Comments on: A Decade that Dare not Speak its Name http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/2010/01/08/the-decade-that-dare-not-speak-its-name/ The blog of the award-winning crime writer Matt Beynon Rees Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:52:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Jason Mcculough http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/2010/01/08/the-decade-that-dare-not-speak-its-name/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Jason Mcculough Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:16:08 +0000 http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/?p=808#comment-409 cool thanks for writing this cool thanks for writing this

]]> By: Matt Beynon Rees http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/2010/01/08/the-decade-that-dare-not-speak-its-name/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Matt Beynon Rees Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:22:26 +0000 http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/?p=808#comment-128 Thanks, Ronald. I'm delighted to hear that you've enjoyed my novels enough to recommend them to friends. Certainly one of my aims has been to unveil aspects of Palestinian life that aren't dealt with in other media, and I'm glad you've relished that. Well, "Cain's Field," my nonfiction book, was quite dark, but I'd also say that I believe it had an optimistic perspective, too. The thesis of the book is, of course, that once internal divisions within Palestinian society/within Israeli society are confronted, the two sides will be able to face each other securely and admit the suffering of the other side. That's how peace can be made. I don't advocate drawing lines on the map, as diplomats, politicians, and journalists do in order to reach peace. That puts the cart before the horse. The two sides need to be ready. "Cain's Field" does show how some people are working toward that point -- say, Kobi Oz, the Israeli musician, and Nizar Hassan, the Palestinian filmmaker, both in their different ways. Omar Yussef is based on a real friend of mine. In some ways, the program behind "Cain's Field" was formulated with his help. Once I'd done that book I decided to use fiction to illustrate some of the insights he'd given me. I'm really very content to hear that this came across in your reading. Very best, Matt Thanks, Ronald. I’m delighted to hear that you’ve enjoyed my novels enough to recommend them to friends. Certainly one of my aims has been to unveil aspects of Palestinian life that aren’t dealt with in other media, and I’m glad you’ve relished that. Well, “Cain’s Field,” my nonfiction book, was quite dark, but I’d also say that I believe it had an optimistic perspective, too. The thesis of the book is, of course, that once internal divisions within Palestinian society/within Israeli society are confronted, the two sides will be able to face each other securely and admit the suffering of the other side. That’s how peace can be made. I don’t advocate drawing lines on the map, as diplomats, politicians, and journalists do in order to reach peace. That puts the cart before the horse. The two sides need to be ready. “Cain’s Field” does show how some people are working toward that point — say, Kobi Oz, the Israeli musician, and Nizar Hassan, the Palestinian filmmaker, both in their different ways. Omar Yussef is based on a real friend of mine. In some ways, the program behind “Cain’s Field” was formulated with his help. Once I’d done that book I decided to use fiction to illustrate some of the insights he’d given me. I’m really very content to hear that this came across in your reading. Very best, Matt

]]> By: Ronald Ein http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/2010/01/08/the-decade-that-dare-not-speak-its-name/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Ronald Ein Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:19:58 +0000 http://www.themanoftwistsandturns.com/?p=808#comment-127 I was about to write a version of your fourth paragraph from the end, but chose to read your blog first. Bad idea! Now I just want to tell you how deeply your novels have affected me. What they have to tell us about the situation is important for all of us to learn. I recommended your books to my circle of friends, most of whom are Jewish. Like me, they support Israel and know little to nothing about Palestinian realities. Cain's Field, while not fiction, may be the most enlightening and depressing book I have read this past year or two. Sadly, it lacks the heroic character of Omar Yussef to lend humanity and dignity to its portrayal. Thank you for these stories and for their teaching. I was about to write a version of your fourth paragraph from the end, but chose to read your blog first. Bad idea! Now I just want to tell you how deeply your novels have affected me. What they have to tell us about the situation is important for all of us to learn. I recommended your books to my circle of friends, most of whom are Jewish. Like me, they support Israel and know little to nothing about Palestinian realities.

Cain’s Field, while not fiction, may be the most enlightening and depressing book I have read this past year or two. Sadly, it lacks the heroic character of Omar Yussef to lend humanity and dignity to its portrayal.

Thank you for these stories and for their teaching.

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