All the Rivers

by Dorit Rabinyan

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org

*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Pub Date Mar 02 2017 | Archive Date Mar 22 2017

Serpent's Tail / Profile Books | Serpent's Tail

Literary Fiction | Romance

Description

A chance encounter in New York brings two strangers together: Liat is an idealistic translation student, Hilmi a talented young painter. Together they explore the city, share fantasies, jokes and homemade meals, and fall in love. There is only one problem: Liat is from Israel, Hilmi from Palestine. Keeping their deepening relationship secret, the two lovers build an intimate universe for two in this city far from home. But outside reality can only be kept at bay for so long. After a tempestuous visit from Hilmi's brother, cracks begin to form in the relationship, and their points of difference - Liat's military service, Hilmi's hopes for Palestine's future - threaten to overwhelm their shared present. When they return separately to their divided countries, Liat and Hilmi must decide whether to keep going, or let go. A prizewinning bestseller, but banned in Israeli schools for its frank and tender depiction of a taboo relationship, this is the deeply affecting story of two people trying to bridge one of the most deeply riven borders in the world.

A chance encounter in New York brings two strangers together: Liat is an idealistic translation student, Hilmi a talented young painter. Together they explore the city, share fantasies, jokes and...

Advance Praise

'A fine, subtle and disturbing study of the ways in which public events encroach upon the private lives of those who attempt to live and love in peace with each other, and, impossibly, with a riven and irreconcilable world.' John Banville

'I stand with Dorit Rabinyan. Love, not hate, will save us. Hatred sows hatred, but love can break down barriers.' Svetlana Alexievich, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature

'Even the (asymmetrical) tragedy of the two peoples does not overwhelm this precise and elegant love story, drawn with the finest of lines ... Astonishing.' Amos Oz

'Rabinyan is a generous writer who puts her characters first... Rabinyan's writing reflects the honesty and modesty of a true artisan. She is meticulous, to be sure, but at the same time she doesn't appear to be straining, and this is what sets someone like her apart from those who merely practice the craft of writing.' Dorit Shilo, Ha’aretz

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781781257647
PRICE	£9.99 (GBP)

Additional Information

Average rating from 5 members

See all member reviews

Featured Reviews

Yvonne B, Reviewer

This is a good book, but at times the romantic aspect felt a little flat, this could be down to the translation. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship between Liat and Hilmi. The way that two different cultures see each other to the point where their relationship is kept a secret, and how political and relogious differences are discussed was very good.

Was this review helpful?

kATHLEEN G, Reviewer

This book carries the burden of having been banned (geez) so that might raise your expectations. Take the politics and preconceptions out and this is a basic love story. The language is restrained, the romance cautious, and the couple not wholly unique but Hilmi and Liat are a couple you'll want to succeed. Rabinyan does justice to her settings, especially New York, and to her characters. This isn't a long or dramatic book but it's worth your time. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC.