Louis Arpino

The author has written a wonderful novel which can be read at so many levels. At its base level this is a book about two women who form an incredible bond under the most improbable conditions. There is nothing to not love about their story. At a higher level, woven through their relationship, is seventy eight years of misunderstanding and hate which is the fuel feeding the fire of "The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict". The author exposes the harsh reality of the "half truths" which perpetuate this conflict through the obstacles which all of her characters are called upon to overcome. Only one disappointment comes when you read the Author's Acknowledgements. Other than a polite thank-you to two Arabs who helped her with the Arabic language, she acknowledges no Arab involvement in the development of her novel, a Freudian lapse which is totally incongruent to the uplifting last chapter in her otherwise excellent work.