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SAMIR AND YONATAN
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From: Mercado, Nancy <NMercado>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 17:30:57 -0500
I read and loved Samir and Yonatan. The language of this book is so beautiful. I found the style unlike most of what I read. Perhaps this is the nature of reading things in translation?? Each language has it's own unique way of expressing itself and of seeing the world around it...so perhaps when things are translated, we are briefly "seeing" into another mode of thought that we wouldn't normally come across in our own language...
The nature of the relationship of the children in the hospital reminded me a bit of Bruce Brooks' Vanishing. I loved the interaction between these children! They all seemed to bond together in that way that we do when we are thrown together in momentary circumstances with other human beings. Tensions are intensified and relationships are built strongly and quickly. Even Samir, who observes so much and yet remains so secluded in his own thoughts...even he, by the end, is intricately and emotionally linked with the other children in the hospital.
I only have one question about the book (and although I suppose I could just ask Arthur and Zehava myself...I figured other might be curious as well!!) In the final scene (I don't know how much detail I should go into, just in case many haven't read) the Israeli Yonatan and the Palestinian Samir have an interesting encounter...where the reader gets the sense that there is a final peace happening between the two boys. However, the scene isn't your average
"pat on the back--we're friends now..." type of scene.
I'm wondering how the editors feel about this final scene? How did the translation process affect this part? Also, if anyone has used this book in the classroom, how have students responded to this final moment?
P.S If anyone objects to a discussion of the ending...just holler and I'll retract the question!! :)
Nancy Mercado Scholastic Book Clubs
Received on Mon 26 Mar 2001 04:30:57 PM CST
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 17:30:57 -0500
I read and loved Samir and Yonatan. The language of this book is so beautiful. I found the style unlike most of what I read. Perhaps this is the nature of reading things in translation?? Each language has it's own unique way of expressing itself and of seeing the world around it...so perhaps when things are translated, we are briefly "seeing" into another mode of thought that we wouldn't normally come across in our own language...
The nature of the relationship of the children in the hospital reminded me a bit of Bruce Brooks' Vanishing. I loved the interaction between these children! They all seemed to bond together in that way that we do when we are thrown together in momentary circumstances with other human beings. Tensions are intensified and relationships are built strongly and quickly. Even Samir, who observes so much and yet remains so secluded in his own thoughts...even he, by the end, is intricately and emotionally linked with the other children in the hospital.
I only have one question about the book (and although I suppose I could just ask Arthur and Zehava myself...I figured other might be curious as well!!) In the final scene (I don't know how much detail I should go into, just in case many haven't read) the Israeli Yonatan and the Palestinian Samir have an interesting encounter...where the reader gets the sense that there is a final peace happening between the two boys. However, the scene isn't your average
"pat on the back--we're friends now..." type of scene.
I'm wondering how the editors feel about this final scene? How did the translation process affect this part? Also, if anyone has used this book in the classroom, how have students responded to this final moment?
P.S If anyone objects to a discussion of the ending...just holler and I'll retract the question!! :)
Nancy Mercado Scholastic Book Clubs
Received on Mon 26 Mar 2001 04:30:57 PM CST
