interesting stories, ones that many people have never even heard about.

"If we're only relying on written history, what stories do we miss? What happens to the stories of people who were illiterate> To marginalized communities? Whose stories are written in history books? And who decides which stories to include?"

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on September 10, 2024.

A beautiful, transportive multi-generational novel, "Songs for the Brokenhearted" tells the story of Zohara, a young Yemeni Jewish woman in 1995 as she's confronted with news of the death of her mother Saida. Despite the physical and emotional distance she's placed between herself and her mother, Zohara flies back to her hometown in Sha'ariya, Israel and is reunited with the family and friends that she hasn't seen in decades. Over time, we learn more about Zohara and the events that have shaped her, including the complicated relationship she had with her mother and father; the tension that exists between her and her older sister Lizzie; and the bond that develops between her and her nephew Yoni. As Zohara begins to clean up her mother's belongings, she stumbles across a number of writings and tapes - many of which are recordings of her mother singing. These serve as a starting point for her as she begins to dig into her mother's past and tries to learn more about the person she was.

There's a second timeline that is woven in set in 1950 at Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel, an immigrant camp where thousands of Yemeni Jews have sought refuge following the events of the Holocaust. Yaqub is a young man who crosses path of Saida as she sings by the riverbank; immediately enamored, the two become closer despite the fact that Saida is married and is at the camp with her young son Rafael. It's also at this camp that Rafael disappears - just one of thousands of children that disappear from their families in these immigrant camps - and this loss reverberate years into the future.

There's so much that this novel covers and made clear to me how little I truly knew about these time periods. Tsabari covered how overlooked the disappearing children from the Israeli immigrant camps were and are, as well as the difficult conditions for residents. In more recent years, I also saw a different side to the Oslo Accords that were signed between Israel and the PLO, and the events and build up leading to the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. The writing is complex and well-structured, and I found myself equally invested in both Zohara's storyline as I was in Saida and Yaqub. A number of difficult themes and topics are also raised, including the historical (and sometimes present) treatment of women; fidelity in relationships; ethnicity and identity; and the role of songs and songwriting in tradition and history. And while there are elements of romance present in this novel, it is far from the main focus it; instead, we get to truly understand the protagonists and see the ways in which Zohara is able to understand and make amends with her mother even after her death.

Very much a recommended read when "Songs for the Brokenhearted" is released in September 2024!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Zahara has not seen home in many years. She gets a call from her sister that forces her to come home. While their, she notices many changes and is finding out secrets about her life that she never new. A good read.

This was such an interesting read in that I sadly was unaware of the Yemeni Jewish community— their history and culture, the immigration camps, the racism they faced and the Children Affair. The book also provided insight to the mid-1990s Oslo accords/protests and Rabin assassination as a backdrop to a sub-plot. But at its core, this is a story about how well do we really know our parents and their lives.

My favorite trip that my husband and I ever took was to Israel, so I was excited to read this book set there in 1950 and 1995. “Songs for the Brokenhearted” is a tender look at the lives of Yemeni Jews who immigrated to Israel. As you might guess from the title, music plays an integral part. Through the songs of Yemeni women, we learn about their lives, fears, battles, loves, hopes, and dreams. I loved learning about the Yemeni culture, a subject I knew nothing about.

The book goes back and forth between Zohara’s story in 1995 and her mother Saida’s story in 1950. It explores identity, heritage, religion, displacement, home, love, family, and women’s rights. The most poignant aspect of the book to me was the process of Zohara learning to understand her mother. It was a complicated relationship that—as is true in life—connected the two women in ways that surprised Zohara.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance reader copy.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
Zohara's mother has passed away and she leaves Thailand where she is hiding from the aftermath of a quick divorce to be with her family in Israel. This book goes into some of the historical issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict and shows part of the reasons why it's so difficult to achieve peace in that region. Zohara and her sister Lizzie (10 years older) have a difficult relationship. They find out more about their mother while cleaning out her house while the reader finds out more during this duo timeline story about a man their mother loved while she was in a loveless marriage. Lots going on in this book, but the author did an excellent job of keeping it interesting with the cast of characters. One line in the book really hit me hard with my sister passing away 4 years ago. We aren't supposed to post excerpts from ARCs so I won't put it here. Just know that the author must've lost someone close to them to be able to write such a heart-crushing line of sorrow. A worthwhile read.

Oh, how beautifully written this story was! At times, I had tears in my eyes. A very compelling tale of a daughter who moves from NYC once she found out the news of her mothers passing. Story takes place both in 1950 & 1995. I loved it. Hope to see more from Ayelet Tsabari.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC. Interesting story about Jewish families in Yemen, a subject I knew little about. Zahora returns to her homeland for her mother's funeral and starts realizing things about her mother's and her families history.

“Songs For The Brokenhearted” is filled with human emotion, and compassion. It’s historical, brilliant, intelligent, witty, warm, appetizing & scrumptious, passionate, psychologically astute, with stimulating bewitching characters…..
…..and a ‘very’ personal novel to me.
I was gushing crying at one part. My body was aching with sadness, love, and hope…..
…..a floodgate opened inside me. I couldn’t stop the racing thoughts and feelings.
My own memories came flooding back of the year I lived in Israel before during and after the Yom Kippur War in 1973. My ten days in a bomb shelter ….my kibbutz experience….my Haifa University experience….my visits to Jerusalem, the Old City, the Western Wall, the Marketplace, the Holocaust Remembrance Center, Tel Aviv, the Golan Heights, Tiberias, Eilat, The Dead Sea, walking the caves, hiking the Massada, …..my visits with my uncle who taught at the University of Jerusalem, (now deceased), with thoughts of my cousins who are still living in Israel now, and the ongoing horrors between the Israel-Hamas war.

Having absolutely loved two other books by Ayelet Tsabari . . .
[The Art of Leaving”, and “The Best Place On Earth”]….
and now loving “Songs For The Brokenhearted” ….. I will jump to read anything by this magnificent author.

Since 1948, 51,000 Jews emigrated to Israel from Yemen.
Our story is told in duo timelines.
It begins in 1950, where we meet Yaqub and Saida at the immigration camp, Mahane Olim Rosh HaAyin

“Saida and Yaqub both came from Haidan in North Yemen. Both were orphans. Both were young. He was just a boy. She was just a girl. They met at an all-Yemeni immigrant camp in Rosh HaAyin, once a British Air Force base, and now a large tent city. It was a new city built of hope, despair, dreams, and catastrophe of others, on an ancient land”.
Other camps like theirs were being built to accommodate Jewish immigrants… Hundreds and thousands from Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Iraq, Iran, Morocco.
Saida (with the gorgeous singing voice), and Yaqub, (a passionate writer and lover of books), meet and fall in love.

“Saida missed her home in the village in North Yemen, the fresh mountain air, the earthy incense that perfumed their mud houses, strong basil, and lemony shadhab; how it was always spring there, never this cold, never this damp. Maybe her Muslim friends were right, and this was a terrible idea.
And Yaqub had said, ‘Don’t say that. This is the place for us. This is the promised land we dreamt about. It will get better. You’ll see’”.

Note…the filth, poverty, and hunger at this camp was inhumane…

The other timeline advances is to 1995.
We meet Zohara Haddad, daughter of Saida.
Zohara was living in New York, working on her doctorate at NYU.
Her sister from Israel, Lizzie, called Zohara to tell her their mother has died and she needs to come home.
The last time Zohara returned home to Israel she was still married — to Zack.

The storytelling in each of timelines are equally compelling … each with sweetness….but also each with wounds.
We learn intricate details about each the characters, the family, history, cultural and religious configurations, political strife, and secrets that had been withheld for years.

There is talk about war - the Israel- Palestine conflict. There are demonstrations,, protest, arrests, and an assassination.
There are political-divide issues. Relationship issues.
Sisters Zohara and Lizzie (10 years apart in age), have struggled with their relationship most of their lives.

There are wonderful delicious moments….laughter …. and love.

Note….
I started getting a nostalgic for the Jewish holidays….
and hungry from all the mentions of foods….
….chicken with potatoes, Moroccan fish with cilantro and carrots, yummy rice….
Ha….I also wanted a schnitzel…..a joint…..and a rest on a hammock….
I wouldn’t mind a couple of those Ka’adid cookies either

Another Note…..thanks to Ayelet Tsabari …..I’ve added to more authors to read sooner - than later: (I’ve known of them)…..but haven’t read their book: Eli Amir and Roman Gary.
Ayelet mentioned author David Grossman (I’m already a huge fan and reads everything he writes).

Forgive this long review ….
Geee — I still have more I wish to say - discuss with other readers….
Its richness is significant.
Ayelet transcends time in the living experience….so much humanity.

In between chapters we are treated to some lovely poetry….
Here is one of them:
…..”If I were yours
And you were mine
If I were a raincloud
I’d quench your thirst.
If I were a bird with a
curly wing
I’d shelter you from
the hot sun
If I were grapes
strung on a vine
I’d squeeze the flesh
of my fruit
and pour juice into
your mouth
UNKNOWN YEMENI
POETESS

The beauty and emotional integrity in this novel strikes me to the core.

Ayelet Tsabari has such a beautiful writing style. I love the dueling timelines and Tsabari does it in a way that lets both timelines play off of one another while also being their own distinct story. Seeing how the times and how cultures have shifted throughout the years helped to shape the story and these characters in a way will move the reader throughout the story in an impactful way. This was a beautifully written story and has made Tsabari an author I want to see more from.

A compelling dual timeline tale of a Yemeni Jewish family who moves to the new state of Israel, and the contrasting world of the daughter, who lives in NYC in 1985, until she learns of her mother's death, then moves home to be with family. Poignant and heartbreaking.

Beautifully written and heartbreaking story that takes place in both 1950 and 1995. About a daughter who finds out her mother has passed. This book dives into the family’s story in an incredible, heartfelt way.