OTHER SANDALS

by Sally Watson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 16, 1966

The sandal fits. That's what Devra and Eytan eventually discovered after their parents decided that they should exchange families and put themselves in each other's sandals. They were both Israeli, but Devra had grown up completely within the environs of a kibbutz, and Eytan lived with his cosmopolitan parents in Haifa. The switch does more than broaden their travel experience however. Eytan had become withdrawn, introverted, and self-pampering when an accident had crippled his leg. After an initial period of bitter dispute with the others in his unit he finally comes to put the defect in proper perspective and to adjust to working and to being friendly with the group. Devra, on the other hand, learns to curb her excessive exuberance, to consider the feelings of others, to meet new people and ideas outside of the enclosed environment she had grown up in, and, more specifically, to overcome her generalized hatred of Arabs. The personality growth in the two children is developed quite naturally and is consistent with their changed situations. The continually shifting scene tends to over-extend the story but it gives a very complete and enthusiastic portrayal of modern Israel, and one which attempts to satisfy criticisms of the country. The children in this story are all the offspring of the characters who were in To Build A Land (1957), and by nature of the times their story is necessarily much less traumatic and less engrossing. This is, however, a thoughtful view of the country and of two very real children.

Pub Date: May 16, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1966

Categories: FICTION