ISHMAEL'S ORANGES

Narrator Saul Reichlin lends a raspy voice to an emotional journey that spans the evolving Middle East of the late '40s and early '60s. Palestinians are tossed out of their homes, and Holocaust survivors are welcomed into their homeland. For Jude and Salim, young people who meet miles away from the disputed territory, nationalism is a growing barrier. They are a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, though their stakes are much higher than the infamous ill-fated lovers'. In this historical novel, not only are the sweethearts' families at war, so are their entire countries. Reichlin gives the older male characters deep voices and infuses the young Salim with hope. This is a heartfelt novel for those who wish to learn more about this extensive conflict. M.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2018]