An epic historical novel that covers an area of history I didn't know anything about. The main character, Midhat, ties the history together as he grows and loves and lives in Europe and in Palestine. An amazing novel and fascinating. A world away from our own yet the same worries and feelings prevail no matter wherever and whenever you live. An enjoyable and fascinating book.

This is a beautiful story set in France and Palestine in the period from 1914 to just before the start of the Second World War .It tells the story of Midhat Kamal who is sent to France from Nablus,in what was Palestine to study medicine.He lodges with a French doctor and his daughter ,Jeanette,but following a doomed love affair with her,leaves to continue his studies in Paris where he meets a group who are trying to make the case for an independent state of Palestine.
He eventually returns home and the book continues with the story of his life through marriage and children,with a plot development which is heartbreakingly sad in places.Midhat is a very sympathetic character whose life never quite works out as he hopes,but ultimately leaves the reader content.
This is a sweeping tale on a grand scale,outlining the complex history of the events that eventually lead to the creation of the state of Israel and the rebellion of the Palestinian people against the British.At times I found the historical details quite hard to follow and felt that there was sometimes too much of it,but ultimately I enjoyed the book,mainly because of the central character.