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Ratings and Reviews From Readers Like You

Make a Friend of an Enemy

Although fictitious stories are not my cup of tea, the Middle East conflict always fascinated me where real solutions were always mysterious; making us wonder if it ever was possible? The way the drama was narrated in this book truly dealt with the depth of the conflict at the people level away from politics. The drama ends leaving its readers with a glimpse of hope that peace through music can become a means for making a friend out of an enemy and allow peace to take root in this area.

Riveting Read

Operation Olive Tree had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. This novel had so many twists and turns and the characters were really developed. I did not know a lot about the interpersonal struggles that plague everyday Israelis and Palestinians and the author helped me to really empathize with their situation. I loved the book and I absolutely recommend it. I could not put it down.

The Story of Two Aspiring Teens and the Challenges They Face

Jemil Metti wrote a powerful story of two teens who attend the same school--the school, Neve Shalom/Wahat-al Salam which is quite real, and who share the gift of operatic singing and the chance to work together, Israeli and Palestinian. The story also looks at the responses and challenges of their families and friends. The similarities are astounding, but not surprising. For those who want a better understanding of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , I recommend this book. And for those already familiar and perhaps shaded, it's a reminded of the possibilities.

Jemil Metti
Jemil Metti

Five Stars

A book you can't put down. Well worth reading and well written.

Fascinating Story

Wow! A great profound story!

This is a page turner book that will remain in my mind and soul for so long time. Thank you for gifting it to me!

From the first page, I knew I would love this book. It started with a shocking scene and continued to describe some unimaginable events that Iran’s people were facing almost 40 years ago.

There are emotional moments, fear everywhere, tortured people, insecurity and devastated families.

I loved the main characters and the story as it is, even if is hard to accept what happened at that time.

This book is like a lesson for us all. It’s about real events that happened because of corrupt people and a defectuous political system that damaged a nation. Unfortunately, this kind of events still happens these days in some countries.

Here are some of the quotes I like:

“If there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing to fear.”

“Even liars don’t lie about everything. Women are less inclined to fake their family stories than men; more likely than men to cheat for their families; men, more likely to cheat despite their families.”

“…it’s difficult to request a man’s freedom if the prisoner, under the spell of his captor, no longer sees himself a prisoner.”

Great Read, With a Plot that Picks Up Pace

Great read, with a plot that picks up pace with every page. Metti's writing is poetic, unsettling, and captivating. An excellent find for those looking for something new and exciting.

Very good "perception" from the author who has lived many years in Iraq

This is a wonderful read from my cousin, Jemil Metti. I have learned so much that I didn't know about him, such a his mom being Hungarian and his dad Iraqi and how he struggled as a youth after his mom passed when he was only an infant and the language barriers while growing up in Iraq. When I first met Jemil in New York i was approximately 12 and remember him as such a well spoken intellectual and kind, always with a smile, philosophical. I met him again years later in Chicago when I would visit my dad and hang out with my cousins and for some reason never knew he grew up in Iraq and always thought he lived and grew up here in the States. Being a "half breed" myself, I can relate to many perceptions he has and his feelings of the war; however, he has such a better insight than me, as I was only born in Iraq and only one year old coming back to the States.

Jemil Metti

Interviews with Jemil