Romeo and Juliet in Jerusalem and Other Short Stories [Hardcover]

H. C. Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2003

What if you fell in love with someone, who is perfect for you? What if that person is from a completely different world? Even a hostile world from the one you belong to? This is the theme that the short story, "Romeo and Juliet in Jerusalem," explores.

Other short stories in the volume discuss similar difficult questions relating to love and relationships. What if the person you love is from another religion? What if your people and your lover's people are literally at war? These short stories also explore the idea of social justice and the concept of theodicy in a world filled with conflict and sadness. Those interested in the Israeli - Palestinian conflict might particularly find "food for thought" in some of the short stories in the volume.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

H. C. Kim has lived over three years in Jerusalem. Currently, as a Ph.D. candidate in Hebrew, Jewish, and Early Christian Studies at Cambridge University, he holds two student government positions: the General Secretary of the Cambridge University Graduate Union and the Academic Officer of CUSU International. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse.com (July 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595658652
• ISBN-13: 978-0595658657
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,485,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Racist and bigoted, March 17, 2005

By 

Adam Rifkin (Tottenham, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet in Jerusalem and Other Short Stories (Hardcover)

I am very disappointed that I bought this book; it contained a lot of vile anti-Semitic and racist material. The author, Kim taps into peoples fear arising from terrorists and global terrorism to encourage them to support his extreme views. Kim distorts the situation in the Middle East so that he can justify his anti-Semitic political stance. Kim gives an inaccurate impression of the social forces at work in the Israeli society e.g. he claims that there is conflict within the Jewish community with white Jews being racist towards coloured Jews (Arabic speaking Yemeni and Moroccan Jews). These ideas are simply untrue and nonsensical.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible!, June 7, 2005

By 

Richard Bellars (Northampton, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet in Jerusalem and Other Short Stories (Hardcover)

This novel was a real bore. The stories had no plot and were very predictable. I found the characters to be unrealistic in terms of their behaviour since they were happy to discuss volatile political matters in a hostile environment, where they risked being shot. Kim gives an American colonialist impression of Israel and Israeli culture. It is clear from reading this novel that Kim has never had a relationship with a woman. He does not have a clue about relationships and how women behave. I find it disconcerting that Kim has to place 'false reviews' just to boost his own ratings. Please avoid this drivel.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Hopeless, May 20, 2005

By 

Iqbal Razzaq (Kilburn, London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet in Jerusalem and Other Short Stories (Hardcover)

'Romeo and Juliet in Jerusalem' really was the pits as far as fictional literature goes.

I found this story to be very slow moving and predictable. The plot was uninspiring and fails to in captivate the reader. One becomes very bored after only a few pages. There were a lot of ridiculous ideas being conveyed i.e. the idea that Moroccan Jews are discriminated against in Jewish society because of their Arab-like appearance. The characters made unrealistic declarations to each other and happily divulged private and personal information to complete strangers. Everything was so Americanised to the extent that the story wouldn't look out of place had it been set in New York.

This was a very poor collection of stories conveying the message that Christianity is superior to all other religions. Islam is the fastest growing religion whilst Christianity is on the wane therefore, if anything, it is superior. Avoid this poorly written book at all costs.