Most helpful customer reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars
What's wrong with being culturally clear?, Feb 6 2004
By A Customer
Arabian Jazz is a wonderful novel, yes a little uneven in style, but overall great fun. Truly American. Knowing Arab culture here and in the Middle East, I loved the characters and the interactions with non-Arabs (loving, sad, sometimes racist). One real criticism of Abu-Jaber here, less so in her other novel, Crescent, is that she tries to incorporate Muslim attitudes and Muslim Arabic phrases in with what is her better-known culture, Christian Arab. There are differences and I think American readers are ready to understand that not every Arab is Muslim. They should not be misled by having Muslim customs and greetings appear to be universal. Melvie says to her Aunt Rima "May the grace of Allah and his prophet be upon you." This is not something a Christian girl would say to her Christian auntie, and on top of that it is not something any Muslim would say either. "...the grace of his prophet be upon you"?! Elsewhere there are serious comments and jokes made about multiple wives. If it were made clear that someone is advocating that the man would follow Muslim tradition and take another wife, OK, but it is about a Christian guy at a church party. It's true that secular Arabs of Christian background might mix it up with Islamic bits of culture, but not in the way Abu-Jaber has done. I just don't think it is as loose as the author makes it out to be, especially among Muslim Arabs, even if they are not practicing their religion. She has played into the trap of lumping all Arabs together just as many non-Arab Americans are accused of doing, but this time they are lumped together in a cultural stew of unbelievable elements. Never the less...I laughed as I laugh when I am in the Middle East. Someone once asked me why Muslims, especially Arabs, are so serious all the time. I thought this was odd, since I never laugh as much in America as I do in the Middle East. Abu-Jaber brings out the wry side, the compassionate, accepting of tragedy side, the hilarious side of Arab-ness.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Uneven, but when it's good it soars, Jul 22 2003
Worth reading, though the first few pages (and some later) are extremely disappointing. Arabic names are mispronounced, the attempt at comedy is poor, and none of the characters are remotely sympathetic. As the book proceeds, we meet a very different kind of writing. Some of the passages in the book are exceptionally insightful and well written. For those passages it is well worth reading the book. I would rate the book between 1 and 5. It won't tell you much about Arab culture except in parody, but it portrays alienation and prejudice with candor and poignancy.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A joyful adventure in cultural diversity, Jul 4 2003
This light-hearted and imaginative novel portrays a Jordanian family as they adjust to life in the United States. Jazz musician and widower Mattusem Ramoud has raised his two daughters alone since his wife's death, balancing their lives as Americans with their Jordanian hertiage. The extended family is like any other large, eccentric group of people, full of intensity and humor, loving each other unconditionally through whatever difficulties arise.Jemorah and Melvina have reached marriageable age and their Aunt Fatima, Matussem's sister, is determined that this year, during "Family Function Season", at least Jemorah will find a husband before she is old enough to be disqualified as a spinster. The search is on and Fatima leaves no stone unturned, offering an assortment of odd relatives, second cousins and distant "uncles". But Jemora is in no hurry to make a choice that will alter the course of her life, determined to make a well-informed decision. This intimate peek into one Arab-American family's experience, blends two generations of Ramouds, all of them quirky and colorful. Many are recent visitors from Jordan who speak in fractured English that renders them even more charming and eccentric, if that is possible, as Abu-Jaber holds her finger directly on the pulse of this remarkable family. Cousin Saiid enthuses, "I must be in heaven, man. You are our cousins, man? This is completely, like, my mind is psyching out." Old Country fables abound, along with the foolish antics of the younger generation in this eclectic mix of characters. Each page is a delight, bursting with life and energy, family connections and intimate portraits of the bonds of love. Whatever Jemorah decides, she will always have a soft place to fall, her Jordanian-American family her greatest asset. Abu-Jaber has deftly penned the tale of a raucous family, enthusiastic about everything in their lives, music, the future and each other. The Ramoud's share their fascinating culture with the reader, reinforcing the belief of an America that offers infinite possibilities to those who embrace her opportunity and generosity, enriching this country with their accomplishments. Luan Gaines/2003
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