Customer Reviews

Arafat's Elephant: Stories

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I loved this collection of short stories. I bought because it peaked my interest on Israel. Especially with the recent focus on Israel this book gives the Israelis more of a human quality then you see on the news. A must read for everyone! It make you look at Israelis and the human experience in totally different way. On the other hand, it reminded me of Roald Dahl and his hilarious, twisted, but true to life stories. My favorite is the one about the grandmothers, the most twisted one, but the greatest one too.

Israelis are so much the same and yet so different. In this delightful short story collection, the Israeli psyche shines through in a variety people in quite different circumstances. Using mostly scenes of contemporary Israeli life, the author provides a virtual kaleidioscopic display of just how colorful and enchanting Israelis can be.

Here are some of this book's choicest offerings. "Moving business" tells of a young Israeli paratrooper who disappears during a military operation in the Bekaa valley. "Hatikvah" is about the fleeting relationship of kibbutz volunteers Carmi of South Africa and Jota of Argentina. In "The Camel-Hair Coat", Yonathan learns during reserve duty that his old army buddy Yair has become an internet millionaire.

ARAFAT'S ELEPHANT would be particularly appealing to anyone who has lived for any time in Israel. It focuses on how the Israeli has a unique place in the world--easily identified by the social customs of his country. This collection of stories is a definite keeper!

I found this book while perusing one afternoon in Borders ...

I read all of it in one day! I couldn't stop.

My favorite story was the one about Ibrahim Kuttab.

Somehow I found certain similitaries to Gabriel Garcia Marquez "Doce Cuentos Peregrinos" Both books contain tragic & melancholic stories.

Kudos to Mr. Tel.

The best part about these stories is that everyone seems to think that a certain one is the best. The official review likes "A Story about a Bomb". I personally preferred "A Tooth for a Tooth" and my brother liked "Mr. Fig and Mr. Pineapple". They're all really great and I may have to buy more than one copy.