The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen, Michelle Cohen Corasanti

The Almond Tree

by Michelle Cohen and Michelle Cohen Corasanti

This beautifully written and compelling novel is a tale of two Palestinian brothers, one full of anger and hate, the other trying to build a bridge through scientific endeavour. The book vividly brings to life the everyday experiences of Palestinians displaced by the Israeli occupation. The first person narrative draws the reader into the story of a twelve-year-old boy, Ichmad, whose life is about to be turned upside down. With his father imprisoned, his family's home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to anger and hatred in the face of war, Ichmad begins his endless struggle to save his poor and dying family, and to reclaim a love for others that was lost when the bombs first hit. Ichmad supports his family through manual labour, first on a building site and later in an abattoir. Eventually his brilliance in science wins him a scholarship to university, where he encounters both prejudice and opportunity.
His brother disowns him as he mixes with Israelis, and even marries a Jewish girl, but against all the odds, and in the face of personal tragedy, Ichmad succeeds in transcending racial and religious stereotypes, and is judged on his abilities and ideas, to the point where he receives the ultimate accolade: a Nobel Prize. The publication of this novel is timely, given the prominence of the Middle East crisis in the news every day and its effects on the lives of people all over the world. Reminiscent of The Kite Runner and One Thousand Splendid Suns, this is an uplifting read, which conveys a message of optimism and hope.

Reviewed by Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews on

4 of 5 stars

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Recently, my dad asked what I was reading and I replied "The Almond Tree". His response was "That sounds boring". He could not be farther from the truth. You should never judge a book by its title.

From the start it is made clear that The Almond Tree is a dark, heartbreaking story of adversity, race and being able to rise above it all.

The Almond Tree, strangely enough reminds me of Life of Pi minus the animals and the raft. Huh you may ask, where is the comparison? I find the lead characters, Pi and Ichmad to be of the same mold and fictional or no are someone to look up to. Thus, when he befalls hard times a little bit of the reader in me died.

In all honesty The Almond Tree made me sad. Although I could not stop reading, longing to hear Ichmad's story, rooting for him all the way, and just when I thought there was a speck of light at the end of the tunnel, BAM, his brother is gravely injured or BAM his wife is killed. Seriously? Talk about kicking a dog when it's down. What added insult to injury (for me) was the fact that he always put others before himself, living in a borderline dump while studying in the U.S. in order to send money home to his family and agreeing to an arranged marriage because he knows it would make them happy. Aww, where can I find one of those?

I wish I could say The Almond Tree had a happy ending but I found it bittersweet. Ichmad becomes successful and happy in his marriage. As for his brother, I wish I could say the same. Crippled and bitter after his accident he has gone underground only to resurface years later in Gaza. The descriptions of the environment there had my eyes wide open and shocked beyond words. Devastation that can only end in heartbreak. The Almond Tree reminds you that the world is not a perfect place and stays with you long after the last page has been turned.

I received a readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

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  • Started reading
  • 25 August, 2013: Finished reading
  • 25 August, 2013: Reviewed