Today I'm welcoming
Michelle Cohen Corasanti to The Edible Bookshelf. She is here to talk
about her new book, The Almond Tree.
1. What was your inspiration for this book?
I wrote The Almond
Tree because I realized that a writer can reach into readers’ hearts and change
them forever. I was raised in a Zionist home where German cars
were boycotted and
Israeli bonds were plentiful. I went to Israel, for ONE summer, during my
high school years with our rabbi’s daughter to study Hebrew, but ended up
staying for 7 years.
Whilst there I learned
that everything I had been taught about Israel was a lie. Prior to
living there, I though that Palestine and Israel were
synonomous. I wrote this book to show that there is a better way. I saw a
glimmer of hope when, during my time at Harvard University, I
witnessed a Palestinian scientist with an Israeli colleague working together to
advance humanity, and this gave me the inspiration for the book
2. Would you classify your writing as plot driven or character driven?
The Almond Tree is
mainly plot driven. It is the story of a little boy who is born into a brutal
world and against all odds goes on to achieve what other men have only dreamed.
The plot, although largely a vehicle for an instructive allegory, was there to
keep the carry the readers through both stories i.e. the fiction and the
exposition.
Of course the
characters were also very important on both levels; Ichmad’s brother had to be
how he was in order to represent the exponents of the type of reasoning
responsible for people taking the wrong path, and its ultimate consequences.
3. Can you tell us a little about your main character?
We meet the
Palestinian Muslim protagonist when he is seven years old on the day his
innocence ends, and we follow him over the next fifty-five years. He grows up
in a rural, impoverished village in the Triangle which is inside
of Israel under Israeli military government. He goes on to achieve
equality in Israel, and international recognition.
4. Which of your supporting characters was the most challenging to write?
Writing Nora, the
Jewish American peace activist, was a major challenge. With hindsight, I can
see that I tried to make her into everything I wished I had been, but failed to
be. No one likes a perfect character, but I was unable to give her any flaws,
so I had to find the most selfless and heroic ending I could for her.
5. Without giving away
too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book.
Ichmad Hamid is born
into an impoverished, Israeli military ruled village. His father is imprisoned,
his mother illiterate, and he must support his mother and 8 siblings. He
promised his father that he would make something of his life and he is
determined to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.
6. Why did you choose this genre?
I wanted to help bring
about social change. I wanted to attract the largest audience possible. With
fiction I was able to hit on as many universal themes as possible, and create a
gripping story. I chose this genre because I wanted to shine a light so bright
the whole world could see, and in order to do that I had to create an amazing
story that would pull the reader in and not let him go until the end.
7. What do you hope readers take away from this book?
7. What do you hope readers take away from this book?
I hope readers will
realize that we should celebrate differences but also focus on our
commonalities to advance humanity, and that no one is free until we all are
free. We can’t be bystanders to human suffering. Peace is possible, and we must
all do whatever it takes to achieve a just peace.
8. Who are your favorite authors?
I think it would be
easier for me to name my favourite book because I don’t always like all an
author’s books.
My Favourite Books
are:
The Kite Runner,
Mudbound, Night,
Kane and Able,
The Reluctant
Fundamentalist,
The Invisible Bridge,
A Thousand Splendid
Suns,
Open, Happens Every
day,
White Tiger,
Sarah’s Key,
The Lovely Bones,
Those Who Save Us,
Amongst others which I
won’t remember until this interview goes online, and it’ll be too late.
9. Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write?
During my lazy hazy
days as a student, which I managed to spin that out for 10 glorious years, I
got into the habit of writing essays in bed, so as to avoid leaving what Bill
Hicks called his second womb. I’m currently propped up against my comfy pillows
typing the answers to your questions. That’s my ritual, I do most of my work in
bed.
10. Can you tell us
about any future projects?
Guillermo Fesser, a
Spanish TV and Radio celebrity has formed The Almond Tree Project to shine a
light, and show that peace is not only possible, but realistically achievable.
We will be doing
events throughout the world, and at every event Guillermo will interview me and
there will be great singers and speakers participating as well. Our first event
is April 23 in my hometown of Utica in New York.
In Celebration of its 85th Anniversary
The Stanley Presents
The Almond Tree Project
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The Stanley, Utica NY
Native Utican, Michelle Cohen Corasanti, who lived in Israel for
seven years and has an undergraduate degree from HebrewUniversity, and
graduate degree from Harvard in Middle Eastern Studies has written a novel
called The Almond Tree, which has become an international bestseller. Even
though this is her first book, she’s already distinguished herself enough to
have upcoming speaking engagements at the Florida International Book
Club, The Women’s Alliance and most prestigiously of all, the UN Commission for
the Gulf Coast to name but a few.
This has been put
together to celebrate the positive effects that The Almond Tree book is having
around the world. In the book, its author, Michelle Cohen Corasanti, discovers
what to her had been an unknown world, and through it, projects a perspective conveying
hope. In her narrative, Michelle gives voice to the Palestinian people without
apportioning blame, or promoting hatred.
In highlighting their
struggle, she hopes to promote a dialogue which will bring about peace in the
region. Despite being a Jewish American woman, she does a brilliant job of
writing from the point of view of a Muslim Palestinian male. This was, as one
can easily imagine, a struggle for her, and her success in doing so is a
testament to her writing skills. If we all had her capacity for empathy, would
there be any more wars?
The book, which is
based on her real-life observations, proposes that we examine this
wonderful part of the world by putting ourselves in the shoes of its denizens.
Guillermo Fesser; one of the bright lights of Spanish TV
and Radio, has interviewed everyone from Jack Nicholson to the King of Jordan;
is responsible for putting together The Almond Tree Project, which is so-named
in honour of the book , will be interviewing Michelle at the event. Also
involved in The Almond Tree project is David Broza who is one of the greatest
Israeli singers, songwriters and musicians of all time. He will be singing the
Almond Tree song that was inspired by Michelle’s book along with other songs.
The night will also include Israeli peace activist Miko Peled.
His grandfather signed the Israeli declaration of independence, his father was
a general in the Israeli army during the ’48 and ’67 conflicts, and his beloved
niece was killed by 2 suicide bombers as she shopped for school supplies.
He is the author of The General’s Son and would also like to show a better
way. To round the evening of, we will have Palestinian superstar singer,
songwriter and musician Mira Awad.
6:00 PM: Special
lecture by Peace Activist and author of The General’s Son, Miko Peled- Tickets:
$10
7:30 PM: The Almond
Tree Project: Tickets: $10, $20, and $40, Students: $8; Group Pricing
Available
The Stanley Box Office 259 Genesee
Street, Utica
All Proceeds to Benefit The Stanley
For more information, please visit www.thealmondtreeproject.com
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