Discussion
1.The novel opens with a short prelude set in 2002, when Amal comes face to face with a soldier and his gun. That scene quickly gives way to the story beginning in 1941. Why do you think the author chose to start the story in such a way?
2.Many threads run through this story, and all are part of the Palestinian plight. One of these is the concept of jumbled time. Discuss this aspect in light of the author’s decision to unfurl the story by jumping back and forth through time, rather than taking a linear storytelling path. Consider the following passages in your discussion:
a.“In the unbearable sorrow of a history buried alive, the year 1948 fell from the calendar into exile, ceasing to reckon with the marching count of days, months, and years; instead becoming an infinite mist of one moment in history, waiting for justice to redeem and let 1948 rejoin the registers of years and nations. The twelve months of that year rearranged themselves and swirled aimlessly in the last tick of the clock, its heartbreak becoming a dominion onto itself.” – pg.38
b.“I watched my arm extend the letter toward David and saw the physical evidence of time intersecting itself in that gesture, as Huda had extended her reluctant arm thirty three years ago, with that same piece of paper, folded along the same tragic lines.” – pg.138
c.“Time was looping backward.” – pg. 295
d.“Time does look back and it does tarry with yesterday.”- pg.305
3.Discuss changes, if any, in your perception of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict after reading this work of historic fiction.
4.In chapter 19, David’s description of his mother, Jolanta, was everything Amal had wanted her own mother, Dalia, to be. But after she describes Dalia and reflects on her mother’s innermost motivations, she concludes by the end of the chapter that “…contrary to what I believed in the stupidity of youth, no other woman could have made a finer mother to me.” Discuss the differences and similarities between Dalia and Jolanta and address the above quote. Also, what do you think of David’s statement pertaining to his mother: “love cannot reconcile with deception”?
5.Why do you think the author chose this title for her book? And what, if any, layers of meaning can you find in the title?
6.Why do you think the author chose the painting on the cover of the book?
7.“Old Lady” the ancient olive tree:
a.Before the 1967 War, Amal and Huda play on “Old Lady”. What do you think is that tree symbolizes?
b.On pg. 67 Hasan told his daughter Amal that “[Old Lady] was here long before any of us, and she’ll be here long after we’re gone. How can you own that, habibti?” How do you think this relates to the Palestinian sense or attachment of the land.
c.What do you think is the significance of Amal’s reference to Old Lady on pg. 296
8. Why do you think the author chose to tell this story in three narrative voices—omniscient third person, Amal, and Yousef. Do you think this was an effective literary device? And why?
9. When Amal first goes to the Orphanage and looks out at the landscape overlooking Jerusalem, she is filled with awe and hold that city in majesty (refer to the passage on pg 162). But as an adult, when she returns to her homeland after living in exile for so long, she thinks the city cold and undeserving (refer to pg. 295). Why do you think her feelings toward Jerusalem change so drastically?
9.Why do you think the author chose to tell this story in three narrative voices—omniscient third person, Amal, and Yousef. Do you think this was an effective literary device? And why?
10.We learn early on that Darweesh loved Dalia, and she likely loved him too, although she was very young at the time. But Darweesh does not divulge that love, and dances with a secret heartache at the wedding of his brother to Dalia. It is not until decades later that he tells Dalia’s daughter the story behind Dalia’s broken ankle and how he loved her and wanted to marry her. Why do you think he kept that secret? Why did he tell Amal? How does his decision relate to the sense of family?
11.Each of the siblings, Yousef, David, Amal, could represent a different facet of Palestinian society as it reassembled in new ways over the epic tragedy of Palestine. Can you identify these facets?
12.We learn that before the formation of the State of Israel, Ari Perlstein’s mother had an 18-pearled brooch, which she was able to escape with from Nazi Germany. As a boy, Hasan habitually counted the pearls on that brooch. Of course, Ari inherits it, but he decides to bury it with Amal after the massacre in Jenin. Why do you think he did that? And what is the significance of the 18-pearled brooch?
13.After the US Marine base bombing in Lebanon, did you believe, as the FBI and CIA did, that Yousef was the man responsible? Or did you maintain doubt, as Amal did? Why did she withhold that information until the end?