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Mornings in Jenin


Synopsis


A heart-wrenching, powerfully written novel: a Kite Runner for Palestine 'One of the most thought-provoking books I've read ... written with passion and honesty, and poetry' Daily Mail Mornings in Jenin is a devastating novel of love and loss, war and oppression, and heartbreak and hope, spanning five countries and four generations of one of the most intractable conflicts of our lifetime. Palestine, 1948. Half a million Palestinians are forced from their homes. A mother clutches her six-month-old son as Israeli soldiers march through the village of Ein Hod. In a split second, her son is snatched from her arms and the fate of the Abulheja family is changed forever. Forced into a refugee camp in Jenin and exiled from the ancient village that is their lifeblood, the family struggles to rebuild their world. Their stories unfold through the eyes of the youngest sibling, Amal, the daughter born in the camp who will eventually find herself alone in the United States; the eldest son who loses everything in the struggle for freedom; the stolen son who grows up as an Israeli, becoming an enemy soldier to his own brother. 'The writer's pain - and the beauty of her prose - are very real' Telegraph

Susan Abulhawa

Summary

Chapter 1: The Olive Harvest

* Describes the olive harvest in the village of Jenin, West Bank.
* Example: "The breeze carried the sweet smell of fresh oil, mixed with the pungent odor of ripe olives being crushed. Men and women worked side by side, their hands stained purple from the fruit."

Chapter 2: The Martyr's Daughter

* Focuses on Amal, a Palestinian woman whose brother was killed by Israeli soldiers.
* Example: "Amal's face was etched with a mixture of grief and defiance. She held her head high as she walked through the crowded market, her eyes scanning the scene for any sign of danger."

Chapter 3: The Wedding

* Depicts a wedding in Jenin, capturing the joy and resilience of the Palestinian people.
* Example: "The bride and groom danced under a canopy of pink and white flowers, laughter and music filling the air. Despite the hardships they faced, their spirit remained unbroken."

Chapter 4: The Settler

* Explores the complex relationship between Palestinians and Israeli settlers.
* Example: "The settler's house stood on a hill overlooking the village, a symbol of the encroaching occupation. The Palestinians watched with growing resentment as their land was being taken over."

Chapter 5: The Checkpoint

* Highlights the daily reality of living under Israeli military occupation.
* Example: "Amal waited patiently at the checkpoint, her body rigid with tension. Soldiers searched her bag, confiscating her ID card. The fear and humiliation she felt was a constant reminder of her oppression."

Chapter 6: The School

* Examines the importance of education for Palestinian children.
* Example: "The children's laughter and chatter filled the classroom, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the hardships. They studied with determination, knowing that education was their key to a better future."

Chapter 7: The Night Raid

* Describes an Israeli military raid on Jenin, leaving a trail of destruction and fear.
* Example: "As dawn broke, the village bore the scars of the night. Buildings were damaged, cars burned, and families were left homeless. The raid had shattered their sense of security."

Chapter 8: The Mother

* Depicts the strength and resilience of Palestinian mothers.
* Example: "Sara stood outside her destroyed home, holding her injured child in her arms. Despite her own pain and loss, she remained steadfast in her determination to protect her family."

Chapter 9: The Return

* Explores the experiences of refugees who return to Jenin after decades of exile.
* Example: "Mustafa had spent his entire life in a refugee camp in Lebanon. When he finally returned to Jenin, he was filled with both joy and sorrow. He had come home, but it was not the home he remembered."

Chapter 10: The Morning

* Provides a glimpse of hope and renewal as the sun rises on Jenin.
* Example: "As the morning light spread over the village, the sound of birdsong filled the air. The people of Jenin emerged from their homes, their hearts filled with a mix of determination and resilience. The future lay ahead, and they were ready to face it with dignity and courage."