Waking Lions by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen

Review by: Isabel Morford-Cheibub

The short
Accidental manslaughter and forbidden romance between and Eritrean refugee and an Israeli doctor

The long
Eitan Green is an accomplished Israeli neurosurgeon with a loving wife, two beautiful kids, and a red SUV that can take him wherever he wants to go. Sirkit is an Eritrean refugee who scrubs floors at a gas station restaurant and shares a trailer with other Eritrean refugees, including her abusive husband. When Eitan accidentally hits Sirkit’s husband, she seizes the opportunity to create a better life for herself, even if it comes at the expense of Eitan and others. As the story progresses, the relationship between Eitan and Sirkit evolves from one of cold dislike and distrust to one of curiosity and allure, with a touch of danger. Gundar-Goshen entices readers from the first page through its perfect mixture of loathing and romance, betrayal and forgiveness, and guilt and innocence.

To read or not to read?
Through the book’s social commentary, introspection, and relatable character growth, readers can expect to not only understand Israeli society better, but also grapple with complex and relevant issues to people from all over the world, including racial inequality, apathy towards social justice, and building and maintaining trust.