The Parachute Paradox is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the Palestinian perspective. Through the lens of a Jerusalemite artist, Steve Sabella takes the reader on a journey of identity and a path to internal peace. This captivating memoir is infused with exceptional cinematographic energy, artistry, and uniqueness in conveying the scene. It offers narrative storytelling of the life of the Jerusalemite artist and his experiences under Israeli Occupation and proposes a subject that is unprecedented in Palestinian literature: "the liberation of the self and the homeland through the liberation of the imagination". Sabella's writing is thrilling, challenging, inspiring, and thoughtful. It embraces the reality of the Arab-Israeli conflict and gives the reader a taste of the spiritual and imaginative vision necessary to take us beyond the boxes that entrap us. The Parachute Paradox is an inspirational work of art that is sure to leave readers thought-provoked and compelled.
The book won the 2017 Eric Hoffer Award and the 2016 Nautilus Book Awards, both for best memoir.
The Parachute Paradox "Offers narrative storytelling of the life of the Jerusalemite artist and his experiences under Israeli Occupation. It proposes a subject that is unprecedented in Palestinian literature: the liberation of the self and the homeland through the liberation of the imagination."
Mohammed Al-Asaad Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, London
The number of books about Israel and Palestine published every year can feel oppressive to the average reader. On rare occasions, an original narrative of the conflict, imbued with honesty and sensitivity, is published.
Joseph Dana, The National, UAE
Perhaps the fact that the author is an accomplished artist and photographer explains the volume's elegant appearance. We later discover a young man whose freedom does not exist except as an expression of his art and as an endless love for the girl of his dreams.
Eric Hoffer Award winner announcement on The US Review of Books
The Parachute Paradox is perhaps the most impressive book I have ever read on the Palestinian-Jewish conflict. A good book to read and to go through gently, piece by piece.
Moors Magazine, The Netherlands
Thrilling, challenging, inspiring, thoughtful. The Parachute Paradox is part romance, part thriller, part political analysis. It is thoroughly redemptive and frustrating at the same time. It embraces the reality of a journey of identity and a path to internal peace. Any interested party in the Arab-Israeli conflict must read this firsthand account. In it, Steve tracks all the harmful pitfalls of stereotypes and gives the reader a taste of the kind of spiritual vision necessary to take us beyond the boxes that entrap us.
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, New York
A thought-provoking, compelling and beautifully crafted memoir. From the brilliant metaphor in the title to the last page, this book is an inspirational work of art.
Joanna Barakat, Palestinian artist
A must-read for the Palestinian perspective. Thankfully, this memoir is a journey that ends with an epiphany.
Rod Such, The Palestine Chronicle
