Tasting the Sky

A Palestinian Childhood

208 pages

English language

Published July 22, 2016 by St. Martin's Press.

ISBN:
978-1-250-09718-7
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Refugee lost in the system

I'm always impressed when someone can piece together early memories, in this case ages 3-7, into a coherent story. Of course in this one the historical traumas pierce through moments of early childhood, making them more clear and more painful.

The main story is like holding a small child's hand and listening to all they have to say. It's lovely and sad and hopeful. Some moments are beautiful and some terrifying. This quote stands out, right before a terrifying story of the power imbalance of being surrounded by occupying soldiers:

"Summer passed, erasing the last traces of wildflowers and green grass. Migrating birds appeared as though barrels of confetti had been poured across the sky and swirled in endless formations. I waved to them." (160)

But I think the beginning, being a teenager on a bus and being stopped at a checkpoint by soldiers, is most powerful …