Some questions are from the Jewish Women’s Archive Book Discussion (jwa.org)
8. Two different points in the story exhibit individual need/weakness and consequent partner support: when Hilmi is feverishly painting during his “golden time” and when Liat literally has a horrible fever. How do these experiences showcase the best and worst in Liat and Hilmi? What is your attitude toward each as they navigate these trials?
9. All the Rivers was first suggested for, and then famously banned from, Israeli high school reading lists when it was first released. Why do you think it was suggested, and why did the Israeli Ministry of Education ban it? Where do your sympathies lie in this controversy?
10. Hilmi's and Liat's story is based on a real relationship between Rabinyan and a Palestinian artist—including the ending. How does knowing that the book was based on a true story change your reading of it? Revisit the last few chapters and evaluate the ending—how does Rabinyan/Liat depict Hilmi’s last moments? Does she, perhaps, make drowning almost “beautiful” or “palatable” via her portrayal of it?
11. What are some of your favorite quotes/passages? Why?
12. What are the major themes of this novel (recall that themes must be stated in a COMPLETE SENTENCE)? Consider finding quotations that can also be theme sentences.
13. Prior to reading the novel, did you know much about the conflict in Israel/Palestine? What most surprised you from the book about this situation?
14. Why should/shouldn’t World Lit students read this novel?
Some questions are from the Jewish Women’s Archive Book Discussion (jwa.org)
8. Two different points in the story exhibit individual need/weakness and consequent partner support: when Hilmi is feverishly painting during his “golden time” and when Liat literally has a horrible fever. How do these experiences showcase the best and worst in Liat and Hilmi? What is your attitude toward each as they navigate these trials?
9. All the Rivers was first suggested for, and then famously banned from, Israeli high school reading lists when it was first released. Why do you think it was suggested, and why did the Israeli Ministry of Education ban it? Where do your sympathies lie in this controversy?
10. Hilmi's and Liat's story is based on a real relationship between Rabinyan and a Palestinian artist—including the ending. How does knowing that the book was based on a true story change your reading of it? Revisit the last few chapters and evaluate the ending—how does Rabinyan/Liat depict Hilmi’s last moments? Does she, perhaps, make drowning almost “beautiful” or “palatable” via her portrayal of it?
11. What are some of your favorite quotes/passages? Why?
12. What are the major themes of this novel (recall that themes must be stated in a COMPLETE SENTENCE)? Consider finding quotations that can also be theme sentences.
13. Prior to reading the novel, did you know much about the conflict in Israel/Palestine? What most surprised you from the book about this situation?
14. Why should/shouldn’t World Lit students read this novel?