Sélim Nassib (I Loved You for Your Voice, 2006)) once again uses historical events to frame a love story. In the Palestine of the 1920s, a few hardy Jews, trying to bring their Zionist dreams to life, are toiling on their kibbutz. Meanwhile, Palestinian banker Albert Pharaon is bored with his upper-class existence in Beirut and decides to move to his mansion in Haifa. While attending a British reception for the king’s birthday, he meets a beautiful Jewish woman working for the Zionist cause, Golda Meyerson (who later shortened her name to Meir). Despite their differences, the two begin a passionate affair against the background of the political turmoil that preceded the establishment of the state of Israel. The author’s lyrical prose and leisurely pace offer a stark contrast to the violent events from which the lovers seek temporary refuge. Some may find that the idea of Golda Meir taking an Arab lover strains credibility, but Nassib makes his premise work. This is a beautiful love story that will appeal both to historical-fiction readers and to those who follow events in the Middle East. —Barbara Bibel