⭐️⭐️⭐️
Werner Sonne’s Where the Desert Meets the Sea is set in Jerusalem during the late 1940s, a time when the city was fractured by politics, religion, and the looming birth of Israel. It follows two women—one Jewish, one Arab—whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined against this backdrop of conflict and change. Through their experiences, readers see how personal loyalties, faith, and survival collide in a world on the brink of war.
I appreciated learning more about the history of the British in the Holy Land and how deeply disliked they were by the Jewish community. That context gave me new insight into the period and its struggles. Unfortunately, much of the storytelling was bland and uninteresting. While the premise promised tension and emotional depth, the execution often fell flat, with uneven pacing and characters that felt more symbolic than real.
Readers who want a better understanding of the region’s history may find value here, but as a novel, it lacks the spark needed to fully engage. For me, it earns three stars: worthwhile for the lessons in history, but disappointing in its narrative drive.