The books of Mois Benarroch

Mois Benarroch

[Following is a volunteer review of "Andalusian in Jerusalem" by Mois benarroch.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Andalusian in Jerusalem is a work of fiction written by Mois Benarroch, which begins with the narrator’s complicated relationship with the word Jew. Exploring what that word meant personally and to others around him, the narrator’s tale is filled with runaway tangents and colorful embellishments. This book is more about appreciating the language used and not the conclusion to the overarching plot, as the author knows it’s all about the journey.

The narrator’s voice as he regaled his audience with his tale is rich and nuanced, filled with idiosyncrasies and catchphrases. This strong narration works with the (almost) seamless stream of consciousness style of writing, to faithfully recreate the singular effect of listening to a rambling elder who likes to both hear their own voice and impart knowledge to the youth.

The plot follows the narrator as he questions his identity with how others perceive him and how he thus defines himself. This is central to the book, with each reiteration and personal revelation, the narrator delves into a deeper understanding of himself.

I would recommend this book for the rich attention to detail, the amusing anecdotes that fill the narrator’s stories, the high quality and strength of the narrator’s voice, and how well it works with the stream of consciousness writing style. Due to the nature of the book, I think people who enjoy Virginia Woolf would be similarly pleased, even if some of the tangents get a bit long. I rate this 4 out of 4 stars for its deceptive simplicity and elegance of form. The text is self-aware to a degree, having the characters remark on various plot points as they are thus affected, creating room for a breath of levity when the fourth wall breaks.

This book will probably not be enjoyable to people who prefer action-packed plot-driven page-turners because of the slow pace and amount of text dedicated to “superfluous" information. Though the stream of conscious style is not employed throughout the book, it makes up a significant part of the text. On top of that, it takes a while for the plot to focus and pick up past its somewhat rambling start, where several topics of varying importance were discussed at various lengths. I also noticed that transitions between actions were quick or barely stated, catching me slightly off guard any time the characters took off in a new direction plot-wise.

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Mois Benarroch · Unread post by **iknwuzoh** » 07 May 2018, 06:19

4 out of 4 stars

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Keys To Tetouan by Mois Benarroch is a tale of Mois Benzimra who is the father of a Jewish tribe that settled in Tetouan from where they dispersed to other countries of the world.

The theme of the book reflects on the effects of civilisations on the Jewish identity. It emphasizes on the state of Jews in the modern day society, their wanting to go back to the Jewish ways of life, in a world that is turning into a global village. It reflects on their wish to return to Jewish traditions in this modern era. Many Jews are experiencing the effects of migration. I see this book as a book that fits into the Jewish genre. My view of this theme is that it is recommendable for the Jews of nowadays who want to understand and know what it means to be Jewish, who want to know what the Jewish lifestyle was like before this modern era. I noticed the book expanded much on the state of the Jews in many nations wanting to retain their Jewish identity. I strongly recommend this book for Jews and non-Jews. This is because the Jews have had some impact on non-Jews and mixture of races have taken place due to the Jewish expansion. I will say that non-Jews should also read this literary piece to see how they may be affected by the Jewish expansion. Many non-Jews who read this book may find out they have reasonable connections with the Jewish identity. It expresses how many Jews seek their homeland and how many non-Jews became Jewish through interracial marriages.

This book is very interesting to read as it is a book that has the capacity to unite Jews with non-Jews. I strongly recommend this book as a book that can join different tribes in conflict. The Jewish exile is well stressed in the theme including the effects of westernisation. The modern Jew finds himself in a state different from the olden times when the Jewish retained its unique identity. The theme questions the Jews with regards to whether they can ever realise their previous state before westernisation. The answers are not definitely given in this very book but is left for the reader to figure out.

This literary piece is a contemplation of the state of the Jewish tribe and not an answer to that state. This book is interesting with some interesting characters like Moshe Benzimra who poses here as the father of the tribe. His character in this book shows much about the nature of the Jewish lifestyle. He seems to be a major character in this piece.

I also observed while reading the book about a categories of keys. There was reference to a particular key that will open the house in Tetouan. Keys were mentioned many times in this book with a particular reference to the key used with a scanner in a device that opens the historical aspects of the Jewish in Tetouan. The book got its name from these categories of keys.

I like the way the book was written, how it uses the characters of the Benzimra family to explain the plight of the Jewish identity in the modern era with respect to the Jewish town of Tetouan. I will rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because of it's unique way of entertaining the reader and connecting Jews and non-Jews. In conclusion, I strongly recommend this book for Jews and non-Jews alike.

******
Keys to Tetouan
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Mois Benarroch · Post by **TashaCrispin** » 27 Mar 2018, 03:06

[Following is a volunteer review of "Andalusian in Jerusalem" by Mois benarroch.]

Written by Mois Benarroch, Andalusian in Jerusalem is a novel narrating the adventures of a Spanish writer in Israel. The book is translated from Spanish to English. The main character, Guillermo goes through different experiences in this country from religious affiliation to the dilemma of differentiating illusions from reality.

He meets a woman who reminds him of his late mother while he reminds her of his son. This, coupled with other occurrences make him question his sanity, identity and just everything in life. The book focuses on his thoughts and how he deepened his search for answers. Fiction and reality seemed to be doing tricks on him. What if reality is defined by our actions and how we interpret the outcomes? He has to decide whether it is his past or his present that will determine his identity.

I loved this book. It was really hard to read at first because of the grammatical errors which were a result of translation of the book. As I continued reading, I loved the plot which was detailing every thought of the main character. He is a really strong character who drops the society's ideas of reality and fiction to find his own true meaning. He concludes that the nature of reality is not exact and can be changed at anyone's will even without tangible evidence.

As a kid when he lied that he was a jew ( ''I already liked to read, and by reading I'd found out that many inventors, writers, scientists were Jews, and that's why I invented this notion that I was a Jew'' ), the world antagonized him. His false identity was a joke but he decided to own it and unravel the reality around the Jewish culture. This showed how the sense of purpose can overcome the negativity of this meaningless world. It is truly inspiring.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The plot was amazing and the philosophical insights of the author are intriguing. Taking the editing of the grammar seriously is what this book needs. It is really hard to read because the direct translation looks wrong and hence distracts the reader. The inspiring message of this book can reach out to many readers if the grammar is corrected.

People who love philosophical content will really enjoy the book. The interaction of different writers and their type of work in the book can also benefit real writers big time. They can get insights into the whole art of writing in a deeper sense. This was a great read.

******
Andalusian in Jerusalem

Mois Benarroch · Post by **Lovewreading89** » 30 Jan 2018, 23:42

[Following is a volunteer review of "Andalusian in Jerusalem" by Mois benarroch.]

4 out of 4 stars

Andalusian in Jerusalem is written by Mosi Benarroch and published in 2015. The book is 170 pages long. This is a translated book from Spanish to English about what it means to be a writer in another country and dealing with religious affiliation. Through different ideals and stories the writer mentions throughout this book. The main character is the Journalist turned novelist writer Guillermo, the stories written by his friend charly, and Nora an acquaintance he meets during his time there. The story takes place in Israel during a writer’s festival that he is attending. While he happens upon a woman who reminds him of his late mother and he reminds her of her long lost son from there the story goes from his story to the story he would like to write. The story is written primarily from Guillermo’s viewpoint, but it is also written like a conversation with someone you have known for a long time.

This book was hard for me to get into at first because it seemed like it was going all over the place with Guillermo’s book ideas and sometimes it felt like rambling. As I kept reading I began to understand where the writer was going with this book. The book has a sense of deeper meaning and understanding. I like that this book has the different viewpoints and that there are many ways this book can be understood differently. It just depends on who is reading it. I found it funny when they were at the hotel it seemed like every woman Guillermo was attracted to would leave with a man named “Jorge”

There was nothing that I didn’t like about the book because this book to me is like reading about philosophy, English, political ideals and history all in one. The book has no chapters. There is one spelling error that in the beginning it is explained that, the manuscript that appears in the middle of the book, the person has spoken Spanish all their lives and is now attempting to write in English, hence the error. There is nothing I wouldn’t change about this book except font size for those who have can’t read small print well with or without glasses. I can relate to Guillermo and take on the word Jewish in the first half of the book it’s like how do people know what religion you are when you haven’t told them anything.

My favorite character in the book was the main character Guillermo. He was dealing with a lot in the book writing for his captives, trying to get a book published, and dealing with is late mother by having a substitute in the woman he met. There is adventure in this book but is of the literary mind. The characters in the book are interesting and engaging. The story does have some funny points and it does raise questions at times.

In conclusion, Andalusian in Jerusalem is a very interesting book with intriguing characters and thought provoking dialog with a story within a story. The book accomplishes its thoughts about what it is to be a writer dealing with various situations within a country. I would recommend this book to a person who is interested in faith, writing, and adventure. This book would do well in a high school or college English class. I rate this book 4 out of 4 for being challenging and well worth the read.

******
Andalusian in Jerusalem
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Mois Benarroch · Post by **AmeliaAndrews** » 27 Jan 2018, 10:40

[Following is a volunteer review of "Andalusian in Jerusalem" by Mois benarroch.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Mois Benarroch's Andalusian in Jerusalem recounts the story of a Spanish writer's adventures in Israel, all the while, pretending to be a Jew and having made a career of writing about Jewish history.

Stylistically, the book is superb, the vivid descriptions and sparse, literal inner monologue of the main character contrasting wonderfully with the absurd and often nightmarish events which take place. The stony acceptance with which these events are met highlights the absurdity of human interactions and the chaotic, meaningless nature of the world, mirroring Kafka - one of the main character's literary inspirations - thematically as well as stylistically.

A related theme of the book is the disparity between appearance and reality. This idea is emphasised throughout the book, set in a city where streets cease to exist for hours or months at a time, characters age decades in the space of minutes and the main character assumes both a fictional identity and a fictional family. One interpretation is that the nature of reality is not fixed or determined and can be changed at will, seen when Guillermo assumes, without evidence, that a certain house exists only at night and is proved to be correct. The notion of a reality determined solely by our actions and interpretations perfectly mirrors Sartre's radical freedom.

Similarly, the theme of personal identity is also key to the book, with the main character adopting a Jewish identity and then another persona entirely, as well as others struggling with personal identity in the face of societal pressures to conform, such as Charly and his characters. This idea is expanded in Charly's manuscript, detailing the stories of forced conversions as well as the search for personal identity in an antagonistic society. One of the important idea which arises is whether identity can be found in the past, through one's cultural heritage and ancestry, or in our present lives and through future children. Perhaps the endless returning to the legacy of the dead is an attempt to find meaning in an otherwise meaningless world, indifferent to human purposes. Another interpretation is that the cultivation of the past into an identity is an attempt to reconcile pain, particularly prominent in the tales of religious persecution described in the story.

A final point of interest is the commentary of characters, who are writers, on the nature of a writer's duty. This is a profound discussion, offering the perspective that writing is of such importance that it should take precedence over all other pursuits, Charly telling Guillermo that being a writer is more important than an editor and that 'true' writers are hard to come by. In this mindset, literature is valuable because it provides some connection to knowledge and truth, which is regarded as inherently valuable.

In conclusion, this book is exceptionally well-written, a thrilling adventure and insight into a great mind, recommended to anyone interested in Spanish or Jewish culture, writing as profession or existentialist themes. It makes for an extremely sophisticated and at times surreal read, echoing the literary styles of Franz Kafka, as well as exploring some of his favoured themes, engaging and exceptional in parts and thus deserving of a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

******
Andalusian in Jerusalem

Mois Benarroch · Unread post by **Lovewreading89** » 30 Jan 2018, 23:42

4 out of 4 stars

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Andalusian in Jerusalem is written by Mois Benarroch and published in 2015. The book is 170 pages long. This is a translated book from Spanish to English about what it means to be a writer in another country and dealing with religious affiliation. Through different ideals and stories the writer mentions throughout this book. The main character is the Journalist turned novelist writer Guillermo, the stories written by his friend charly, and Nora an acquaintance he meets during his time there. The story takes place in Israel during a writer’s festival that he is attending. While he happens upon a woman who reminds him of his late mother and he reminds her of her long lost son from there the story goes from his story to the story he would like to write. The story is written primarily from Guillermo’s viewpoint, but it is also written like a conversation with someone you have known for a long time.

This book was hard for me to get into at first because it seemed like it was going all over the place with Guillermo’s book ideas and sometimes it felt like rambling. As I kept reading I began to understand where the writer was going with this book. The book has a sense of deeper meaning and understanding. I like that this book has the different viewpoints and that there are many ways this book can be understood differently. It just depends on who is reading it. I found it funny when they were at the hotel it seemed like every woman Guillermo was attracted to would leave with a man named “Jorge”

There was nothing that I didn’t like about the book because this book to me is like reading about philosophy, English, political ideals and history all in one. The book has no chapters. There is one spelling error that in the beginning it is explained that, the manuscript that appears in the middle of the book, the person has spoken Spanish all their lives and is now attempting to write in English, hence the error. There is nothing I wouldn’t change about this book except font size for those who have can’t read small print well with or without glasses. I can relate to Guillermo and take on the word Jewish in the first half of the book it’s like how do people know what religion you are when you haven’t told them anything.

My favorite character in the book was the main character Guillermo. He was dealing with a lot in the book writing for his captives, trying to get a book published, and dealing with is late mother by having a substitute in the woman he met. There is adventure in this book but is of the literary mind. The characters in the book are interesting and engaging. The story does have some funny points and it does raise questions at times.

In conclusion, Andalusian in Jerusalem is a very interesting book with intriguing characters and thought provoking dialog with a story within a story. The book accomplishes its thoughts about what it is to be a writer dealing with various situations within a country. I would recommend this book to a person who is interested in faith, writing, and adventure. This book would do well in a high school or college English class. I rate this book 4 out of 4 for being challenging and well worth the read.

******
Andalusian in Jerusalem
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes

Mois Benarroch · Post Number:#1 by **MTReader91** » 08 Jun 2017, 03:11

[Following is a volunteer review of "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch.]

A Review of Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected) by Mois Benarroch

Legend says somewhere exists a person in the world is living a life parallel to ours; someone who feels the same and possibly doing the same thing at this moment. The question is, what happens when two parallel line intersect?. The impossible happens; and what should not happen, happens. What if soul mates do exist, does that mean the meeting with our soul mate make our lives easier or gives us solutions? The narrator reveals his encounter with his soul mate, Raquel. Through him, we discover how these two people born in the same city, almost the same day, marry similar people, give their children the same names, and write almost identical books, without ever meeting each other before the age of forty. This book is an existential cataclysm, where this experience serves to drive these two characters further into exile. The book tests the limits of logic.

I rate this 3 out of 4. This book is truly a three on the scale because it reads better than other books I have read from the same author. The reason it can’t be a 4 is there are minor editing errors and minimal spellings questions. This book is the best one I’ve read by this author.

The story appealed to me because the other books I have read by the same author refer to a connection between several of his books. My curiosity of how the books connect allows me to pick this one. I did not find a connection to the other two books I’ve read, but there are 7 books within the connection according to the author. The transitions were better in this work than the two other works.

This novel could appeal to others because it tests the boundaries of human understanding. The main plot of meeting with your parallel self makes you question your understand of people and coincidence. The appeal of the story makes readers realize there might be something supernatural going on in the world.

I liked the main theme of having a person similar to yourself in a parallel universe. Also, the story also says you shouldn't meet your parallel mate because it may destroy what you have. The last part of the last chapter switches to being written by his parallel mate, Raquel, which makes the story more realistic. Overall, this book is my favorite by this author.

******
Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)
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Mois Benarroch · Post Number:#1 by **ChloeHumphreys** » 25 Jun 2017, 05:32

[Following is a volunteer review of "Keys to Tetouan" by Mois Benarroch.]

3 out of 4 stars

Review by ChloeHumphreys

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I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. It is a well written novel with minimal grammatical errors, which, as a history lover, I was instantly hooked on. I believe a strong introduction and more background information may attract a wider range of readers, not just those interested in Judaism and history in general. The ambiguity throughout the novel has a charming character, however I believe with just a touch of explicitness the novel would be far more captivating and universal.

Benarroch's historical literature, gripping yet easy to digest, holds the raw authenticity that is only achieved through extensive research and a personal connection to the subject.

Thrust into the Benzimra family's experiences throughout the generations, the reader is blindly forced to fit together the pieces of the puzzle and act like a true historian, interpreting various source-like accounts. Ultimately, the work is a moving, poetic and nostalgic account on the true makeup of identity and the human yearning for home - which, in this case, is Tetouan.

Delicately, Benarroch describes the subtle and ambiguous nuances within the Jewish faith and explores a myriad arguments on the interesting debate on Zionism. It is a story of anti-Semitism and clashes between variant faiths and cultures in general, it is about exile and persecution - an 'understanding [of] the ever-exiled Jew' - but also about coexistence and peaceful assimilation - Benarroch's focus is especially relevant and resonates in today's political climate, therefore interesting me greatly.

The Benzimra family largely demonstrate the importance of geographical identity, highlighting the common fallacy that faith or ethnicity is the predominant feature of one's personhood - there is no place like home after all. Not only does Benzimra dabble in history and the ethics of faith, he subtly poses many philosophical questions - from what or where does man form his identity? What is home? Is home ever truly a concrete place or is it metaphysical? As a reader, you are forced to consider many things, which is both rewarding and ensures you continue reading the novel until the very end.

Ultimately, the author also has another clear and resounding message throughout the novel - the importance of the acknowledgment of history, including but not exclusive to one's own ancestry, shown through moments such as that concerning David Zemer.

The improbable end, however, starkly contrasts with the rest of the largely realistic novel and can unintentionally be seen as quite comical. However, despite this arguably out of place ending, the children (Moshe and David) are resultantly forced to explore their past. As the reader we focus on their naivety when they are uninterested in certain aspects of their history, and the moral and intellectual superiority when intrigued. This allows Benarroch to successfully reiterate the importance and great regard with which one must hold history and legacy.

Ultimately, 'Keys to Tetouan' was an enjoyable read despite some flaws, an excellent piece of historical fiction full of drama, emotion, and the age-long struggle to find 'home' for those of the Jewish faith. Benarroch's strong messages throughout the novel make for an interesting, thought-provoking and informative read that I will definitely remember for years to come, as well as providing inspiration for the reader to explore and delve deeper into Jewish history.

******

READ to Keys to Tetouan in

English getbook.at/keys2tetouan

Castellano getbook.at/llavesdetetuan

Hebrew עברית http://www.lulu.com/shop/paperback/product-22974017.html

View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes

The books of Mois Benarroch

Thursday, May 31, 2018

4 STARS Review by GabbiV -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

Review by GabbiV -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Review by iknwuzoh -- Keys to Tetouan by Mois Benarroch

Review by iknwuzoh -- Keys to Tetouan by Mois Benarroch

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Review -- Andalusian in Jerusalem by Tasha Crispin

Review by ADE_96 -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

Review by Lovewreading89 -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

Review by Lovewreading89 -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

4/4 stars Review by Amelia Andrews -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

Review by Amelia Andrews -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

onlinebookclub.org 4/4* review of "Andalusian in Jerusalem"

Review by Lovewreading89 -- Andalusian in Jerusalem

Monday, April 2, 2018

Review of -- "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch

Review by MTReader91 -- "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Review by ChloeHumphreys -- Keys to Tetouan

Review by ChloeHumphreys -- Keys to Tetouan

READ to Keys to Tetouan in

English getbook.at/keys2tetouan

Castellano getbook.at/llavesdetetuan

Hebrew עברית http://www.lulu.com/shop/paperback/product-22974017.html

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Monday, April 2, 2018

Review by MTReader91 -- "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch

Thursday, August 10, 2017

READ to Keys to Tetouan in English getbook.at/keys2tetouan Castellano getbook.at/llavesdetetuan Hebrew עברית http://www.lulu.com/shop/paperback/product-22974017.html

READ to Keys to Tetouan in

English getbook.at/keys2tetouan

Castellano getbook.at/llavesdetetuan

Hebrew עברית http://www.lulu.com/shop/paperback/product-22974017.html