Current Events – Page 69 – The View From Sari's World

Did you know today May 1^st is Free Comic Book Day? I had no idea this was an annual event, but thanks to Facebook and Twitter I am now in the “know”. I checked out the official FCBD site http://www.freecomicbookday.com/index.asp, wondering if this was something my son would be interested in and what kind of free comics one can get on such a day, when it hit me; I used to read comic books, in fact when I was young I read them a lot before I got into Nancy Drew and the gang.

For a while comics such as Archie, Disney, (remember Hughie, Dewie and Louie?), and ones involving long forgotten characters dominated my reading life. They filled in the gap between children’s picture books and the small preteen genre of the time. Living on a rural farm I did not have access to a library so the only reading material available were the cheap comic books found at the local grocery store my grandfather and I visited on a bi-weekly basis.

Comics were important to me when I was too old for picture books yet too young for the older teen books that were out in the early 1970s. I enjoyed the idea of the long involved stories that comics could offer a young reader. It did not matter that these stories involved Disney characters or Riverdale teens. Comics gave me a sense of being older than those around me still reading children’s picture books. Until I was old enough to grasp the concept of novels, comics were my personal treasures. I would read them over and over again, sometimes until they fell apart.

As I matured comics became less important and seemed silly to me. I put them down when I found Nancy Drew; I think I was in the fourth grade when Nancy’s world was opened up to me. Over time comics became something young children or boys who liked super heroes read. I had nothing to do with them. My son never really got into them; oh he had a favorite or two, but these were based on video game characters he liked. As he grew, his comic book reading dwindled and was replaced by graphic novels; also based on video game and Animie characters.

Honestly, I would not even be thinking of my years spent reading comics had it not been for the announcement of Free Comic Book Day. Not sure if we will head to our local comic book store today, but it seems like a good idea. It would be a fun trip back in time when comics dominated my reading world.

So dear Readers, did you ever read comics? If so which ones and will you pick up one today just for the fun of it?

What I write pales in comparison to what you will find in the writing style and story within the pages of this book. If I could adequately describe how this book made me feel, I still would not do the book justice.

Mornings in Jenin is the story of four generations of Palestinians living through the birth of Israel and the never ending war that follows. The story centers on Amal, a women who is born in a refugee camp. Her story is one of loss, love and redemption.

I asked to review this particular book because I have always questioned the war between Israel and Palestine. I am torn between understanding the need for a permanent homeland after living through the horrors of WW2 and the way in which the country of Isreal was settled. When I was younger I would ask my elders to explain the actions of the two nations but try as they might, none could truly explain both sides. The issue of the two nations within one setting is very polarizing. I would hear about the Palestine terrorist but not the people. As a result I know little about the human story of Palestinians and thought this book may offer some insight into their world.

Abulhawa’s writing style is nothing short of amazing. Though this book is heartbreaking at every turn Abulhawa’s words sing out. Yes, they sing out and you as a reader are caught up in her song. Never mind that at times the pain becomes unbearable, the song of her words compel you the reader to stay with her. A little past half way I wanted to give up; there was too much death and heartache, but I stuck with it as the story needed to be told. As much as it hurt to hear it, this story does need to be told. We need to hear about the aftermaths of war. Not because we need to take one side or the other, but because we should pause before we pick a side. Abulhawa shows us that war scorches the lives of those who lay in the path of triumph. No one really wins in war expect death and pain as Abulhawa so vividly tells us.

After finishing the book I sat for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. A part of me disliked having to deal with the emotions and questions that washed over me while another part was so taken by the character and lives in Mornings in Jenin I was almost sad to have come to the end of the tale. For a few moments I was not sure if I could recommend this book or not as it is so full of loss but it dawned on me that one of the reasons I kept reading was because it opened my eyes to what real sadness and pain are. Sometimes we Americans get so caught up in our daily drama we tend to forget we are blessed, even when we are struggling. Mornings in Jenin will make you think, question and maybe cry. It is a testament to a people that before now had no voice. I highly recommend this book.

Category: Current Events

Happy Free Comic Book Day

Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa my review

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