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There are currently 24 member reviews
for Fencing with the King
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Tracy B. (Pittsboro, NC)
Family history
I loved this book. The characters are vivid, entertaining and full of surprises. The culture experience of a learning curve for Amani, starting from the what to wear to royal events, the falcon competition, to the ancient traditions
The beautiful writing, adventure along with the plots twists and turns kept me enchanted. A great book for any book group. Now I want to read more of her books!!!
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Gabi
Family Secrets Unveiled
An elegant novel "Fencing With the King" is unlike anything I have read recently. Throughout the book I felt transported to Jordan while watching the story unfold. Intricate and poetic storytelling, not always easy to follow, was fitting to the Hamdan family dynamics as well as the history, the politics, and cultural nuances of this region of the world. And while the story builds slowly, a twist makes the waiting all worthwhile. It was a fascinating read.
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Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)
Fencing with the Truth
This book will transport you to the desert and sing to you of times past. It was written so well it practically had sand in its pages. A beautiful story of a woman finding herself while facing hidden truths about herself, her family and their secrets. I missed Jordan after turning the last page. Wonderful book. I highly recommend it.
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Marion C. (Peabody, MA)
Fencing with the King
Fencing with the King by Diana Abu-Jaber captured my imagination and the story caught my interest immediately. I enjoyed the story. Amani's new interest involved her father Gabi's life as a child in Jordan. When an invitation came for Gabi to go to Jordan to fence with the King for his sixtieth celebrations, Amani suggests she would like to go with him. She learned her grandmother wrote poetry and wanted to find some of her poems. In addition, she wanted to learn more about her father's family. There is a hint of two mysteries early in the story with surprising results building up to a great end. This is a wonderful read.
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Cindy
Fencing With the King
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found the story engaging from beginning to end. It would make a great book club choice as there is much in the book to discuss.
The author takes the reader on a trip to Jordan with American born Amani and her Jordanian born American father Gabe. The author immerses the reader in the culture and landscapes of Jordan as well as introducing the reader to family inter-dynamics and political mechanisms. Seldom does a book transport a reader so clearly to another country very different than our own. Fascinating!
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Marion T. (Palatine, IL)
Fencing with the King
I am afraid to say that I did not know anything about Jordan, the culture, the traditions or the politics, and was looking forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed. Diana Abu-Jaber hooked me from the beginning. Her storytelling unwound a story about the country, people, traditions, culture and politics while slowly unfolding a decade long mystery of one family. Looking forward to reading more from Diana!
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Gail B. (Albuquerque, NM)
Perfect
Set in 1995, "Fencing with the King" is a marvelously well written novel. It is the story of the Hamdan family-- deceased parents: Natalia, who fled Palestinian Gaza and married Musif, a "true Jordanian;" their sons: Musa, Hafez, Gabe and Farouz-- as told by Gabe's American-born daughter Amani, a floundering poet who travels with her father Gabe to celebrate King Hussein's 60th birthday where Gabe will, in fact, fence with the king.
This is Amani's story as she delves into her family's past. Her characters come to life, and the reader can almost feel the setting: Amman's skyline shines in the dawn; the sandstone walls close in as she rides through the Siq at Petra; readers can feel desert sand grinding in their teeth.
A perfect novel for book clubs. I wish I could write a review as eloquently as Abu-Jaber told her story.
