Emma McEvoy (2)

This is a compelling story of two friends, Avi, a Jew, and Saleem, an Arab, who are swept up in the tide of war. Set in Israel, the novel moves back and forth in time between Avi’s childhood, his youthful friendship with Saleem, and Avi’s present-day military imprisonment. It is told from alternating perspectives: Avi’s retelling of Saleem’s childhood and later life; Avi’s first person account of the present day; and letters from Avi’s father to his absent mother.

The novel show more poignantly explores the ramifications of the longstanding conflict between Arab and Jew, zeroing in on its impact on one particular friendship. It is very well-written, and explores the gray area where right and wrong, good guy and bad guy, do not exist. Rather, we have regular people who are caught up in a web of forces beyond their control. Issues of guilt, responsibility, and loyalty are deftly examined in this deep and thoughtful novel. show less

This novel deals in a personal way with Arabs and Israelis caught in the interface between Israel and the Gaza strip as the second Intifada of Sept 2000 breaks out. Avi Goldberg, 25 reflects on his life while serving a prison sentence for refusing to fight in the war. He carries the burden of failing to prevent the death of his close friend, Saleem, an Israeli Arab. Sahar, Saleem's wife visits Avi in prison after Saleem is killed and begs him to help her escape to England once his sentence show more is finished.

As the story progresses we learn that both Saleem and Avi lost their mothers as young boys. The story weaves this loss in their early lives with their developing friendship and the pressures both face living in a time of war when painful memories in their families color their lives.

The "Inbetween People" successfully portrays the characters trying to find their place in the world in a time of war and personal upheaval. It is told in simple, evocative language that reflects the sparse desert landscape, the relentless sun and harsh Arab wind, where even the rain feels like the enemy instead of bringing relief from the heat. It is not an easy land but still it invokes strong ties of devotion or, in some cases, an intense desire to escape. The novel successfully brings us a little closer to understanding the complications of living in this strife torn land. show less

The Inbetween People is an amazing, poetic, rich novel that relates the pain of the Israeli/Palistinian conflict on many levels. Two young men meet: an Israeli and a Palistinian. Both are pacificsts. Neither approves of the war that is an endless part of their histories. While the Palistinian serves in the Israeli army in a non-combat unit, the Israeli elects to serve time in prison rather than go into active duty. These young men become friends, share their lives, share their histories. But show more like the ongoing conflict in reality, there is not a good outcome for these young men.
Emma McEvoy is an artist, a poet. Not a word is wasted in the mood created in this exceptional, evocative novel. Not a brush stroke is out of place. I look forward to reading more from this extraordinary writer. show less

The Inbetween People is a gem; no words wasted, each well-spent. Emma McEvoy said so much, so beautifully, in so few pages that it was a joy to read it through in one day and then hold the book in my hands and think about what I'd just read. To me The Inbetween People is about memory, how much we rely on it, how it keeps us alive, and here's the shocker for me, how much the years in between memory and the present matter.