Journal Entry 1 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

from the dust jacket:
"Bassam and George are childhood best friends who have grown to adulthood in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon. Now they must choose their futures: to stay in the city and amass power by joining the corrupt militia; or to become exiles abroad, alienated from the only existence they have ever known. Bassam chooses one path: obsessed with leaving Beirut, he embarks on a series of petty crimes to finance his departure. Meanwhile, George builds his status in the militia-ruled underworld of the city, and embraces a life of killing, crime for profit, and drugs. Eventually and inevitably, the fates of the two friends collide.

Told in the voice of Bassam, De Niro's Game is a beautiful, explosive portrait of contemporary young men shaped by a lifelong experience of war. Rawi Hage brilliantly fuses vivid, jump-cut, cinematic action (the title De Niro's Game refers to an iconic scene in the movie "The Deer Hunter," a movie beloved by the militiamen in Beirut, where the characters play Russian roulette) with the measured strength and beauty of Arabic poetry. His style mimics a world gone mad: so smooth and apparently sane that its sudden, razor-sharp dips into chaos and violence surprise and cut deeply.

Here is an astonishing, brilliantly paced, genre-defying look at life and death in a war-zone, and what comes after."

Shortlisted for the Giller, a GG nominee, and a finalist for the Writers' Trust prize. 

Journal Entry 2 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Thursday, February 08, 2007

This was a very good book. I'm surprised it didn't win the Giller (even though *I* preferred The Immaculate Conception). The language reminded me a bit of Hubert Aquin's Next Episode (but with a narrative that was much easier to follow). It's told from the point of view of Bassam who has grown up under the ten thousand falling bombs of Beirut's civil war. He's reached an age where he has to make a decision: try and make some kind of living in a city torn apart and crumbling into decay; join the militia and spend his days running drugs, watching for enemy attacks, and committing massacres; do whatever it takes to leave Lebanon. He decides on option three, and the third part of the novel is an account of how he tries to adapt to life outside of the war zone, while at the same time trying to come to terms with what he did and what he suffered in his bid to get out. A great first novel. 

Journal Entry 3 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Saturday, May 19, 2007

I sent this book out yesterday, finally. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 4 by gypsysmom from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Wednesday, May 23, 2007

With great timing this book arrived today. I say great timing because (a) I have just finished reading the last book chosen by my book clubs before we take our summer break and I was wondering what I should read next and (b) fighting in Lebanon is very much in the news now with attacks on the Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp forcing thousands to leave in haste.

Thanks Ibis. I'll be reading it very shortly. I believe this is a bookring so can you tell me who I should be contacting next. 

Journal Entry 5 by gypsysmom from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Sunday, June 03, 2007

I really, really wanted to like this book. Ever since I read the interview of the author in the Globe and Mail prior to the Gillers, it's been on my shortlist of books to read. So when Ibis3 offered it up I jumped at the chance. But (you knew there was going to be a but) I found Bassam an unlikeable character and I could not care about what was happening to him. Some would argue that he became the person he was because of the horrific experiences during the Lebanese civil war but my feeling, based upon incidents from his childhood that he narrated, was that he would have been a violent and manipulative adult anyway. Years ago I used to have to interview incarcerated criminals and what always struck me about them was that, when faced with a problem, their immediate solution was to commit a crime, either violent or property-based. And that's what I felt about Bassam. All kinds of people tried to help him but he always managed to drive them away.

In fact, about the only character I liked in the book was George's aunt Nabila. She genuinely seemed to care for George and Bassam without expecting anything in return. She should have been the one getting out of Beirut.

In a strange coincidence just as I was on my way to the computer to write this report, CBC led off its evening newscast with an article about the fighting in the Nahr el Bared camp. This quote from one of the militants in the camp shows that, even though the people and issues have changed, nothing is really different:

Meanwhile, Fatah Islam has continued to reject government calls for a surrender.

"This is not only impossible, this is unthinkable. Our blood is cheaper than handing over our weapons and surrendering," said Abu Hureira.

It's a sad commentary on life in the Middle East. 

Journal Entry 6 by gypsysmom from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I mailed this book at noon today. The post office cashier told me it was cheaper to send it in an Express Mail envelope and it would get to Quesnel quicker so that's what I did. 

Journal Entry 7 by ajsmom from Quesnel, British Columbia Canada on Monday, June 11, 2007

Caught today, thank you! 

Journal Entry 8 by ajsmom from Quesnel, British Columbia Canada on Saturday, June 16, 2007

I thought the writing was excellent - there were passages I read several times over just to savour them - but like gypsysmom, really didn't take to the protagonist. The violence got to me at points, and while I appreciated all the connectivity (the architectural drawings being passed on, the Mossad training of George), in a way, it was almost too neat. I need to do some research, as I don't know enough about the civil war in Lebonan (I was a kid in the 80's!) to fully understand the whole book.

I have PM'd bug2004 for an address and will have this in the mail as soon as I hear back! Thanks, Ibis, for another good read. 

Journal Entry 9 by ajsmom at mailed to next reader in Postal release, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (6/19/2007 UTC) at mailed to next reader in Postal release, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to bug2004. 

Journal Entry 10 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Saturday, June 23, 2007

Re'cvd today. Look forward to this one!!! 

Journal Entry 11 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Wow! I wasn't sure if I would love this one or not, but I really liked it. The writing was easy to follow and not knowing much about this time period, I was afraid I would be lost. It was terribly sad and interesting. Thanks so much for sharing and I do apologize for the delay.

Mailed off today to molekilby. 

Journal Entry 12 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, October 19, 2007

Received in the post today. This will be my next read. Thanks to Bug2004 for sending and Ibis3 for sharing. 

Journal Entry 13 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, October 29, 2007

I didn't find this an easy read, having said that I didn't struggle with it. I thought the author described things in great detail and drew similarities from all areas of life. I didn't take to Bassam, but that is not necessary (as various discussions on the fora point out) to enjoy the book, or appreciate the writing. He seemed the more sensible between George and himself, but there was a stubborn streak in there.

This is the third book I've read this month that has made me want to dig around the facts of cases. The other two being "The In-Between World of Vikram Lall" by M G Vassanji and "Jailbird" by Kurt Vonnegut.

I do have recollections of the war in the book, from John Craven's Newsround (a TV news bulletin show aimed specifically at children), although obviously not understanding (or remembering) all the detail. One report does stick in my mind which was looking at what Beirut was like prior to the war. I believe the report stated that it was a prosperous resort. Frequented by Europeans (may even have specified French). With fine buildings and history. I feel this was touched upon in the book with George's father, Laurent, memories prior to the start of the war and the musings of Bassam.

Thanks to Ibis3 for sharing this book, I have posted today onto Jinglefish. 

Journal Entry 14 by Jinglefish from Woking, Surrey United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Thanks Molekilby - the book has arrived safely today and is eagerly anticipated.

I have one book to finish then will be straight into this. 

Journal Entry 15 by Jinglefish from Woking, Surrey United Kingdom on Monday, November 19, 2007

It took me longer to read this than I thought - I was really eager but somehow didn't take to it - the characters were cold (except, as gypsysmom pointed out Nabila and his mother) and very unlikable. Infact, reading gypsysmom's journal entry I pretty much agree with everything she's written.

I was interested however in the almost death wish sometimes shown - Bassam's reluctance to enter the shelter during bombing raids, De Niro's game and his selfish, volatile temper, let alone his outlook on the role of women! Maybe that's a major obstacle to any form of progress today in the Middle East - too many years of war and volatile short tempers quick to act and slow to think! Complex issues that can't possibly be discussed here.

This is now ready to be returned to Ibis3 as I am last on the list. Will try to get to Post Office in next few days. Thank you Ibis3 for the opportunity of reading this.

Edited to add that all that agression is obvioulsy a self-defence mechanism following years of dog eat dog. I think perhaps the only sympany I felt was when Bassam was being tourtured and it occured to me how shocking it would be to live under these conditions. 

Journal Entry 16 by Jinglefish from Woking, Surrey United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Posted airmail back to Ibis3 today. 

Journal Entry 17 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Friday, November 30, 2007

This book has arrived back home safely. Thanks for participating everyone! 

Journal Entry 18 by Ibis3 at via Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament in By mail, Afghanistan release -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, July 05, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (7/5/2008 UTC) at via Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament in By mail, Afghanistan release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I decided to let this book continue its journey and sent it as part of gypsysmom's Canada Day Release Challenge to Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming who is doing a book drive for Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

I hope whoever finds this book enjoys this IMPAC Dublin Award-winning book. 

Journal Entry 19 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Saturday, February 21, 2009

This book was returned to me along with a bunch of others I had attempted to donate for troops to Afghanistan. Apparently they had too many donations (which is a good thing I guess :D). I'm now reserving it for a bookbox. 

Journal Entry 20 by loriped from Keizer, Oregon USA on Saturday, June 27, 2009

Received this in the mail today. It was one of the books I selected from collectorkerri's First Sentences VBB.

2. Ten thousand bombs had landed, and I was waiting for George.


Thanks for sending it to me.