Rating: 
Summary: "A crescent moon?exquisite in its incompleteness"
Review: Abu-Jaber's latest novel, Crescent, is a lyrical tale of love, family and tradition, peopled with characters of Arabian descent, who live in an enclave in the heart of Los Angeles, California. Whether Iranian, Lebanese, Iraqi or Jordanian, all have in common the longing to return to the homelands of their youth, impossible given the socio-economic and political changes of the last decades. The author speaks particularly to the Iraqi exiles, in a poignant portrayal of their memories, folktales and family connections. She does so in poetic phrases that remind this reader of the prolific Alice Hoffman, as page after page is filled with such deeply moving images, sounds and smells that Crescent redefines cultural stereotypes, allowing each individual his/her own identity. The most important ingredient in this tasty concoction is the Arab-American Sirine, a master cook of ethnic delicacies at Nadia's Café, a Lebanese establishment, where students and other patrons gather to enjoy familiar dishes and discussions of their native countries. While current events swirl around her, Sirine blithely attends to the meals she lovingly prepares, stirring long-buried memories of her childhood longing for absentee parents, who travel to distant lands in an effort at humanitarian aid. When, finally, her parents fail to return home, Sirine quietly closes her heart against further loss. When an exiled Iraqi professor of literature catches Sirine's eye, she is unable to resist, suddenly vulnerable to the characteristic emotions of incipient romance, the excitement and passion of the moment. The charismatic Hanif Al Eyad introduces reality into the developing love affair; Han has a past as an exile from Iraq in his early twenties, a past that Sirine must acknowledge if they are to progress toward the necessary intimacy of a meaningful relationship. The tender love scenes have subtle touches of eroticism, a heady mix of that wonderful confusion of the first days of love. But Sirine resists asking about Han`s life before her, only begrudgingly admitting the importance of his past on their future. An Arab-American, Sirine struggles with Han's attachment to the history that defines him, the siren-song of exile that was once irresistible, but has now cut him off from the beating heart of his country. With innate instinct, Sirine treads carefully in this vulnerable place, exquisitely aware of the delicate balance of the relationship. Once Sirine opens her heart to Han's story, the weight of the novel moves from the euphoria of beginning love to the revelation of faults and flaws, the human frailties that allow forgiveness. Her innocence shattered, Sirine learns the import of emotional commitment, the balance between pleasure and pain; through this experience, she becomes a more fully-defined woman. Many reviews hail Crescent as an erotic, sensual love story, but Abu-Jaber has written more than a simple romance, drawing the reader beneath the surface of the Arab community. With myriad complexities and allegiances, the idiosyncratic characters bring their experience, memories and family stories to Nadia's Café. With passionate longing, they examine life in exile from beloved countries of origin, a universality of experience: "When we walk away from home, we fall in love with our sadness". Abu-Jaber's prose is transcendent, as rich as the pastries Sirine serves to her customers; with bits of spice and sugar, the phrases meld together, fable and truth creating memory. We struggle to understand cultural and ideological differences in a world made smaller by communications, yet obscured by the barriers of language and tradition. Abu-Jaber welcomes us inside spice-scented, fragrant rooms where families gather for comfort, much the same as early American immigrants from Ireland and Italy, sharing familial traditions and hopes for the future. Crescent offers a rich, exuberant experience, one that leaves this reader as satisfied as an exotic meal topped off with a serving of vanilla ice cream, the perfect combination of the unexpected and the familiar. In a blend of cultural diversity and the banality of daily life in America, this author invites us to the bountiful buffet of humanity, a feast of the best we have to offer. Luan Gaines/ 2004.
Rating: 
Summary: Crescent
Review: Abu-Jaber's novel Crescent is a fantastic book which blends fact and fantasy to create a new reality. Throughout the novel, the fairy tale of Abdelrahman Salahadin is told, which engrosses the reader in a magical world of the Middle East. However, after the tales of Abdelrahman and the mermaids, and his other adventures, the novel then proceeds to continue with the story of Sirine, an Iraqi-American. The reader is transported back to America, to Nadia's Café, the university, and daily life. While not as fantastic, Sirine's life is just as filled with drama and suspense as the fairy tales her uncle tells her.
Part of Sirine's drama takes the form of a love affair with Han, an Iraqi man who teaches poetry. The relationship is intense and matures quickly, and the reader is able to feel the emotions and sensuality that they feel for each other. But it is not just a love story, the novel encompasses more intense themes as well.
As an Arab-American, Sirine also has to deal with finding herself and her identity. Would she belong better in the Middle East where flavors, scents, pictures, and stories seem to be pulling her? Or is she too American, as Han tells her? Part of this identity struggle comes from her wish to more fully understand Han. Because he is Iraqi, she feels as though they are too different. She even states that because she is American, she doesn't have as much of a claim on him as Iraqi or Middle Eastern girls.
Part of her conflict comes from the distorted view she has of her father's homeland. Because she has never been there, she only has two sources to turn to for information. She can look to her friends and family, the memories of her parents, and the stories of her uncle, or she can look from an ignorant, though unfortunately popular American viewpoint, which sees the land as full of terrorists and fear. Throughout the novel, we see her trying to balance these opposing views and come to her own conclusions about the land she longs to visit.
The ending of the novel again has this conflict with respect to reality. Just as Sirine is unsure, so is the reader as to Han's reason for leaving and his death. The reader feels the same intense heartbreak as Sirine over Han, and feels the same betrayal. However, upon his return, the reader also feels the same joy and relief. But these emotions cloud a much more serious event, which might be the only flaw in the book. Han's capture and time spent in Iraq was glossed over. The torture and brutality he suffered, which can only be as horrific as Abdelrahman's stories are fantastic, is completely ignored. Rage and horror, which would be valid emotions, are conspicuously absent from the pages. Once again, the reader is left ignorant of what has happened. Like the man in the café told Sirine, "What do you care, you're American." The novel seems to me to end in that way, telling the reader to simply ignore the details, and be thankful for Han's return.
Crescent gives the reader a small taste of a world outside that of the average American's, but it does not give the whole picture. The text is an excellent beginning to a deep and moving story. However, the story is not complete, and leaves the reader with a shallow feeling at the end- happy for their own personal gain, and relatively ignorant of the outside world.
Rating:
Summary: Scrumptious Feast of Storytelling, Wisdom, Poetry, and Love
Review: Are you a foodie? Ever been in love? Enjoy a good yarn? Intrigued by exotic cultures? Do you fancy good poetry? Want to be moved? READ CRESCENT. You will be smitten and spiced and wooed and enraptured by the spell of a masterful storyteller and literary artist.
After finishing this book, I wanted to shout from the rooftops-"Everyone--stop what you are doing--read Crescent! Your life will be enriched for the experience." Abu-Jaber cooks with amazingly lyrical and unselfconscious metaphors. Without cliché, she stirs you into her characters' lives, serves up the smell of cardamom-spiced coffee, lentils and onions, tabouli-and dips you in the complexities of lust and love and adventure and hope.
Meanwhile, the layers of her story are like the complex layers of a great dish. Beyond the protagonist, Sirine's story, there is her love's story, and there are the stories of those around them both. At the same time, Sirine's beloved uncle and father-surrogate spins an Arabian-nights-style epic of mermaids and sirens and jinns and the Mother of All Fish, and oh yeah, Omar Sharif. The uncle's story slides in and out of the current story, and they each cast light on the other. Oh, it's all too complicated and juicy and fun to do justice by explaining it. Sounds chaotic, but in fact, Crescent makes brilliant, colorful good sense.
After this glorious feast of a book, you will be satisfied and happy. And enlightened a little about Middle-Eastern culture. It made me want to cook! And to love more completely. Thank you, Diana Abu-Jaber, for creating this work of love and for serving it up for our enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: Crescent
Review: Before I started reading Crescent I thought it would be another confusing story, but I was wrong. The last couple of books that we read in our English class had me quite baffled, and it was hard for me to analyze things and discuss them. I didn't feel connected with any of them. Then I began to read this book and it was amazing. This was the first actual `love' story I have ever read. My first choice in a book is mostly mystery and suspense that usually ends up having a sort of love theme behind it some time along the way, but here you have a love story that has the mystery and suspense added to it. This book just made me want to keep going and going.
Another thing that pulled me into this story was the culture and cooking. I had quite a few Arabic friends growing up and I never really understood or knew much about their background. This story brings you in little by little with their traditions and ways of doing things. Abu-Jaber knows how to add in facts without over doing it. For example the character Han is knowledgeable and we catch him a couple times teaching his students or friends a little something new and it is easy for the reader to absorb because it is interwoven into the story's setting. The cooking had a big affect on me also. The vocabulary the author uses is so vivid you are actually standing in the kitchen while the meal is being made. The way she describes each spice and the way it is mixed in with the meat made me hungry I wanted to go try and make the meals. It was hard at first to keep up with all the different foods, but I got used to them along the way.
This novel was one of the most beautifully written stories I have read in a long time. There are just enough characters to keep you interested, but not to many so you forget who they all are. Each of them add a little something to the story, whether it is mystery, laughter, suspense, or love, which makes you want to keep going to find out more about them. I liked this story because the first quarter of the book was about meeting the characters and getting drawn into the story. The second quarter started to get a bit questionable, I had all types of thoughts running through my head about certain characters. Then the third quarter got very enthralling, things started to unfold that you couldn't wait another page longer to find out what happened next. Finally the last section comes and it is every emotion you experience through the whole book together as one.
I recommend this book to anyone who has the time to sit and enjoy a good story or that wants to broaden their horizons a little bit. It has history, culture, laughter, and love what else could you ask for. The writing is just fascinating to read, it really does bring you into the story. It relaxes you when you read about her cooking. It made me feel like I was comforted by the movements of the kitchen just as the author describes. The writing is that clear you have to read the book to understand where I am coming from.
Rating:
Summary: Crescent
Review: Crescent is a great dish for anyone who wants to try the flavor of the Arab cuisine. It is a good starter for those who had not tried it yet. It has rich, both sweet and sour taste, a little spicy, but the amount of spice does not make you thirsty. It is stuffed with a love plot, covered with drama, and sprinkled with bits of everyday life struggle. A reader can feel its fresh and fine ingredients, and is able to notice right away that they were matched together so that their taste does not collide with each other. However, sometimes you cannot retrieve the full taste of the ingredients, and Crescent asks for more detailed preparation before it was served. There are also times when you wish the other ingredients were used, based on the experience you had having tried dishes of other cuisines. The dish that chef Diana Abu-Jaber served is not the one from upper, upscale downtown restaurant, but not in the demeaning sense. It carries the best what small, cozy restaurants that are hidden against the eyes of masses and provide intimate atmosphere to its guests offer. It looks like it might have as well been prepared by Sirine, the main character of the story, who worked in one of such restaurants in the Iranian neighborhood of Los Angeles. She makes the essence of the story, and gives it rich, and delicate taste. A reader is brought to a table a relatively unknown, somehow exotic and extremely interesting array of other characters on a plate. There is Han, the Arab literature professor who fled Iraq and found his temporary refuge in L.A., and his personal asylum in the arms of Sirine. He is the most complex, multilayered like onion and difficult-to-comprehend personality, carrying a bundle of experience he had brought from Iraq. Sirine is the one who peels off the layers he is covered with, revealing his struggle with himself and helplessness of inability to come back to his home country. By getting more to know him, she finds the real flavor of her life, an important ingredient that she had missed. Um-Nadia, the owner of the restaurant, is another extraordinary person to be found on the plate. She is a mother, advisor, mentor, and guide to whoever is in trouble or seeks help with their problems. Aziz, the self-acclaimed poet, might be the last to choose from. He is a heart-conqueror of all the women that he finds on his path. However, the motivation for his actions is to get satisfaction of his selfish needs. Sirine is not the only one who did not resist his smooth talk, and assurances about his true intentions. A lot of question marks stand behind Nathan, the student and passionate photographer. He is veiled with a mist of mystery and secrecy, and, actually, no one can really figure out of what he is made of. Rana, Han's student, brings spice to the story. She stirs up the relationship between Sirine and Han. She makes Sirine boil inside, as she perceives her as her rival to win his heart. In contrary, Sirine's uncle gives her a peace of mind. He treats her more than his daughter. He knows her inside out, senses when she is overwhelmed with problems, gives her advice, usually by telling the story of Abdelrahman Salahadin, a reckless adventurer, and provides her with his support. There are plenty of other characters in the menu, which make it diverse and assorted. On one hand, the story is easy digestible. On the other, it does not leave a reader with a sense of completeness. As it can leave a reader still hungry, it can also make you thirsty at the same time. Not because of the spices it contains, but for the simple fact it makes you beg for the completion or its sequel. The story that unwinds with every page you read and sucks you in with its content is being cut without any clues as to what might have happened to main characters. The dish that made your mouth water is suddenly taken from you, without any explanation. You are not given either desert or anything to drink. The ending is not satisfactory, and definitely asks for another serving to experience the full taste of the dish. If the chef Abu-Jaber did an effort to reveal more of the crescent, and uncover some of its missing parts, the story would shine like a full moon.
Rating:
Summary: English 230
Review: Diana Abu-Jaber's novel "Crescent" is a marvelous book in all senses of the word. I truly think that there are no words that can express what this novel has to offer a reader. Abu- Jaber takes you on a journey of romance, tradition, culture, anger, sadness, betrayal, and happiness all through her book. Abu- Jaber combines the never- ending story telling of Arabian Knights told by Sirine's uncle with the three main aspects of the novel. She introduces the magical yet so real bond of love with the characters, the symbolic meaning of food, and the Arab culture. Being a half American, half Iraqi orphan, Sirine, the main character is found in a world that is full of new and mysterious meanings. The loss of her parents at a very young age has made her an incomplete woman even at 39 years of age. Sirine portrays her desire and devotion to the Iraqi culture through her cooking and the café she works in. Food plays a major role in Sirine's life. Not only does Abu-Jaber make you feel as if you smell the food and spices of her cooking, she forms the symbolic role of food in Sirine's life. Wanting to learn about the Iraqi culture even more, Sirine feels that through cooking these Arab foods, she has become part of her father's culture. By doing so, Sirine not only fills the empty gap in her life, but helps fill the gap for the Immigrant students who have left their homelands and families to come to America. Her cooking and Um Nadia's café reminds the students of their Arab cultures, which makes them feel close to "home." Another significant aspect of food is the type of bond that it forms between people. Where ever we are in the world, food always seems to bring people together. So Abu-Jaber does a beautiful job in showing the reality of this in her novel. The same way she shows or brings life to the love between the characters, especially Sirine and Hanif. I can go on and go about the type of love Abu-Jaber forms between the two. Being an Iraqi professor, Sirine falls in love with Hanif who portrays a mysterious past but devotion to her. Abu-Jaber uses beautiful words that seem to come to life as you read. For example, when she throws in Arab words such as "habebtii" or "rohi" when Hanif and Sirine are addressing their love to one another, it brings more meaning than saying "my love" or "my soul." The significance of the Arab translation makes it more meaningful, deep and represents the Arab culture. Let's just say, the erotic passion between Sirine and Hanif will literally give you a sense of butterflies in your stomach. What I loved most of all was the way Abu-Jaber makes their love seem so real unlike the perfect fantasy love. Jealousy, fighting, and betrayal (not so nice but has meaning) are a few aspects that allow the reader to relate this type of love to reality. I also love the way she will keep you guessing in what is to happen next in the novel. "Turning the tables" best describes the way Abu-Jaber will keep you reading on and on. I would strongly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read the greatest novel of all time. "Crescent" introduces readers to a sensual world packed with exotic foods and spices, traditional Arab poetry and storytelling, and an interesting pack of vivid characters.
Rating:
Summary: English 230
Review: Diana Abu-Jaber's novel "Crescent" is a marvelous book in all senses of the word. I truly think that there are no words that can express what this novel has to offer a reader. Abu- Jaber takes you on a journey of romance, tradition, culture, anger, sadness, betrayal, and happiness all through her book. Abu- Jaber combines the never- ending story telling of Arabian Knights told by Sirine's uncle with the three main aspects of the novel. She introduces the magical yet so real bond of love with the characters, the symbolic meaning of food, and the Arab culture. Being a half American, half Iraqi orphan, Sirine, the main character is found in a world that is full of new and mysterious meanings. The loss of her parents at a very young age has made her an incomplete woman even at 39 years of age. Sirine portrays her desire and devotion to the Iraqi culture through her cooking and the café she works in. Food plays a major role in Sirine's life. Not only does Abu-Jaber make you feel as if you smell the food and spices of her cooking, she forms the symbolic role of food in Sirine's life. Wanting to learn about the Iraqi culture even more, Sirine feels that through cooking these Arab foods, she has become part of her father's culture. By doing so, Sirine not only fills the empty gap in her life, but helps fill the gap for the Immigrant students who have left their homelands and families to come to America. Her cooking and Um Nadia's café reminds the students of their Arab cultures, which makes them feel close to "home." Another significant aspect of food is the type of bond that it forms between people. Where ever we are in the world, food always seems to bring people together. So Abu-Jaber does a beautiful job in showing the reality of this in her novel. The same way she shows or brings life to the love between the characters, especially Sirine and Hanif. I can go on and go about the type of love Abu-Jaber forms between the two. Being an Iraqi professor, Sirine falls in love with Hanif who portrays a mysterious past but devotion to her. Abu-Jaber uses beautiful words that seem to come to life as you read. For example, when she throws in Arab words such as "habebtii" or "rohi" when Hanif and Sirine are addressing their love to one another, it brings more meaning than saying "my love" or "my soul." The significance of the Arab translation makes it more meaningful, deep and represents the Arab culture. Let's just say, the erotic passion between Sirine and Hanif will literally give you a sense of butterflies in your stomach. What I loved most of all was the way Abu-Jaber makes their love seem so real unlike the perfect fantasy love. Jealousy, fighting, and betrayal (not so nice but has meaning) are a few aspects that allow the reader to relate this type of love to reality. I also love the way she will keep you guessing in what is to happen next in the novel. "Turning the tables" best describes the way Abu-Jaber will keep you reading on and on. I would strongly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read the greatest novel of all time. "Crescent" introduces readers to a sensual world packed with exotic foods and spices, traditional Arab poetry and storytelling, and an interesting pack of vivid characters.
Rating:
Summary: Crescent
Review: Elecia Grandberry Crescent Review April 7, 2004 Crescent The book Crescent written by Diana Abu- Jaber is a great novel. While reading this book from beginning to end, I felt like I was an unknown character in the book watching the story unfold. Each character grabbed my attention by their uniqueness of personality and reason for existing in the book. Sirine a beautiful Chef in Nadia's Café captured the hearts of several men including her true love Hanif/ Han. Sirine reminded me of myself in a small sense. Sirine's attitude for working to satisfy others appetite daily was admirable. Slaving in the kitchen was a duty that paid off in time when she met the love of her life Hanif in Nadia's café. Han was a character that from the beginning I thought was a perfect man, a professor, handsome, single and gorgeous. Hanif showed his love for Sirine from the beginning of their meeting to the end of the book. I believe that the café was the main setting for current events, gossip and new relationships. In Nadia's café, I was introduced to several other important people who brought Crescent to life. Uncle (Sirine's uncle), Um-Nadia (owner of Nadia's café), Mireille (Nadia's daughter, waitress), Aziz (poet, professor, has a crush on Sirine), Nathan (student, photographer, admirer of Han) Rana (Muslim student of Aziz and Hanif), Cristobal (janitor at Nadia's café) and Victor Hernandez (bus boy, potential lover of Mireille.) All the people listed above, had their own experiences and purpose that made Crescent a page-turner. With the world events of war in Iraq, tension between Americans and Iraq's made it difficult for peace. The new voice of Sad am Hussein was becoming loud and clear. The story of Hanif/ Abdelrahman's struggle on his journey to America was touching. Leaving behind a family that he loved dearly to run for his life to an unfamiliar place displayed Han's determination to make it. When the paths of Sirine and Han crossed, it seemed like it was a fairy tale bound for a happy ending. I was extremely surprised as the climax of the story began to unfold. The mystery of the silk scarf that Han gave Sirine, the Late phone calls of Arab Language talked through Han's phone, the mysterious letter found in Han's dresser and the sleepless nights that Han suffered through, made me realize that it was more to this story. I believe that this novel was centered on LOVE not only the love between Han and Sirine, but also the love for homeland, food, friends, family and freedom. Many things occurred in this book, but the two significant things that I remember is the endings. The ending of Crescent really surprised me. The leaving of Han back to Iraq put a huge twist to the ending. I believe that the secret about Sirine and Aziz's fling is what played a huge part in Han leaving. The connection between the story of Abdelrahman Salahadin and the story of Hanif was genius. While reading, I assumed that the two stories were not connected. In the end, the outcome of the story brought everything into perspective. Crescent was my favorite book that I have read thus far. The mixture of love, politics, family and betrayal make up the perfect ingredients for a bestseller novel.
Rating:
Summary: Enticing and Refreshing
Review: I was intrigued by a newspaper review of Crescent while preoccupied with events happening in the Middle-East, and so I thought I'd try this book out for some insight. Crescent is very much akin to sitting down day after day in a local Middle-Eastern cafe and eavesdropping on a different culture and world. Through Sirine, a cook at Um Nadia's cafe in her late 30's, we smell, taste, and experience her daily life in Los Angeles. Sirine isn't all that in touch with her Iraqi heritage, but throughout the novel she develops a love interest with a university graduate student named Han who tells her all about modern day Iraq. Other characters in Sirine's life, especially her lovable Uncle who creates a fantastic fairy-tale straight out of Arabian Nights which mysteriously echo's Sirine's life, contribute to her burgeoning interest in her heritage. All the while, she cooks up wonderfully aromatic, delicious food that brings everyone together. There is a unique level of passionate discussion and debate about poetry, politics, and daily life among these people which creates an intimate atmosphere and sense of pride in their cultural heritage. One of Abu-Jaber's characters at one point mentions Mafouz, an Egyptian writer, and so I was encouraged to find a copy of his "Cairo Triology", which I plan on reading. Sirine's search for love and identity amidst the backdrop of modern day Los Angeles is at times difficult, sad and lonely, but often humerous and always passionate. Surely, while reading Crescent you will find yourself sipping hot coffee and dining at your favorite local Middle-Eastern cafe, and rooting for Sirine to find fulfillment in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Story
Review: Lisa Mack
English 230 Crescent, by Diana Abu-Jaber is a modern novel that depicts romance in a very fresh way. The story is centered on the main character, Sirine, an Arab-American cook that found love when she least expected it. This novel is equipped with very unique characters that intermingle together to form a great support system for Sirine in this very complicated time in her life.
I think I enjoyed this book for two reasons: the setting and the characters. Both of these elements gave the otherwise common love storyline a unique, and likable variation. I enjoyed the setting so much because it seemed to be a real place. I could feel myself sitting in the café, and being apart of the storyline myself. The café was the center of the whole novel. It was the place where Sirine felt most at home. It was the place she found her first true love. It was the place that women bonded to form a tenacious relationship. It also defined the Arab-American culture in a way that was very easy for an outsider to understand and feel apart of. The author made the setting a cozy, familiar place, and I felt I had been there many times before.
The characters in this novel are also very real and familiar. Sirine, a thirty nine year old woman, is very strong-willed and easy to love. The author has her falling in love in a non-traditional way, which makes the story intriguing, and very interesting to read. Falling in love later in life, with much more maturity and open-mindness gives this love story a unique vibe. Other characters consist of her uncle, her quirky, independent, female boss, and her love interest. Diana Abu-Jaber does a great job creating a personality for each of these characters that makes you feel as if you know them personally.
Another profound aspect of the novel is the ethnic and cultural component of the story. The setting, characters, and theme all have a cultural aspect to them. The main character struggles with an intercultural relationship. The rest of the characters all deal with their own cultural issues, and the setting deals with ethnic food, and an Arab-American community.
To conclude my review, I will again say that I enjoyed this novel immensely. The setting, and well-portrayed characters are the elements that pull this story together to make it a real page-turner. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a love story with a suspenseful, and modern twist.
|
