Featured books

Featured Websites

.: Reader Views Kids

Provides book reviews, by kids, for kids

.: Inside Scoop Live

Provides live author interviews for podcast

.: Authors Access

Provides interviews with experts in the publishing industry

.: Midwest Book Review

Provides post-publication reviews

.: Reader Views

Provides book reviews and author publicity

.: LR Communication Design

Provides professional website design and development

.: Blogging Authors

Provides a place where writers and readers meet

.: Review The Book

Provides 5 books reviews on 10 different sites

.: Best Sellers World

Provides book reviews and author features

.: Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Provides book reviews and author features

reviews

Our Promised Land

Michael T. Darkow
Synergy Books (2010)
ISBN 9780984076017
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebeccasreads.com (03/10)


Although a work of fiction, much of Michael T. Darkow’s novel, “Our Promised Land” mirrors real life events.  The main story revolves around the conflict over the Holy Land.  In the beginning of the book, Darkow presents us with a timeline reference as his story is rooted in events that took place in the past.

There are two main characters in the book:  Ellie and Yasif, one Israeli and one Palestinian.  When we first meet Ellie, him and his mother are being uprooted from their homes and sent off to be “resettled.”  Once they arrive, the group they are with is ushered into the showers, except for Ellie who is ordered to put everyone’s clothes into a wagon.  One of the most vivid scenes in the book for me was when Ellie was separated from his mother, she in the showers and he bringing the clothes out.  His return to the area was blocked by a soldier, the door was shut, and the showers turned on.  “For an eternity, they stood there, just outside the door.  Then they began, muffled at first then reaching a crescendo- the screams of terror that would stay with Ellie for the rest of his days upon this earth.  Ellie collapsed to his knees and wept, his hands held out to the colonel in supplication.  The colonel smirked at him with satisfaction, then motioned to the soldiers.  They hoisted Ellie to his feet by both arms, but Ellie was unable to walk on his paralyzed legs, so they dragged him along.” (p. 19 -20)  Eventually Ellie is liberated from the concentration camp and begins a fight in support of the Jewish people.

Yasif, is a Palestinian, who left his homeland after he was given an opportunity to study in America.  His family was not completely on board with the decision as his mother in particular harbored resentment towards the Jewish people who made this opportunity possible.  Although in America, he is also drawn into the struggle. 

The characters in the book are very memorable and the issues and struggles that they face on their respective sides of the conflict really make the reader think.  Even though the book is fictional, there is a reality behind it and that is what makes the book quite haunting and one that will stick in your head long after the last page is turned.  Although the book is a short one at only 162 pages, it is definitely a powerful work.  I think that “Our Promised Land” would be a wonderful selection for a book club as there are many different topics of discussion that this book would open up.