A Bottle in the Gaza Sea Hardcover – April 1, 2008

This story about the relationship between an Israeli girl, Tal, and a Palestinian boy, Naim, via e-mail and instant messaging, is honest but hopeful. Well-written and compelling, the tale of their relationship conveys the confusion, anger, exhaustion, and depression felt by many young people during the 2003 intifada. Tal sees what's hiding behind Naim's cynicism and sarcasm, and she and her family are definitely on the liberal side of the political spectrum, but she won't put up with his victim mentality and asks him, "...where exactly are your advocates for peace? Why are there never a hundred thousand Palestinians gathered together calling for peace with us, without hatred in their eyes? Why did the intifada break out ... when we ... were prepared to give you a state? How can you accept the fact that terrorists kill women, children, babies?" Naim protests collective punishment by the Israelis, among other perceived oppressions, but he also criticizes the Palestinians and especially resents the Islamic fundamentalists. He yearns for freedom and eventually finds a way to study in Canada. Bottle in the Gaza Sea is more nuanced, and is particularly strong in portraying a non-stereotyped Gaza, including Internet, restaurants, etc.- REVIEWED BY SUSAN BERSON - DENVER, COLORADO

I saw the movie & wanted to have a bit more depth to the story line. As usual, the movie & the book are different. I actually like them both & totally understand why film & the written word have to change it up a bit & sometimes a lot. I didn't know that it was written for teens. That probably explains why it wasn't filled with blood & guts. The struggle between any warring countries is horrid & heartbreaking, but this story shows the perseverance in TRYING to understand the heart of the people suffering through it, that are on the opposing side. I wish all my friends would read it, and their families.....I will read it again...

I was not sure what to expect, but this book really made me think about what it is like to live during these times in Gaza. The images are intense at times, but that is the reality for many. Well written story and an enjoyable read.

The honesty of the online relationship seems true to life. Though sometimes negative and unfriendly, the relationship develops into a respectful bond one would hope for in human contacts.

Engaging, interesting, surprise ending!

This book is tremendous. One of the best books I have ever read. It can even be compared with the Hunger Games Trilogy. I really liked how the book ended by Nairm saying he was going to study in Canada.

Simplistic story of life of teenagers inJerusalem and Gaza.

As the author of  The Last Moderate Muslim , a peace activist, and one who lived inside West Beirut during the Lebanese civil war, I ask you to not consume yourselves with taking inventory of sound bites and chapter length to reconcile even-handedness. You will miss the powerful themes embedded in the storyline(s). In my mind, the story points a finger at planet Peace. Some might busy themselves looking at the finger. They will question the intent or narrative. They will miss taking the journey of humanity to reach that planet.The story satisfies the need for expressing the Palestinians' way of life more so than has been done in rhetoric (words) and violence (actions) to-date. It addresses the fears that Israelis are experiencing as well.I found myself in the story, since I experienced similar and parallel living conditions and encounters. At times, I was on the brink of tears.Both Naim and Tai lived in a world circumscribed to them differently. Tai's world was defined by fear while living in the open. She feared bus rides. She avoided a café, where once others were killed. She didn't know when her turn will be up, and didn't accept it as a way of life. She grew paranoid. She became lonely among family and friends. On the other hand, her friend was indifferent; Like most, her friend marched where blood was spilled before. Not her! She was sensitive, but not weak. She resisted getting habituated on those terms.Tai demanded privacy at her computer, when Naim sought one in the bathroom. She didn't see right or wrong; us or them; kill or be killed. At first, Naim did. She saw her world diminishing with every act of violence on both sides. She unsubscribed to the wisdom of her parents, but didn't approve or sympathize with Naim or the Palestinians. She confronted her brother in the restaurant by asking, "Did you kill ..." She rejected her brother's responses directly and Naim's without severing the connection that she valued. Like her parents, she accepted sudden loss of her brother and people around her as a condition of humanity.Naims' world was defined geographically. He accepted the lesser world, in which he lived, as normal. He knew something was out there, but like his friends and adults around him, they talked big but had little plans and no access. When he first met Tai, his humor was odd--it is accurately depicted. He was cynical. He called Tai naive when she talked about peace. Those entrenched in the daily struggles for survival are prone to do so. Not Tai! Not Naim later!Naim's beating and inhumane interrogation is regrettably accurate. His expectations of a female connecting with him in Gaza was unimaginable. To experience romance and intimacy, his cousin had to get married. His feelings for Tai breathed life into his ambitions. He began to see color. His hopes for meeting her and experiencing a bond with a soft voice, he once called naïve, motivated him to seek a better life. It stiffened his spine. He confronted his uncle, sought higher education, and pursued civility, after he was deadened by living in confined space with mounds of filthy garbage around corners. Tai's presence in his life, that ounce of romance have his life took a new meaning. Thoughts of peace entered his mind because they injected hope for being with Tali. Thematically speaking, love flourishes in peace.

A wonderful book which I highly recommend. Set in Israel and Gaza the story revolves around two young people - a jewish girl and an arab boy - who correspond via the internet after she asks her soldier brother to throw a bottle in the Gaza Sea with a message. A beautiful, moving and painful insight into the Middle East conflict. I highly recommend it. I have seen the film version of this novel and hope very much that it will be available here in the UK.