How do people and goods get in and out of Gaza? Do Gazans ever have fun? Is the Strip beautiful? And do TV reports actually reflect ordinary life inside the world’s largest open-air prison? Meet Me in Gaza reveals the pleasures and pains, hopes and frustrations of Gazans going about their daily lives, witnessed and recounted by award-winning writer Louisa Waugh. Interspersed with fascinating historical, cultural and geographical detail, this is an evocative portrait of a Mediterranean land and its people.
Review
'This book celebrates Gaza, its joys, its iron will to survive in the face of adversity and the humour that sustains its people. Vividly written, it is infused with a love of life.' Raja Shehadeh 'The power and value of this brave account lies in [Waugh's] description of the people of Gaza and the lives they live' Anthony Sattin, Sunday Times Travel Books of the Month 'Powerful and deeply heartfelt - Louisa Waugh has succeeded in showing us the true face of Gaza. I urge everyone to read this.' Izzeldin Abuelaish 'A moving and fascinating insight into life in Gaza' Esther Freud 'A riveting, revealing and poignant account' Mariella Frostrup, BBC4 Open Book 'A very different offbeat insight into Gaza and its people, delivered in a narrative style that succeeds precisely because it is simple, straightforward and devoid of any ostentation - As readers we should be grateful for that and the eloquent, perceptive book [Waugh] has written.' David Pratt, Sunday Herald 'A tender portrait of beleaguered humanity.' Chris Stewart 'The beautiful normality of people shines from each page - ordinary, quirky people forced to live in the most brutal of situations, coping one day after another. Waugh's book is a worthy tribute to them.' Sarah Irving, Electronic Intifada 'Waugh finds laughter, rage, resistance and beauty in Gaza and even, despite all the odds, hope. Her honest and big-hearted celebration of the Gazan people deserves the warmest welcome.' Stars: 5 New Internationalist, www.newint.org 'Deeply moving and deeply disturbing' Middle East Monitor 'An admirable book' The Economist
About the Author
Louisa B. Waugh: Louisa B. Waugh lived and worked in the Gaza Strip from December 2007 to April 2009. Her other works include Hearing Birds Fly: A Nomadic Year in Mongolia, which won the 2004 inaugural Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, and Selling Olga: Stories of Human Trafficking and Resistance.
Description:
How do people and goods get in and out of Gaza? Do Gazans ever have fun? Is the Strip beautiful? And do TV reports actually reflect ordinary life inside the world’s largest open-air prison? Meet Me in Gaza reveals the pleasures and pains, hopes and frustrations of Gazans going about their daily lives, witnessed and recounted by award-winning writer Louisa Waugh. Interspersed with fascinating historical, cultural and geographical detail, this is an evocative portrait of a Mediterranean land and its people.
Review
'This book celebrates Gaza, its joys, its iron will to survive in the face of adversity and the humour that sustains its people. Vividly written, it is infused with a love of life.' Raja Shehadeh 'The power and value of this brave account lies in [Waugh's] description of the people of Gaza and the lives they live' Anthony Sattin, Sunday Times Travel Books of the Month 'Powerful and deeply heartfelt - Louisa Waugh has succeeded in showing us the true face of Gaza. I urge everyone to read this.' Izzeldin Abuelaish 'A moving and fascinating insight into life in Gaza' Esther Freud 'A riveting, revealing and poignant account' Mariella Frostrup, BBC4 Open Book 'A very different offbeat insight into Gaza and its people, delivered in a narrative style that succeeds precisely because it is simple, straightforward and devoid of any ostentation - As readers we should be grateful for that and the eloquent, perceptive book [Waugh] has written.' David Pratt, Sunday Herald 'A tender portrait of beleaguered humanity.' Chris Stewart 'The beautiful normality of people shines from each page - ordinary, quirky people forced to live in the most brutal of situations, coping one day after another. Waugh's book is a worthy tribute to them.' Sarah Irving, Electronic Intifada 'Waugh finds laughter, rage, resistance and beauty in Gaza and even, despite all the odds, hope. Her honest and big-hearted celebration of the Gazan people deserves the warmest welcome.' Stars: 5 New Internationalist, www.newint.org 'Deeply moving and deeply disturbing' Middle East Monitor 'An admirable book' The Economist
About the Author
Louisa B. Waugh: Louisa B. Waugh lived and worked in the Gaza Strip from December 2007 to April 2009. Her other works include Hearing Birds Fly: A Nomadic Year in Mongolia, which won the 2004 inaugural Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, and Selling Olga: Stories of Human Trafficking and Resistance.