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Dinner at the Center of the Earth
Dinner at the Center of the Earth: A Novel | Nathan Englander
19 posts | 13 read | 13 to read
The best work yet from the Pulitzer finalist and best-selling author of For the Relief of Unbearable Urges--a political thriller that unfolds in the highly charged territory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and pivots on the complex relationship between a secret prisoner and his guard. A prisoner in a secret cell. The guard who has watched over him a dozen years. An American waitress in Paris. A young Palestinian man in Berlin who strikes up an odd friendship with a wealthy Canadian businessman. And The General, Israel's most controversial leader, who lies dying in a hospital, the only man who knows of the prisoner's existence. From these vastly different lives Nathan Englander has woven a powerful, intensely suspenseful portrait of a nation riven by insoluble conflict, even as the lives of its citizens become fatefully and inextricably entwined--a political thriller of the highest order that interrogates the anguished, violent division between Israelis and Palestinians, and dramatizes the immense moral ambiguities haunting both sides. Who is right, who is wrong--who is the guard, who is truly the prisoner? A tour de force from one of America's most acclaimed voices in contemporary fiction.
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BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

Once you are past the first 50 pages this political novel starts to make sense. It‘s all about Israel and the Palestines and the question whether there will ever be peace.
Until then, there will be spies and treaties, bombs and betray, love and hope. Nathan Englander captures all the feelings again.

Thank you again for sending me this book Cindy 💕

(Pic: Movieset in Mexico)

Cinfhen Are u in Mexico?? I bailed after about 25 pages....wasn‘t working for me 5y
LeahBergen Great photo. 5y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Yes I am, for a week. Shooting a commercial for an international NGO. It‘s very impressive as we are in the slums most of the time. 5y
See All 7 Comments
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen The first 25 pages were horrible, I know. I should say read a bit further but then again, I‘ve got your copy 😉😘 5y
Cinfhen Oh wow!! That‘s awesome - I thought you were a graphics designer & worked in a museum...Am I completely wrong?? I really don‘t think I would have liked this book even if I read the whole thing...I‘m happy you read it😊safe travels xx 5y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen You‘re almost right. I am a communication strategist in a design / communications agency. We‘ve got many museums among our clients but also others, like this NGO for whom I developed a campaign strategy. I don‘t do the filming myself! 5y
Cinfhen Such an awesome job ~ I knew you were a clever friend 💕 5y
47 likes7 comments
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tessavi
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Panpan

This book felt 'messy'. In the beginning I had to read a few sentences twice, but thankfully the writing style smoothed out about half way through. The story wasn't great, it was just engaging enough for me to want to finish it.

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arubabookwoman
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Mehso-so

Didn‘t care for this book. It‘s between a pan and so-so, but giving it the benefit of the doubt. The “spy” sequences are basically unbelievable and the spy himself is stupid and utterly clueless. The parts involving Prisoner Z and the parts involving the General were ok, but repetitious. And tha parts at the end came out of the blue and seemed to have nothing to do with the rest of the book.

SqueakyChu I wrote this about the book after I read it... What?!! After carefully noting who did what where and when throughout the entire book, I finished the last sentence of this novel and have no idea of what I just read. 😳 (edited) 6y
SqueakyChu Have you read The Ministry of Special Cases also by this author? That was an outstanding novel. 6y
arubabookwoman @SqueakyChu I haven‘t read that book but have heard wonderful things about it. That‘s why I gave this book the benefit of the doubt—maybe there‘s something in there for someone. I‘m still willing to give The Ministry of Special Cases a try. 6y
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SqueakyChu Do read The Ministry of Special Cases. It‘s much more coherent than this book. 6y
BarbaraBB I liked all his books so far. Wonder what I‘ll make of this one! 6y
Cinfhen I bailed about 1/3 way in!! I knew this book wasn‘t going to win me over. 6y
19 likes6 comments
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arubabookwoman
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I learned a new word today:

CALLIPYGOUS: ( sometimes used interchangeably with “callipygian.”)

It means “having well-rounded buttocks.”

KimHM 💙📚💚📚❤️📚💜📚 6y
tournevis Truth: it's used commonly in French. Because it does not sound like what it means. 6y
arubabookwoman #tournevis Does it have a different meaning in French? 6y
readordierachel Callipygian is my favorite word ☺ 6y
KateFulfordAuthor I am richer in knowledge thanks to your post! 6y
19 likes5 comments
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dsfisher
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A BIG thank you to @vkois88 for the incredibly generous giveaway package that I won. I was blown away and really excited to read these!

vkois88 Yay! I'm so glad it got there okay. Sorry it took me forever to get it shipped out, life fail! Enjoy ❤❤❤ 6y
vkois88 P.S. I love that the wrapping paper matches your walls! 😊😊 6y
AmyG How lovely!!! 6y
Drnkpnkprincess Love the wrapping paper, and LOVEd pretty girls! 6y
97 likes4 comments
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BarbaraBB
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She did it again 💕! And you‘re right Cindy, surprise bookmail is the best! Thank you so much, I‘ve been wanting to read Englander‘s new book as I loved all his other books. Thanks!!! 😘💕

Reviewsbylola Cindy‘s the best, and she‘s def not wrong!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 6y
Kalalalatja How wonderful! 💕 6y
AmyG 💕 6y
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ephemeralwaltz 💜💜💜 6y
emilyhaldi 🧚🏻‍♀️ 6y
Cinfhen Awwww, thanks @emilyhaldi @ephemeralwaltz @AmyG @Kalalalatja @Reviewsbylola and Barbara 😘😘😘but I really believe books are meant to be shared 💕💕 6y
69 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Cinfhen
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#Aprella #DinnerForTwo I picked up this book earlier this year and still haven‘t gotten to it☹️ I‘ve heard good things about this author so I‘m looking forward to reading this one #FridayFlowers are back 🌸🌷🌸

Cathythoughts Beautiful flowers 💕 6y
TrishB Yay for the Friday flowers 💐💕 6y
Caroline2 Oh Friday Flowers sound like a fab idea! 💐 6y
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batsy Gorgeous pic! 6y
Mdargusch Great photo! 👍🏼 6y
Mdargusch I always love your flowers. 😁 6y
Cinfhen Thanks so much @Mdargusch @batsy @TrishB @Cathythoughts @Caroline2 Just like books & music every home should be filled with flowers 🌷🎵📚🧡🌼🌸😀 6y
Mdargusch I agree! I just don‘t buy my flowers every Friday like you do. That‘s so nice to have a schedule for it. 🙂 6y
Cinfhen #movingperk @Mdargusch and hubby only fell for every other week 😜 but im not complaining 😍they really keep me happy 6y
emilyhaldi Yay! So happy to see the flowers are BACK!! 💐 6y
MissAimz_55 Ooooo I think I'm going to start Friday flowers. Flowers make me so happy . 6y
Cinfhen Exactly @MissAimz_55 they bring joy into your whole week💚💐💚💐 6y
Reviewsbylola Gorgeous 😍😍 6y
LeahBergen I have this 👇🏻 book from this author. Have you read it? 6y
Cinfhen No, I haven‘t @LeahBergen have u read it?!? He‘s meant to be a good writer 6y
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen I have read it! It is good. All his books are really good. Haven‘t read the one @cinfhen posts here yet though! 6y
BarbaraBB Totally agree on the flowers. I buy lots of them each Saturday at the market 🌻🌻🌻 6y
Cinfhen That‘s my idea of heaven @BarbaraBB the flower market 😇🌺🌻🌷🌼🌸🌹😇 6y
148 likes2 stack adds18 comments
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vkois88
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Sorry I was MIA over the weekend. I had to work, and then went to bed fairly early both nights since I've still got a hint of my cold... I was going to draw a winner of the tagged book last night BUT I'm extending it to Wednesday so anyone else who wants to can enter. Just drop a comment below that you want it (US only please), and I'll make a post when I draw a winner! 😊

Also coming up soon, I plan on doing a giveaway when I hit 5k Litfluence ❤

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vkois88
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I swear I thought I saw this on one of my friends' TBR list but I can't for the life of me remember who!! I picked it up to #payitforward so if it was you, let me know! Or, if there are a bunch of people who want it, I can do a drawing 😊

***Unfortunately, US shipping only right now***

MicrobeMom I am interest! The title is intriguing. Thanks! ❤️❤️😀 6y
booksensation I like this cover! 😍 6y
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kezzlou85 Looks interesting but I'm in England. Enjoy whoever gets it and A lovely idea to pay it forward 💛 6y
AmyG I‘d love it. Thank you so much! 6y
DGRachel Ooh, that looks interesting! 6y
dsfisher That does look good 6y
vicgreentoriafield Not me! But that's such a nice thing to do 6y
Bourriquet76 Ooh, I would! That sounds awesome! 6y
Ddzmini Oh yes I would love to read this book 😍😋 6y
28 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Floresj
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Pickpick

This a hard review to write. In some ways, this book was really engaging but in other ways, it was too jumpy for me. Each time I picked it up, it took me a bit to get back into it, but once I did, I really liked it. It's definitely not for everyone but if you like the Palestinian vs Israeli perspectives, this is a good book.

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Suet624
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Pickpick

It took me a few chapters but I grew to love this book. A prisoner, a guard, Israel, Palestine, spies, counterspies and terrorists. This is not your typical thriller. It‘s an exploration of a number of topics.

Cinfhen Just bought this one today! I‘m looking forward to reading it. Glad to hear you liked it 6y
Suet624 @Cinfhen I finished it several days ago and held off on writing because I didn‘t think I could write a review that did it justice. The book still lingers in my mind. Enjoy. And be patient with the beginning. Also check out Prisoner X on google when you‘re done. 6y
Cinfhen Thanks! Will do 6y
65 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Suet624
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Oh, I feel for those folks. I really do.

Izai.Amorim 😂😂😂 6y
46 likes2 comments
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GuiltyFeat
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Pickpick

I thought this was very fine. Perhaps the most Israeli novel I have ever read, combining a deep love of the country with real ambivalence for the things such love demands of its people. It's a bold narrative choice to write a number of chapters from the POV of Ariel Sharon... while he was in permanent vegetative state, but that's just the kind of book this is. Probably not for everyone, but very definitely for me.

Suet624 Halfway through this and really liking it. Great review. (edited) 6y
Cinfhen Excellent review, looking forward to reading this one 6y
44 likes2 comments
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Suet624
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Reading about a prisoner and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. What should pop up? Lonesome Dove. #lonedove

BarbaraBB Love this writer but haven‘t heard about this book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 6y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB Took a few chapters to get into it but now I can't stop. 6y
Reviewsbylola Omg!! That‘s too funny. 6y
See All 8 Comments
Mdargusch Love this! 🤠 6y
Tamra 😁 6y
Christyco125 🤣 6y
drbethandherkindle It‘s everywhere! 😂😂 6y
saresmoore Love it! 6y
65 likes8 comments
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Giovannacb
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Pickpick

Having lots of fun this week !! #litchat #bookriot

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

It took me a while to get into this one. The time jumps did not add anything to the story for me, but the story itself was very interesting.

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laurieluna
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When you get your Goodreads back and find this waiting for you! 😄

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DennisJacobRosenfeld
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Next up is the new Nathan Englander novel. I'm normally not a big fan of thrillers, but I'll give this one a shot since it's Englander. We'll see how it goes.

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FountainBookstore
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Coming back from #BookExpo on the train with one of my favorite snags. Actually stood in line for this one. I don't really do that anymore, too many meetings. But I couldn't resist!

17 likes1 stack add