A Hero
This novel delves into the complicated question of what constitutes a hero. Set in the turbulent background of the Arab Spring, each chapter in A Hero is told from the perspective of different members of one family. The conservative patriarch Mohammed believes in peace, education and prosperity, all of which the current dictatorship has given him. He scathingly attacks his young, idealistic brother-in-law Ahmed, who attends revolutionary protests at every opportunity. “Do you think you are a hero?” Mohammed sneers. “There are no heroes in this war.” Ahmed quietly replies that such situations create heroes, like the doctors setting up makeshift hospitals for the protestors despite the fact that they have no political affiliation, terrified that they themselves would be caught and tortured. Mohammed is consumed with anxiety that his home will be invaded and his family destroyed by the blind resistance of the protestors, who don’t seem to realize that the fall of the current dictator will result in chaos and probable massacre.
Although his eloquent logic strikes a sympathetic chord with the reader, Mohammed is an aggressive, dominant character who bullies his wife and four children, criticizes endlessly, and wages paranoiac diatribes against his sister and her family, who live with them. It is only when Mohammed leaves every morning for his work as a vet that the house relaxes into the rich interconnectivity of familial relationships: between Mohammed’s gentle wife Fatima and his sister Rana, who yearns desperately to contribute to this historic fight for freedom. Between the twelve-year old twins, who disobey their mother to hang around the edges of the exciting protests that take place every day in the town square, and Rana’s gentle son Mazin, whose effeminacy is a source of great anxiety to her. This formidable woman tends her chickens and her garden in the courtyard, sharing the produce with the neighbours and improving the lives of everybody around her, even though she cannot raise a placard with the men. Inevitably Ahmed is involved in a terrible incident where the army opens fire indiscriminately on the protesters and he is wounded critically. He wakes up in an underground cavern, surrounded by groaning, dying men stretched out on blankets on the floor. He calls weakly for water, and is stunned by what he discovers.
Through the exploration of the amazing, awful complexity that makes up every human being, this manuscript poses ethical questions that pertain to every culture.
Although his eloquent logic strikes a sympathetic chord with the reader, Mohammed is an aggressive, dominant character who bullies his wife and four children, criticizes endlessly, and wages paranoiac diatribes against his sister and her family, who live with them. It is only when Mohammed leaves every morning for his work as a vet that the house relaxes into the rich interconnectivity of familial relationships: between Mohammed’s gentle wife Fatima and his sister Rana, who yearns desperately to contribute to this historic fight for freedom. Between the twelve-year old twins, who disobey their mother to hang around the edges of the exciting protests that take place every day in the town square, and Rana’s gentle son Mazin, whose effeminacy is a source of great anxiety to her. This formidable woman tends her chickens and her garden in the courtyard, sharing the produce with the neighbours and improving the lives of everybody around her, even though she cannot raise a placard with the men. Inevitably Ahmed is involved in a terrible incident where the army opens fire indiscriminately on the protesters and he is wounded critically. He wakes up in an underground cavern, surrounded by groaning, dying men stretched out on blankets on the floor. He calls weakly for water, and is stunned by what he discovers.
Through the exploration of the amazing, awful complexity that makes up every human being, this manuscript poses ethical questions that pertain to every culture.
Media Coverage
The Chronicle Herald: Charlotte Mendel explores themes of power, family in A Hero
Global News - Morning News Halifax: Author Charlotte Mendel talks about her new book
News 95.7 Halifax: Charlotte Mendel talks about her new book with Sheldon MacLeod
Global News - Morning News Halifax: Author Charlotte Mendel talks about her new book
News 95.7 Halifax: Charlotte Mendel talks about her new book with Sheldon MacLeod
Reviews
Published Reviews
"This second novel is an in-depth exploration of the complex dynamics of a family living in an unnamed Middle Eastern country during a time of democratic upheaval. Protests and increasing violence loom in the back ground, yet the author's focus is on the turmoil playing out on the home front for her six main characters. They are: Rana, a woman with a lust for life and a willingness to speak her mind; her brother Mohammed, a domineering patriarch who is deeply worried about how the changes underway will affect his family and country; Fatima, Mohammed's wife, who accepts her passive role; Ahmed, Mohammed's brother, who is active in the protests; Zaynah, an eavesdropping girl; and Mazin, a clever boy with effeminate tendencies that worry his parents. Mendel tells the story through the eyes of these six characters, revealing the course of events and the complex family dynamics from differing points of view. A Hero a fascinating novel for readers who enjoy going deep inside the minds of multiple characters."
--Reviewed by Atlantic Books Today - September 17, 2015
"I liked reading this book, if for no other reason than getting an insight into a 'moderate/progressive' Muslim family. Living amongst daily demonstrations, machine gun fire, and killing in the streets is something we, in this part of the world have difficulty understanding. I think A Hero excels in both these areas and as such is a worthwhile read."
--The Miramichi Reader - October 15, 2015
"In this remarkably sensitive and intricate book, even the children of the family are carefully developed. The novel motivates its reader to question biases and easy answers, building sympathy for each perspective as the stories of family members unfold and connect."
--Canadian Literature, a Quarterly of Criticism and Review, 2016
Author Reviews
“With an ear for dialogue and a deep-seated understanding about the dynamics of a Middle Eastern family, Charlotte Mendel charts the challenging and heartfelt path of a family living during revolutionary times. A Hero is a poignant story of survival through a conflict that is raging not only at state level, but between family members as well. Mendel is a passionate writer.”
—Donna Morrissey
"Charlotte Mendel's tender look at an Arab family's passionate involvements takes us beyond headlines and into a nuanced and complicated world. If you're reading to understand the Middle East, A Hero is there to open your eyes and heart."
—Carole Giangrande, author of Midsummer and A Gardener on the Moon
"This second novel is an in-depth exploration of the complex dynamics of a family living in an unnamed Middle Eastern country during a time of democratic upheaval. Protests and increasing violence loom in the back ground, yet the author's focus is on the turmoil playing out on the home front for her six main characters. They are: Rana, a woman with a lust for life and a willingness to speak her mind; her brother Mohammed, a domineering patriarch who is deeply worried about how the changes underway will affect his family and country; Fatima, Mohammed's wife, who accepts her passive role; Ahmed, Mohammed's brother, who is active in the protests; Zaynah, an eavesdropping girl; and Mazin, a clever boy with effeminate tendencies that worry his parents. Mendel tells the story through the eyes of these six characters, revealing the course of events and the complex family dynamics from differing points of view. A Hero a fascinating novel for readers who enjoy going deep inside the minds of multiple characters."
--Reviewed by Atlantic Books Today - September 17, 2015
"I liked reading this book, if for no other reason than getting an insight into a 'moderate/progressive' Muslim family. Living amongst daily demonstrations, machine gun fire, and killing in the streets is something we, in this part of the world have difficulty understanding. I think A Hero excels in both these areas and as such is a worthwhile read."
--The Miramichi Reader - October 15, 2015
"In this remarkably sensitive and intricate book, even the children of the family are carefully developed. The novel motivates its reader to question biases and easy answers, building sympathy for each perspective as the stories of family members unfold and connect."
--Canadian Literature, a Quarterly of Criticism and Review, 2016
Author Reviews
“With an ear for dialogue and a deep-seated understanding about the dynamics of a Middle Eastern family, Charlotte Mendel charts the challenging and heartfelt path of a family living during revolutionary times. A Hero is a poignant story of survival through a conflict that is raging not only at state level, but between family members as well. Mendel is a passionate writer.”
—Donna Morrissey
"Charlotte Mendel's tender look at an Arab family's passionate involvements takes us beyond headlines and into a nuanced and complicated world. If you're reading to understand the Middle East, A Hero is there to open your eyes and heart."
—Carole Giangrande, author of Midsummer and A Gardener on the Moon
Where to buy?
Bookmark, Halifax: http://bookmarkinc.ca/halifax/
The Box of Delights Bookshop, Wolfville: http://www.boxofdelightsbooks.com/
!ndigo: A Hero
Amazon: A Hero
The Box of Delights Bookshop, Wolfville: http://www.boxofdelightsbooks.com/
!ndigo: A Hero
Amazon: A Hero