Werner Sonne

Judith,a survivor of the Dachau concentration camp, arrives in Palestine. When she learns that her only surviving relative has died, she slits her wrists. She awakens in the hospital and learns that Hana, a Muslim, has given her blood. The story continues on, telling both sides of the Israeli Palestine conflict and asking hard questions along the way.

I thought this book presented a nice balance between both sides of the conflict. The characters were well developed and presented. It was easy show more to see how war started, and how it was beyond anyone’s control. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars. show less

9.5/10
This book takes place over the span of a few years right after WWII in a place still riven by strife, Palestine & Israel. It’s a heart-rending story of people on all sides driven by love and hate, by faith and despair, by power and fear, by anger and hope, by resentment and connection, by revenge and trust, by passion and frustration. As the reader, I felt all those emotions, abut mostly I felt sadness that 80 years after the events described in this book, the conflicts drag on, the show more atrocities continue, and resolution seem as unattainable as it was in the late forties. The author is quite even-handed and includes a list of resources. show less

WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE SEA by Werner Sonne
In the aftermath of WWII the Jews who remain attempt to establish a homeland for themselves. Judith, a Jewish survivor of the death camps, and Hana, a Muslim nurse at Hadassah Hospital, are bonded in friendship when a rare blood type infusion from Hanna gives life to a dying Judith.
The novel follows Hana and Judith as Eratz Israel becomes the Nation of Israel. Hadassah Hospital, founded by Jews but serving both Jews and Arabs, becomes a focal show more point. Peace is lost when the UN drops the British Mandate. Jews and Arabs battle over the land of Palestine resulting in bloodshed on both sides. The novel reveals the complexity of finding a solution.
Sonne avoids siding with either faction as his well-drawn and complex characters struggle to find honor and security in this moving tale of love, fear, sacrifice, betrayal, redemption, death, honor and brutality lurches to its conclusion.
5 of 5 stars show less

A brilliant book

A book about the conflict over Jerusalem after World War 2 that shows the human cost of the war on both sides that continues to this day. Wonderful characters representative of those in the real conflicts that occurred that show the daily tension and horror felt on both sides.