Where the Desert Meets the Sea: A Novel

Written by Werner Sonne

Narrated by Coleen Marlo

An illuminating and heart-stirring historical novel set in post-WWII Palestine, where the boundaries of love and friendship are challenged by the intractable conflicts of war.

Jerusalem, 1947: Judith, a young Jewish survivor of the Dachau concentration camp, arrives in Mandatory Palestine, seeking refuge with her only remaining relative, her uncle. When she learns that he has died, she tries to take her own life in despair.

After awakening in the hospital, Judith learns that Hana, a Muslim Arab nurse, has saved her life by donating her own blood. While the two women develop a fragile bond, each can’t help but be drawn deeper into the political machinations tearing the country apart. After witnessing the repeated attacks inflicted on the Jews, Judith makes the life-changing decision to join the Zionist fight for Jerusalem. And Hana’s star-crossed love for Dr. David Cohen, an American Jew out of his element and working only to save lives, will put her own life in danger.

Then the political situation worsens. When tensions erupt, a shocking act of violence threatens Judith and Hana’s friendship—and the destinies of everyone they love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Translator: Steve Anderson
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781721366019

Werner Sonne

Werner Sonne worked for German broadcaster ARD for more than forty years as a radio and TV correspondent, during which time he covered the German government while living in Bonn and Berlin. He was also based in Washington, DC, and the former Eastern Bloc in Poland, and he had assignments in Moscow. He started to travel the Middle East extensively in 1973 when he reported on the Yom Kippur War in Israel and kept returning to the troubled region’s front lines—including during the Afghanistan conflict. From 2004 to 2012, he hosted ARD’s Berlin-based Morgenmagazin show. Since then, he has written about foreign and security policy for daily newspapers and magazines and has penned nonfiction books on similar topics. He is also the author of several political thrillers and historical novels.

Reviews for Where the Desert Meets the Sea

[Mary Powell · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Disappointed. This was less than meh for me. There are too many characters with too many side stories, and not enough history. The synopsis leads the reader to expect a lot, and this just does not deliver, sadly. I feel like I stumbled through a rough draft.

The author's notes are interesting. Afterwards, I still feel like the mark was missed. I didn't sign up for a convoluted love story between cultural, historical, and religious people and families. As the author explained what she wanted, I found myself saying me too.

I don't know how this was brought to my attention. The audiobook is on Scribd and it is six long hours. In addition, there are no accents (German? Israeli? Palestine?).

I'm giving two stars. There was time and effort around historical events that are still happening today. My hope future readers will explore on their own (a map). There is a story to be told.

[judithrs · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Where the Devil Meets the Sea. Werner Sonne. 2008. The establishment of the state of Israel is told in this novel. It is basically a mini version of Leon Uris’ Exodus. However it doesn’t have the depth of that novel in any way. The historical background is basic and the characters are not developed

[beckyhaase · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE SEA by Werner SonneIn the aftermath of WWII the Jews who remain attempt to establish a homeland for themselves. Judith, a Jewish survivor of the death camps, and Hana, a Muslim nurse at Hadassah Hospital, are bonded in friendship when a rare blood type infusion from Hanna gives life to a dying Judith. The novel follows Hana and Judith as Eratz Israel becomes the Nation of Israel. Hadassah Hospital, founded by Jews but serving both Jews and Arabs, becomes a focal point. Peace is lost when the UN drops the British Mandate. Jews and Arabs battle over the land of Palestine resulting in bloodshed on both sides. The novel reveals the complexity of finding a solution. Sonne avoids siding with either faction as his well-drawn and complex characters struggle to find honor and security in this moving tale of love, fear, sacrifice, betrayal, redemption, death, honor and brutality lurches to its conclusion.5 of 5 stars