Julie Young Young itibaren Piccadilly Circus, Zambiya
This is a must read for anyone who wants to gain an understanding of the study of the Middle East and the root of much of the bias and racism we see toward the region, the culture, the religion and the people. Said basically exposes and calls out many of the Middle East 'scholars' who came before him, and who had shaped the 'Occidental' view of the 'Orient'. This book reshaped and modernized the entire study of the Middle East.
Much as I liked this book, it is as gut-wrenching as Jodi Picoult can get. This was the only book I've ever had difficulty finishing because I was crying so hard.
I usually love Sarah Dessen's books, but this one was definitely lacking. I never really got a feel for "the real" Mclean, which might have been intentional as she herself didn't know. But it made for a weird story, and a lot of this was really boring. I felt like it took me forever to read this book! (view spoiler) All in all, probably my least favorite Sarah Dessen novel ever.