Raquela is the biography of a woman born in Jerusalem close to the year of my mother's birth. My mother was born in Tennessee but comparing the dates is a way to make book time real. The author chose her as a subject because she was attractive and intelligent, a high achiever who became a nurse and midwife, had romances and friendships galore and showed bravery and fortitude not to mention heroism during her war-related adventures. But I think the author primarily chose her as a vehicle for the history of the region that became Israel. The story was written in 1978; it's an old-fashioned patriotic story sans layers of subsequent symbolism. The history itself is consistent with what I'm studying elsewhere. It's a matter of emphasis. At any rate, reading it was a relief at points--and it was a fast read. Three and 1/2 stars, rounded up to four.One thing--the British didn't come out looking so good, what with turning a blind eye on Arab militancy--although other sources will show Arabs perceiving the unfairness going in the opposite direction--and setting up and keeping the internment camps going until seemingly the last possible minute before their withdrawal.The action brings the reader into those camps, and also into the danger for a closer look than I'd had before. Not for nothing was the author a journalist and photographer.I was struck that early on the land was sparsely settled, with bolders and rocks that had to be cleared and swamplands that had to be drained. And that the lines of enmity weren't always as clear cut as commonly assumed. Early on there could be ties between the fellaheen (peasants) and Jews that the effendi (upper class) didn't perceive as being in their interest.By the way, "Raquela" is the Sephardic or Eastern version of "Rachel." I think that's it but I don't have the book handy right now. When I was trying to look it up I came across Raquel Welch--whose father is of Spanish descent. It is the nature of the book Raquela that the Jews trying to build the infrastructure of a country come across as a united team. In this book you will not see internal political conflict, prejudice against the Jews from Arab lands by the those with European backgrounds, or any complexity of attitudes of the Jews living in (then) Palestine toward the suffering Jews still in Europe. (For that, see My Promised Land.)
A fascinating look at the birth of Israel through the eyes of a woman whose family goes back nine generations as residents of Jerusalem. It begins in 1929, when Palestine was still very much a backwater, and continues throughout its struggle for independence as the state of Israel. What I found most interesting is I'd always assumed that Israel had been allowed to form by most of the Western members of the UN; I had no idea that Britain was so very much opposed to it. It was shocking for me to find out that the Holocaust survivors who had made their way to the Promised Land after enduring such horrors found in concentration camps were then interned in yet more camps, separated by gender and kept behind barbed wire. My heart broke for all of those people when I read that. The writing itself could have been stronger, though I am sure it was difficult for Gruber to put together a book that isn't quite a straight-up biography but is also based on a real person and therefore isn't a novel. It's rather like the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, in that respect -- a fictionalized biography. I was also a little disappointed with the emphasis on Raquela's "stunning" good looks, as if all her hard work and dedication to pregnant women and newborns were secondary to her beauty.
Do You like book Raquela (2000)?
If it's possible to "inhale" a book then that's what happened here. I had to tear myself away from reading the story of this lady and her country. I didn't know that the British government locked up Israeli immigrants in what prison war camps until the end of 1948. I wasn't aware of the story of the Exodus 1947, Pan Crescent, or Pan York. Stories of substance involving brave men, women, and children living and dying for Israel. I was shocked. This is an extraordinary book and I wish I had been introduced to it while still a student. These are the books we need to read in school.
—Casey
I almost gave up on this book. At first, I felt this book was disjointed and poorly written. I didn't think it was worth the effort. But I stuck with it because just as I started reading it, the turmoil in this region (Israel) was increasing. I thought I might understand today's bombings and unrest if I knew the history. The story actually became cohesive and engaging as the writing itself (somehow) improved. By the end of the book I had a much better sense and appreciation of the history behind the turmoil this region continues to struggle with. I would highly recommend this book (once you get past the first part)if you want to deepen your understanding of how Israel come-to-be and why there is so much contention among the various tribes, states, countries, cultures, and rulers. ( I chose not in include the 'people' in the previous list because I think that most people living in that area just want to live their lives and don't really care who is Jewish or Muslim or whatever.)
—Anne
Just started next month's Book Club selection. We've read The Ruth Gruber Story -- she's an amazing woman. We also saw a film about her accomplishments during the end of WWII, and was equally impressed by this woman. Now, we're reading her telling of the story of another accomplished woman, living in Israel pre-statehood.3.5 would be my rating.... because of Raquela...she was a most interesting and admirable woman. . But the writing style is sorta flat. I didn't finish it, and wasn't compelled to do so...
—Carol Catinari
