Pnina Moed Kass

The story of a terrorist bus bombing and its aftermath, told in real time from the point of views of several characters. The story is not unfamiliar to those who have at least some idea of day to day life in Israel, but what stands out here is the narrative form, having each character tell of their personal history and experience throughout the event. No excuse is made for what happens, but at the same time not much blame is cast either, so each character's motivation (even the suspected bomber’s) is clear and surprisingly understandable. It takes a few pages to get to know the different characters, but after that, the story becomes very engaging. The only complaint I have is that the author - who lives in Israel - erroneously describes the Dome of the Rock as a mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is at the south end of the Temple Mount and has a silver dome, which most of the time looks black; the two buildings aren't easily mistaken. I know it's a small detail, but it's one that irritates me more since it makes me feel the writer has been research-lazy.… (mer)

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

REAL TIME is set in contemporary Israel, telling a story in real time, in which the lives of so many people come together, minute by minute. The narration switches back and forth between several different characters, telling one story but also many stories.

These characters include Thomas, a German boy who has come to Israel looking for answers about his family. Baruch, a Holocaust survivor who now works on a kibbutz. Vera, another kibbutz worker who is finding her Jewish roots and escaping her tragic past in Odessa. Sameh, a Palestinian working illegally at a diner. Saheh's friend Omar, a reporter, and many, many others. All of these people are different, looking for different things, but there is a moment when all of their lives come together, and it is a tragedy.

So much sadness, so much despair, is evident. Can there be healing and hope for those who survive this tragedy? Only time will tell.

This novel is a breathtaking story, but it's more than that. For one thing, it's a behind-the-scenes look at what is usually seen only on television. And yet it's more than behind-the-scenes; it's the secrets, thoughts, hopes, and dreams of every person involved. The way this story is told, in (as the title suggests) real time, switching back and forth between several narrators, is a part of what makes it amazing. If just one character told the story, so many aspects of it would not be seen. Pnina Kass Moed is a brilliant writer, and the story she tells in REAL TIME is equally brilliant.… (mer)