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liv ❁'s Reviews > Minor Detail
Minor Detail
by
by
liv ❁'s review
bookshelves: palestine, favorites, translated, short, middle-east, bipoc
Nov 14, 2023
bookshelves: palestine, favorites, translated, short, middle-east, bipoc
"Besides, sometimes it's inevitable for the past to be forgotten, especially if the present is no less horrific."
Minor Detail is a small book broken up in two parts. In part I, we see the (true) story of a young Bedouin girl in 1950s Palestine being taken and raped, then murdered by Israeli soldiers. In part II, we follow a Palestinian journalist from Ramallah as she tries to learn more about this woman’s story.
Part I
The first part of this book is written in a detached third person voice. It seems like it from the journal entries of the Israeli soldier who found and abused the Bedouin girl. The horrific story of this girl isn't even on this guy's priority list and the disconnected tone makes it all the more haunting as you see how this terrible act is nothing but a minor detail in the lives of these soldiers. I found this first part a little disjointed and very hard to get through, but that was the point. This part is sickening and it’s even more sickening that it was real.
Part II
The second part of the book is written in the more personal first person, as we follow a young journalist who grows obsessed with this Bedouin girl's story solely because it happened 25 years before the day she was born. This story hits just as hard as we follow her in present day Palestine and observe all of the obstacles and dangers she faces when she is just trying to get a bit more information on something. We follow our main character as she goes from Ramallah to Tel Aviv and the many struggles she faces before she herself becomes a minor detail.
This book does exactly what it sets out to do perfectly. It is an exemplary example of how reading and writing is resistance. This book can also be read in about a day and I would implore everyone to give it a go. It's a hard read, but it is so important. Despite it's size, this is a book that will stick with me for a long time.
I would highly recommend to anyone based on the contents alone, but the fact that the author has been censured and unable to receive her reward at the Frankfurt Book Fair because of what is going on in Palestine makes it an incredibly important read right now.
Minor Detail is a small book broken up in two parts. In part I, we see the (true) story of a young Bedouin girl in 1950s Palestine being taken and raped, then murdered by Israeli soldiers. In part II, we follow a Palestinian journalist from Ramallah as she tries to learn more about this woman’s story.
Part I
The first part of this book is written in a detached third person voice. It seems like it from the journal entries of the Israeli soldier who found and abused the Bedouin girl. The horrific story of this girl isn't even on this guy's priority list and the disconnected tone makes it all the more haunting as you see how this terrible act is nothing but a minor detail in the lives of these soldiers. I found this first part a little disjointed and very hard to get through, but that was the point. This part is sickening and it’s even more sickening that it was real.
Part II
The second part of the book is written in the more personal first person, as we follow a young journalist who grows obsessed with this Bedouin girl's story solely because it happened 25 years before the day she was born. This story hits just as hard as we follow her in present day Palestine and observe all of the obstacles and dangers she faces when she is just trying to get a bit more information on something. We follow our main character as she goes from Ramallah to Tel Aviv and the many struggles she faces before she herself becomes a minor detail.
This book does exactly what it sets out to do perfectly. It is an exemplary example of how reading and writing is resistance. This book can also be read in about a day and I would implore everyone to give it a go. It's a hard read, but it is so important. Despite it's size, this is a book that will stick with me for a long time.
I would highly recommend to anyone based on the contents alone, but the fact that the author has been censured and unable to receive her reward at the Frankfurt Book Fair because of what is going on in Palestine makes it an incredibly important read right now.
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Reading Progress
October 17, 2023
– Shelved
October 17, 2023
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 26, 2023
–
Started Reading
November 2, 2023
–
19.0%
November 9, 2023
–
48.0%
November 14, 2023
– Shelved as:
palestine
November 14, 2023
– Shelved as:
favorites
November 14, 2023
–
Finished Reading
January 15, 2024
– Shelved as:
translated
January 15, 2024
– Shelved as:
short
January 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
middle-east
January 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
bipoc
Comments Showing 1-14 of 14 (14 new)
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Imme
(new)
Nov 15, 2023 04:15AM
Oh that sounds interesting and like it’s written with a pretty unique structure! Great review❤️
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Imme wrote: "Oh that sounds interesting and like it’s written with a pretty unique structure! Great review❤️"it truly is a stand out read!
Wow fantastic review. Didn't realize that about the author, that is so tragic. Will definitely read this next, thank you!
s.penkevich wrote: "Wow fantastic review. Didn't realize that about the author, that is so tragic. Will definitely read this next, thank you!"Yeah it is really upsetting. The upside is that a lot of people have been rallying behind her and reading her book, but I cannot imagine how upsetting this whole situation has been for her. I hope you enjoy the book! Can’t wait to see your thoughts on it.
Liv ❁ wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Wow fantastic review. Didn't realize that about the author, that is so tragic. Will definitely read this next, thank you!"Yeah it is really upsetting. The upside is that a lot..."
So upsetting. And that she was denied writing about a story that was true is even more alarming. Glad people are rallying to her support. That’s the second writer this week I’ve seen this happen too now. Was going to get the audiobook we have through the library but decided actually buying it is hopefully more supportive so I’ll get on this soon! Great review and thank you for raising awareness!
Excellent review, Liv. I read the book last month and I too greatly enjoyed it :)
Wonderful review Liv, thank you for bringing this book to my attention. I have added to my tbr 🙏🏻💖
I’m looking forward to getting to this one (eventually)!
Great review, Liv. I just added this to my tbr list. Stories like these deserve more attention.
Gaurav wrote: "Excellent review, Liv. I read the book last month and I too greatly enjoyed it :)"Thanks so much, Guarav! I’m glad you enjoyed it too!
Rebecca wrote: "Wonderful review Liv, thank you for bringing this book to my attention. I have added to my tbr 🙏🏻💖"Thank you so much, Rebecca! And I’m glad I could bring it to your attention! It’s a worthwhile, important read
Klara wrote: "I’m looking forward to getting to this one (eventually)!"it’s such a good one (and less than 200 pages!!!)
Niharika wrote: "Great review, Liv. I just added this to my tbr list. Stories like these deserve more attention."Thank you Niharika, and agreed. This one started to gain traction in October, but nowhere near the amount it deserves
This sounds incredible! Great review, Liv! 💖
