Book Review: The Henna House

In The Henna House, the world is split in two. Distinct lines between Jews and Muslims exist. Decrees such as “Imam’s Dung Carrier Decree relegated Jews to the jobs of refuse and carrion collectors. The Donkey Decree forbade the Jews of the North from riding horses… There was also the House Decree, which forbade us from building our houses as tall as the houses of our Muslim neighbors. And the Walker Decree, which forbade us from walking on the same side of the street as a Muslim.” (Eve, 9) With each of these decrees, the Muslims were adding on to their message to the Jews. “We are better than you; you are not worth us.” Their one piece of mercy was the Orphan Decree which adopted the fatherless Jewish children into the Muslim world. However, even this mercy, was not a mercy. These children, still with mothers, aunts, and uncles in the world, would be taken. Also, while the adoption could be for a new daughter or son, it could be a way for a free slave.
The time Adela was born was a stepping stone away from the Holocaust. As you read this book, you can see the politics changing as they flee home to home. Even in Aden, where the buildings are taller, the ports bigger, and the buildings are bright, the Jews are restricted. Jewish houses are marked with the Star of David.
As the time ticks closer and closer to the
The Holocaust was only the biggest one yet. I believe that the author was trying to point out the other anti-semitic motions during the 1940s building up to the Holocaust. It was way for her to say, “This wasn’t the first time.” I also believe she was trying to put an interest in the Holocaust again. After all, we must remember history or it shall repeat itself. Today, I think that we have already began to stop talking about the Holocaust. After all, when was the last serious discussion happened about it? 3rd grade? After all, “to forget the Holocaust is to kill twice.”