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Revolution
"Do we ever really fight over religion?
Or do we use religion to fight?"
Escape to the Middle East in this thrilling tale about Khalid, Abdullah and Jalal – young men who try to shape the kingdom of Beledar.
While the nearest battlefields of WWII are hundreds of miles of away, on the streets of Mayasin, the capital of Beledar, Abdullah struggles to survive. In a remote village, Khalid sets out in search of his father, and must face the brutal laws of the desert.
Jalal, the young king, wants to break through nepotism and corruption, but in a conservative, Islamic country, change doesn’t come easy. That the western world preys on his country’s oil fields, doesn’t make his life any easier either.
In this exciting book, Wokke expertly and poignantly shows the roots of modern conflicts in the Middle East, through the people and ideas that inhabit it.
Or do we use religion to fight?"
Escape to the Middle East in this thrilling tale about Khalid, Abdullah and Jalal – young men who try to shape the kingdom of Beledar.
While the nearest battlefields of WWII are hundreds of miles of away, on the streets of Mayasin, the capital of Beledar, Abdullah struggles to survive. In a remote village, Khalid sets out in search of his father, and must face the brutal laws of the desert.
Jalal, the young king, wants to break through nepotism and corruption, but in a conservative, Islamic country, change doesn’t come easy. That the western world preys on his country’s oil fields, doesn’t make his life any easier either.
In this exciting book, Wokke expertly and poignantly shows the roots of modern conflicts in the Middle East, through the people and ideas that inhabit it.
446 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2017
About the author
Piet Hein Wokke
1 book15 followersPiet Hein Wokke studied History in Groningen, focusing on contemporary conflicts and Middle Eastern history. He started his professional career in politics and played a central role in three successive election campaigns.
Although the campaigns were successful, Piet believed that his own future lay somewhere else. He exchanged his job as a political consultant for a job as a waiter – later manager – in a beach restaurant in Scheveningen, and spent three years there.
Piet had always dreamed of writing books, and in the fall of 2013 he decided that the time had come. He took his savings and retreated to his parents for two years to work on his first novel, Revolution, which is published by XowoX Publishing.
Although the campaigns were successful, Piet believed that his own future lay somewhere else. He exchanged his job as a political consultant for a job as a waiter – later manager – in a beach restaurant in Scheveningen, and spent three years there.
Piet had always dreamed of writing books, and in the fall of 2013 he decided that the time had come. He took his savings and retreated to his parents for two years to work on his first novel, Revolution, which is published by XowoX Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 27, 2017
One of the best novels I read in a long time! "Shepherds use religion to fight; sheep fight over religion". It is one of the great quotes in the novel written by Dutch historian Piet Hein Wokke (3 June 1985) who studied history in Groningen, focusing on contemporary conflicts and Middle Eastern history. Even when the book is set in a fictitious country called Beledar situated between Jordan and Iraq, the novel sheds light on many real things regarding the region while telling a captivating story in the meantime: What is the difference between the Sunni and the Shi'a muslims? Why did people call followers of Islam Mohammedans in the past and why do Muslims prefer to be called Muslims? (Because they think the term Mohammedans implies they worship Mohammed like Christians worship Christ). And when you are familiar with the history of the region you recognise elements of Jordanian and Iraqi historic facts in the tale of fantasy Beledar.
The story is about two young boys: Abdullah and Khalid who are just in their teens when the story starts and when young emir Jalal (who will become King later on) takes over the reign from his father. Still children both boys have to kill someone.
Abdullah is a street rat from the city who is given the chance to go and work for king Jalal. Khalid a younger son of a more or less well-to-do merchant from a desert oasis who runs away to the army with his brother and rises through the ranks.
We follow both boys growing up into men and in between we see short glimpses of King Jelal who in my opinion is the real hero of the story. A king who quotes Shakespeare, is aware he is a descendant of the prophet Mohammed but refuses to believe in a God as mankind is "shortsighted, self-centered and treacherous" and no God would create a species like that in his opinion. Although an Arab lord he is more British than anything else. Stiff upper lip and all.
Beledar is emerging into something more modern under King Jelal but not everyone likes that policy so under a prospering society currents of discontent are whirling.
In the end it is the conscience and courage of both Abdullah and Khalid that are tested. And unlike in his youth when revenge was brought upon someone here one of them says in the end: "Retribution for an injury is equal injury. However who forgives an injury and make reconciliation will be rewarded by God" and the other man feels the eyes of the king burning into his soul again.
I have the feeling the writer wants to continue the story in another book. Maybe that is one of the reasons some things are not crystal clear in the end. The writer chooses to show us a glimpse into the future of Beledar and our hero. I would have advised against that or to continue writing the whole story.
Nevertheless a brilliant book that had my Muslim colleague and I discussing it. I certainly can recommend buying it. I myself was given the opportunity of an advanced copy for the Netgalley-site.
http://dutchysbookreviews.blogspot.nl...
The story is about two young boys: Abdullah and Khalid who are just in their teens when the story starts and when young emir Jalal (who will become King later on) takes over the reign from his father. Still children both boys have to kill someone.
Abdullah is a street rat from the city who is given the chance to go and work for king Jalal. Khalid a younger son of a more or less well-to-do merchant from a desert oasis who runs away to the army with his brother and rises through the ranks.
We follow both boys growing up into men and in between we see short glimpses of King Jelal who in my opinion is the real hero of the story. A king who quotes Shakespeare, is aware he is a descendant of the prophet Mohammed but refuses to believe in a God as mankind is "shortsighted, self-centered and treacherous" and no God would create a species like that in his opinion. Although an Arab lord he is more British than anything else. Stiff upper lip and all.
Beledar is emerging into something more modern under King Jelal but not everyone likes that policy so under a prospering society currents of discontent are whirling.
In the end it is the conscience and courage of both Abdullah and Khalid that are tested. And unlike in his youth when revenge was brought upon someone here one of them says in the end: "Retribution for an injury is equal injury. However who forgives an injury and make reconciliation will be rewarded by God" and the other man feels the eyes of the king burning into his soul again.
I have the feeling the writer wants to continue the story in another book. Maybe that is one of the reasons some things are not crystal clear in the end. The writer chooses to show us a glimpse into the future of Beledar and our hero. I would have advised against that or to continue writing the whole story.
Nevertheless a brilliant book that had my Muslim colleague and I discussing it. I certainly can recommend buying it. I myself was given the opportunity of an advanced copy for the Netgalley-site.
http://dutchysbookreviews.blogspot.nl...
March 15, 2017
This book follows two boys, Khalid and Abdullah, as they grow up in a fictional Middle Eastern country around the time of the Second World War. It’s quite an achievement how Wokke creates the atmosphere – I really felt like I was in the Middle East. The omnipresence of God, the almost impossible to avoid corruption and the ruthlessness of the society of Beledar was excellently shown.
The boys are interesting too. They come from different backgrounds, but they are also very alike. Their different perspective on Islam leads them to make different choices in life, which eventually makes them meet as enemies. The king is very strong character too. Although we often see him from far away, it’s clear how he’s suffering from the choices he needs to make to lead the country.
I’ve got one small point of criticism: I would have liked to see Khalid appear a little earlier in the story. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him in the sequel.
The boys are interesting too. They come from different backgrounds, but they are also very alike. Their different perspective on Islam leads them to make different choices in life, which eventually makes them meet as enemies. The king is very strong character too. Although we often see him from far away, it’s clear how he’s suffering from the choices he needs to make to lead the country.
I’ve got one small point of criticism: I would have liked to see Khalid appear a little earlier in the story. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him in the sequel.
February 9, 2017
The book gives an insight in the politics and ideas of the middle east of 1940 - 1950. It is an easy read.
This book covers the youth of a dictator, I am curious to read the next parts.
This book covers the youth of a dictator, I am curious to read the next parts.
October 16, 2019
This is a wonderful story that pulls together ideals, politics and culture to create a story that is set in the Middle East. It charts the stories of Abdullah and Khalid two boys from different parts of the region who grow up to have very different roles and also of a man who is to become King.
This was such an interesting read and one that I found quite addictive. It has quite a lot going on and so I took a little more time with it. It covers many different aspects of life in the Middle East and uses politics and religion quite a lot to add intrigue and suspense to the story.
The lives of the two boys are really interesting as well. One is a a boy who is struggling to make enough money so that his family can eat. The other decides to follow his brother and leave school. While the man who becomes King has ideas to help the people of his country.
I loved the way the author made me feel completely immersed within this story and while I do not have a great knowledge of the Middle East I did understand all the things that were going on. Life in the royal palace was like a game, a very dangerous game. Distrust, spies, backstabbing and conspiracy were very evident. I liked this notion of not really knowing who could be trusted.
The cultural aspects were interesting and I liked the author showed the differences from where the boys started to where they ended up. Also the differences in how men and women where expected to behave and how some where trying to bring changes to a male dominant society.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Abdullah and Khalid. I liked how I was able to follow their own journeys and how they changed and reacted to various situations as the story gradually unfolded. Jalal also has a few chapters and seeing how he coped with power was really interesting.
The story delves into other aspects of human nature such as trust, loyalty, truth, expectation and a matter of faith. These become tested in various ways through the story and it is interesting to see how the characters deal with the challenges they face.
This is a book that I read over three days and was one of those books that I found I better grasped with the extra time. There are various plots and conspiracies going on through the story that I needed time to digest so I didn’t get myself confused. The author has a background in politics and also Middle Eastern History and I think this has definitely helped with the story-lines.
By the end of the book I found that many things had been answered and felt complete but, there were also some new questions that I had and I hope that there will be another book to follow on from this one. The ending of this one has an ending that just begs for another book and the story to continue.
This is a book that I think readers of historical fiction would enjoy and it is one I would recommend.
This was such an interesting read and one that I found quite addictive. It has quite a lot going on and so I took a little more time with it. It covers many different aspects of life in the Middle East and uses politics and religion quite a lot to add intrigue and suspense to the story.
The lives of the two boys are really interesting as well. One is a a boy who is struggling to make enough money so that his family can eat. The other decides to follow his brother and leave school. While the man who becomes King has ideas to help the people of his country.
I loved the way the author made me feel completely immersed within this story and while I do not have a great knowledge of the Middle East I did understand all the things that were going on. Life in the royal palace was like a game, a very dangerous game. Distrust, spies, backstabbing and conspiracy were very evident. I liked this notion of not really knowing who could be trusted.
The cultural aspects were interesting and I liked the author showed the differences from where the boys started to where they ended up. Also the differences in how men and women where expected to behave and how some where trying to bring changes to a male dominant society.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Abdullah and Khalid. I liked how I was able to follow their own journeys and how they changed and reacted to various situations as the story gradually unfolded. Jalal also has a few chapters and seeing how he coped with power was really interesting.
The story delves into other aspects of human nature such as trust, loyalty, truth, expectation and a matter of faith. These become tested in various ways through the story and it is interesting to see how the characters deal with the challenges they face.
This is a book that I read over three days and was one of those books that I found I better grasped with the extra time. There are various plots and conspiracies going on through the story that I needed time to digest so I didn’t get myself confused. The author has a background in politics and also Middle Eastern History and I think this has definitely helped with the story-lines.
By the end of the book I found that many things had been answered and felt complete but, there were also some new questions that I had and I hope that there will be another book to follow on from this one. The ending of this one has an ending that just begs for another book and the story to continue.
This is a book that I think readers of historical fiction would enjoy and it is one I would recommend.
July 5, 2017
A novel about Middle Eastern history from the 1930s to 50s, set in a fictional country. The point of view shifts between Jalal, Oxford-educated prince and later king of this country, married to a French feminist; Abdullah, a street urchin of the capital city who grows to become a palace clerk through a fortunate scholarship; and Khalid, a boy from a small town who becomes a fast-rising leader in the army. The book describes the political clashes as the country grows and attempts to modernize, such as between more conservative and more progressive factions of Islam or between the powerful old families of the country who want to keep their influence and Jalal's attempts to move towards democracy and egalitarianism. This was all fairly well done – enough so that I wondered why Wokke even set the book in a fictional country. If you've got a fictional setting, go ahead and do something interesting with it! But if you're going to stick so close to history, why not go ahead and set it in an actual country, and the reader can learn a few names and dates as they read? I never did figure this choice out, though I suspect the planned sequel might develop more in an interesting direction.
But I won't be reading that sequel, mainly because of the writing style. Revolution is written in extremely simple English, enough so that I spent a significant portion of it assuming that it was a middle-grade novel, not even up to including the complex sentences of YA. Though if nothing else, the extremely graphic scaphism scene definitely suggested it was not meant for children (by the way, if you don't know that word, don't google it! I'm trying to spare you nightmares. It's a form of torture). In the afterword the author says he learned English while writing this book, so I assume that explains the style.
On a minor note, there is a lot of anti-semitism in the dialogue. Which I suppose is realistic enough for the characters, particularly since the majority of it comes from Khalid's drill sergeant, but it did get uncomfortable to read after a while.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
But I won't be reading that sequel, mainly because of the writing style. Revolution is written in extremely simple English, enough so that I spent a significant portion of it assuming that it was a middle-grade novel, not even up to including the complex sentences of YA. Though if nothing else, the extremely graphic scaphism scene definitely suggested it was not meant for children (by the way, if you don't know that word, don't google it! I'm trying to spare you nightmares. It's a form of torture). In the afterword the author says he learned English while writing this book, so I assume that explains the style.
On a minor note, there is a lot of anti-semitism in the dialogue. Which I suppose is realistic enough for the characters, particularly since the majority of it comes from Khalid's drill sergeant, but it did get uncomfortable to read after a while.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
January 10, 2020
This is a very interesting book and very apt for the present time in history when the Middle East is such a place of unrest. A young, well-educated king who is married to a French woman is the new king. He wants to bring his country into the modern age and help the average person as opposed to supporting the almost feudal system of lords in charge of districts and bleeding the average person of any money. Sadly this all takes time and while his first steps are still in initial stages there are plots to unseat him and his infidel queen. Stories abound as to what is going on in the palace which are patently untrue nd yet are believed by those outside. Even some working in the palace are eventually convinced that the king is not a proper Muslim and so things go badly wrong. So all his hopes and wishes fo a better society are sadly quashed and things go back to fighting and infighting and so the average people once again suffer.
This is the story of so many third world and Middle Eastern countries. The country in this is made up but you could almost put any name in there and it wouldn't be far wrong historially!!
This is the story of so many third world and Middle Eastern countries. The country in this is made up but you could almost put any name in there and it wouldn't be far wrong historially!!
May 8, 2017
Revolution
by Piet Hein Wokke
XowoX Publishing
Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 01 May 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Revolution through XowoX Publishing and Netgalley:
This book takes us to the Middle East during World War 2 where Abdullah is led away from the path of the prophet. Food shortages are making people desperate. Abdullah is only ten or eleven and trying to feed a younger brother too.
After the death of Mr. Darwish Abdullah finds his life has become more difficult. The money he made from shinning shoes was not much, but it helped as did the pieces of Pita bread and leftover Pastry at breakfast now he had none of that, and walked the streeets hungry.
On the other side of the desert Khalid learns the harsh laws of the desert show Khalid God's laws are easier preached than followed.
By 1948 Abdullah finds that his education is completed and he is being told he will be working for the King.
I give Revolution four out of five stars.
Happy Reading.
Read
February 8, 2022Thank you to NetGalley and XowoX Publishing for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
By the end of the first chapter, I knew this book wasn't for me. By the end of the third chapter, I had decided I was wasting my time. According to reviews, my abandonment of this title is an unpopular one. Other people, many people, loved this book. I dreaded picking it up and that was after only a few chapters. Perhaps I could have stuck it out and persevered but the older I get the more committed I become to the mantra, "So many books, so little time." That mantra gives me permission to abandon what isn't grabbing me and move on.
The little I did read was hard to read. It was stilted and lacked the action and emotion the words were trying to convey. If various reviews are to be believed, the author decided to write this title while learning English. It might have been more engaging had he written it in his native tongue and then found a really masterful translator.
By the end of the first chapter, I knew this book wasn't for me. By the end of the third chapter, I had decided I was wasting my time. According to reviews, my abandonment of this title is an unpopular one. Other people, many people, loved this book. I dreaded picking it up and that was after only a few chapters. Perhaps I could have stuck it out and persevered but the older I get the more committed I become to the mantra, "So many books, so little time." That mantra gives me permission to abandon what isn't grabbing me and move on.
The little I did read was hard to read. It was stilted and lacked the action and emotion the words were trying to convey. If various reviews are to be believed, the author decided to write this title while learning English. It might have been more engaging had he written it in his native tongue and then found a really masterful translator.
May 4, 2017
Well written and very amazing story! After reading this story, I started to summarize a video review I want to do. This storyline was well researched and told in a very good manner. I loved reading behind the history of the 1940's - 1950's and the middle east.
The story starts with two young main characters named Abdullah and Khalid who have to kill someone. Also, young Jalal who becomes king when his father dies. This story follows the two boys into adulthood and seeing Jalal grow up as well, but from far away. The constant upbringing of the beliefs the people have on the reality of God and the extremes taken to hopelessly avoid corruption. The boys come from different lifestyles and later on tested which makes them connect as enemies. We see how the king suffers and dictates the decisions he has to make to run his country in his right direction.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCADH...
In the end, I was left with a lot of questions and seeking answers, but I know that there will be a sequel and I can't wait. I wanna know more about the characters and how there decisions will turn out for them in the end of decisions sufferings.
The story starts with two young main characters named Abdullah and Khalid who have to kill someone. Also, young Jalal who becomes king when his father dies. This story follows the two boys into adulthood and seeing Jalal grow up as well, but from far away. The constant upbringing of the beliefs the people have on the reality of God and the extremes taken to hopelessly avoid corruption. The boys come from different lifestyles and later on tested which makes them connect as enemies. We see how the king suffers and dictates the decisions he has to make to run his country in his right direction.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCADH...
In the end, I was left with a lot of questions and seeking answers, but I know that there will be a sequel and I can't wait. I wanna know more about the characters and how there decisions will turn out for them in the end of decisions sufferings.
May 13, 2017
Revolution is exciting, actual and original historical fiction.
With verve and admirable scope Piet Hein Wokke describes the originate of a revolution in the fictional kingdom Beledar in the Middle East. The book is written so rich in imaginary that it easily could be a script for a film. Also because of his writing style the reader can share in the experiences of the boys who are growing up in an unsafe world. With genial flexibility he adapts his style according to the seniority of his characters. Because of this the story is getting more and more speed and tension before the different themes and lives are coming beautifully together. This confrontation with the boys who has become adults carrying the traumas of their youth shows a very good psychological knowledge. The story has great depths for the reader who explores and is seeing the similarities with actual events in the here and now live. The end has the promise of a sequel , and I certainly hope that Piet Hein Wokke finds the possibility to write and publish another excellent novel.
Lisanne Gillieron
With verve and admirable scope Piet Hein Wokke describes the originate of a revolution in the fictional kingdom Beledar in the Middle East. The book is written so rich in imaginary that it easily could be a script for a film. Also because of his writing style the reader can share in the experiences of the boys who are growing up in an unsafe world. With genial flexibility he adapts his style according to the seniority of his characters. Because of this the story is getting more and more speed and tension before the different themes and lives are coming beautifully together. This confrontation with the boys who has become adults carrying the traumas of their youth shows a very good psychological knowledge. The story has great depths for the reader who explores and is seeing the similarities with actual events in the here and now live. The end has the promise of a sequel , and I certainly hope that Piet Hein Wokke finds the possibility to write and publish another excellent novel.
Lisanne Gillieron
Shelved as 'read-some'
July 19, 2017Not a fan of the writing style. I stopped reading on my kindle at 23%.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews