Book Review: All The Rivers By Dorit Rabinyan 5/5 Stars

Choosing water as a theme for 2025  has REALLY  had me choosing some books I might not have read before. All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan probably would not have been on my list, but it SHOULD have been.  It should have been on my list in 2014 and it probably should be on your list also. Let me tell you all my reasons why! 

This novel ripped me apart emotionally and really opened up my thoughts.

All the Rivers is a bit like an onion there are so many layers. This book, written by an Israeli woman, has been banned in Israel for young persons as inappropriate content.  (for my US readers, that may sound a little bit familiar).

   The premise of the novel is a love story of Liat (an Israeli) and Helmi (an Arab)  who meet unexpectedly in NYC  and have a deep and passionate love affair. (the book itself, in case anyone is concerned- does not contain on page love scenes or anything of that sort). 

   The writing is really high quality, this is an infinitely readable novel, and although it doesn't have a plot of a typical romance (couple meets, falls in love, faces some challenges, reaffirms love with a Happy Ever after ending) , it draws the reader in to the story.   Having survived the brutal winter that I believe the author is referring to, I could deeply relate as she described the mountains of snow and ice and unending gray skies, as she and Helmi navigate a relationship that is overshadowed by the Middle Eastern Situation.  I felt drawn in and could relate to the life she and Helmi build for themselves. The fact that the writing was still excellent after translation speaks to the skill of Rabinyan and the translator Jessica Cohen. 

   While we explore Liat and Helmi's growing relationship- and the challenges it brings-  the reader is given space to think about and explore concepts of love, cultural identity, prejudice, family, sacrifice and more.  This isn't a true "Love conquers all" story, which makes it all the more attractive.  Liat struggles to not view Helmi as as "enemy", Helmi struggles with Liat's very strongly held beliefs, and neither is able to exactly put these parts of their identity aside in favor of their relationship.  It is indeed a wild dance where they are both it seems about to lose their balance and fall wildly into an ocean of chaos. In fact, I could barely put the book down because I had to know how it would end. 

I will tell you the ending shocked and surprised me and figuratively tore my heart right out of my chest. And after finishing, reading that it was based on a "true story"  I felt so much more sorrow.  But of course, I'm not going to tell anyone how this love affair plays out. 

This is an excellent read for persons interested in the current conflict in the Middle East, 

Folks wanting to read/support banned books, and those who are  interested in reading something that's well written, which will settle into your brain like a thick heavy snow. 

Let me know if you've read this book and what your thoughts were, or if you're going to be requesting it from the library! If you like this post, please share it, as it helps books - even books published some time ago- get discovered and rediscovered. 

STATS

First Published 2014

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  death, war, inter-racial relationships, political conflict, family turmoil  

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)