Mike's Place: A True Story of Love, Blues, and Terror in Tel Aviv

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 13, 2015

Review

This graphic novel tells the story of an independent filmmaker who goes to Israel to tell one story and ends up stumbling across another. Jack Baxter finds Mike's Place, a blue's bar where people gather to forget the troubled religious and political tension between Israel and Palestine. Set in 2003 just as governments were negotiating a Peace Plan, much to the consternation of Islamic militant groups. Two suicide bombers walked up to Mike's Place, in their eyes the symbol of a wanton, frivolous lifestyle, and effected disaster. The build up of the story is brilliantly rendered and the tension well-constructed. Black and white drawings are sharp and clear. A well-told story for graphic novel fans, and a fantastic tool for Modern Middle East courses.

Overall Book Score: very good