Stayed On Freedom

An unusual book. Typically when a book begins with alternate-chapter perspectives it's because the subjects will converge. And they do, but really only briefly. Despite Berger's efforts to inject love-story elements, the connection between Zoharah and Michael never feels more than a glancing one. A powerful one for sure, which ended up changing both their lives, but not central to the story.

And that's totally fine, because the love that I picked up on was purely for the Work. For recognizing injustices big and small and struggling to correct them over the course of two long and rich lives. More than two, actually: not all characters get equal billing or book time, but wow, what a cast.

The book was both inspiring and discouraging, frequently on the same page. Berger deals frankly with the problems of real-world human beings, no matter how best-intentioned, working together without conflict. Two people, three, national organizations, our individual motivations make it so damn hard to cooperate! Yet we do—some more than others—and I feel humbled at seeing the strength and perseverance modeled here.

Editing could've been better: ambiguous antecedents galore, and a few disjointed sections. Even so, my heartfelt recommendation.