This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Israela by Batya Casper is the story of an Israeli journalist, Ratiba, who marries her childhood love, an Israeli Arab who is not aware that she is Jewish. Ratiba has no contact with her family. Her sisters, Elisheva and Orit, miss her a lot. The story takes us from 1955 to 1983 and spans several generations.
The story is very interesting. It takes readers to the world of Arabs and Jews and gives an overview of their cultures and lifestyles. The passion, complexities, and intermingling of two different cultures is handled well by the author. The characters, Ratiba, her Arab husband, two sisters, and two sons, have been developed well. All the characters are unusual and the book immerses readers deeply in the history of Israel and the Arabs. Readers can learn about different cultures and history and experience something unique and new.
The backdrop of Israel makes the story heart wrenching. The book speaks about the loyalty, different cultures, love, and pain that exist in a family. The relationship between Arabs and Jews also forms an integral part of the story. Ratiba's sisters and children also add to the interesting tapestry. The characters and narration are colorful and descriptive. You feel for the people suffering in the war-torn country. The agonies, the joys, and the sufferings they go through living in a war zone is captured well. It is a very original and honest story that should be read by all.
