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Ouch! A memoir with a twist�
Growing up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, Chaker Khazaal’s mission was to escape displacement and find his rightful place in the world. This detailed glimpse into his life takes you on an exciting adventure from the Middle East to North America and beyond. All will be revealed in Chaker’s pursuit of success—a journey of internal psychological conflicts. Ouch!Denied entry to his homeland in February 2020, Chaker returns to Beirut and liaises remotely with a team of lawyers to contest Israel’s decision. Coincidentally, Covid-19 starts to force lockdowns around the world. Chaker quickly adapts to the restrictions and continues his involvement in a variety of global projects.Meanwhile, the world is struggling to comprehend the unprecedented occurrences taking place—from the Lebanese revolution to the Black Lives Matter protests—culminating in the Beirut Port blast on August 4, 2020. Although Chaker survives the fourth-largest explosion in the world, can he overcome his mental struggles?During the lockdown, Adam, a Palestinian waiter at the Smallville Hotel, develops a friendship with Chaker. Amid the chaos and tension, their inexplicable connection leads to an astonishing climax that no reader will ever foresee. In this psychological thriller, Chaker’s painful secret is finally revealed. Ouch!
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2020
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Chaker Khazaal
6Ìýbooks52ÌýfollowersChaker Khazaal, born in Lebanon in 1987, is a Palestinian-Canadian reporter, speaker, and author. EscapingÌýaÌýrefugee camp, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada. In 2009 he graduated from York University with a BA. Focusing on International Affairs, Khazaal became an advocate for refugees and young writers, giving those with no voice a say. An engaging communicator, he is a sought after speaker at global events.
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NamedÌýEsquire’s Middle East Man of the YearÌý2015 and 2016, he was ranked 1st by Arabian Business Magazine in theÌý100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40Ìýand presented with theÌýMentor Arabia AwardÌýthe same year.ÌýIn 2017 he was awarded the prestigiousÌýGlobal TrailblazerÌýby NGO Bridges of Understanding. His acclaimed trilogyÌýConfessions of a War Child, Lia, and Sahara, was followed by the anticipated release ofÌýTale of Tala.
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With the COVID-19 global lockdown, Chaker launched theÌýCandle of HopeÌýapp to ignite a universal flame through a digital candle. The platform continues to spread hope globally as the world counts lit candles, not pandemic statistics. Witnessing the blast at the port of Beirut, Khazaal penned his 5th novelÌýOUCH! a memoir with a twistÌýin 17 days. An intense journey of pain and psychological conflict, the release date is October 17, 2020.
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NamedÌýEsquire’s Middle East Man of the YearÌý2015 and 2016, he was ranked 1st by Arabian Business Magazine in theÌý100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40Ìýand presented with theÌýMentor Arabia AwardÌýthe same year.ÌýIn 2017 he was awarded the prestigiousÌýGlobal TrailblazerÌýby NGO Bridges of Understanding. His acclaimed trilogyÌýConfessions of a War Child, Lia, and Sahara, was followed by the anticipated release ofÌýTale of Tala.
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With the COVID-19 global lockdown, Chaker launched theÌýCandle of HopeÌýapp to ignite a universal flame through a digital candle. The platform continues to spread hope globally as the world counts lit candles, not pandemic statistics. Witnessing the blast at the port of Beirut, Khazaal penned his 5th novelÌýOUCH! a memoir with a twistÌýin 17 days. An intense journey of pain and psychological conflict, the release date is October 17, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 3, 2020
It's rare that I write a review, almost as rare as in never done before.
But I felt the need to review this one.
In a world full of possibilities to some, and full of despair to others, Ouch is an invitation to seeing life through the eyes and the heart of a young boy born into imprisonment. Yet, limits only exist in the mind, don't they? This book is as real as it gets, a detailed portray of the journey from shackles around the wrists to palms holding awards.
Much love and much respect your way Chaker.
Looking forward to reading your next book, and hearing of your next accomplishment. For I know for a fact, there'll be many more, and for those, I just can't wait.
But I felt the need to review this one.
In a world full of possibilities to some, and full of despair to others, Ouch is an invitation to seeing life through the eyes and the heart of a young boy born into imprisonment. Yet, limits only exist in the mind, don't they? This book is as real as it gets, a detailed portray of the journey from shackles around the wrists to palms holding awards.
Much love and much respect your way Chaker.
Looking forward to reading your next book, and hearing of your next accomplishment. For I know for a fact, there'll be many more, and for those, I just can't wait.
November 21, 2020
You hit this one out of the park!!! An amazing memoir full of culture and history! Great play by play of one’s resilience and drive! Such an inspiration to kids around the world.
Oh and the TWIST!!! Wow!! I mean OUCH!!!
Oh and the TWIST!!! Wow!! I mean OUCH!!!
January 17, 2021
I was asked to read this book by a former student who was involved in its creation. I started reading the book, quite excited to be reading one that I thought would be dealing with such current issues as the pandemic and the Beirut explosion while it explored the life of this young man and his escape from the refugee camps. I was expecting to be drawn into his amazing transformation from refugee to world renowned author and speaker. I have to admit that what he has accomplished in his life is nothing if not amazing, but the book left me wanting. It seemed to read too much as a who's who of people I had never heard of, a bragging of "look who I know" and "look where I have been" of an indulgent child who admitted to temper tantrums when he wasn't treated the way he believed he should be treated. It seemed to gloss over so much "stuff" without delving deeply into anything relevant. I know the character drank a lot of wine, he partied with a lot of "important" people around the world, he wrote other books, but I simply didn't like him (was I disliking a fictional character or a real person?). But, I kept reading because I had made a promise that I would read the book and write a review, and I am glad that I did keep reading. I found myself rooting for "Adam". I enjoyed when Adam appeared as part of the story, and it was Adam who intrigued me enough to finish the book. Of course, once I did finish it, I wanted to go back to see if there were "clues" that would have led me to figure out the "twist".
There is a good story here, but sometimes you have to wade through a bit of what I saw as irrelevant sections where he seemed to be writing with his ego and not his heart (was that intentional?). It could also have used one more proofreading session for those little things that most people might miss, but others pick up on (spelling mistakes and missing words). Ouch!
Do I recommend the book? Yes.
There is a good story here, but sometimes you have to wade through a bit of what I saw as irrelevant sections where he seemed to be writing with his ego and not his heart (was that intentional?). It could also have used one more proofreading session for those little things that most people might miss, but others pick up on (spelling mistakes and missing words). Ouch!
Do I recommend the book? Yes.
April 12, 2021
Awestruck� Don't wait to read OUCH!
Now this may sound super cheesy but bear with me, this is my first ever book review. Admittedly so, this is the case because I'm a book hog; I like to keep the good reads all to myself. This one time I'm willing to share because this book will leave you awestruck and wanting to know more and more about Chaker's inspiring life journey. You won’t be able to put this book down as you just want to know what happens next as you turn each page. When you get to the "twist" in his thrilling memoir, the anticipation to find out what happens will have you on the edge of your seat. You will not be disappointed, if you're still reading this you're wasting valuable OUCH! reading time. Go read it! Now!Ìý
Now this may sound super cheesy but bear with me, this is my first ever book review. Admittedly so, this is the case because I'm a book hog; I like to keep the good reads all to myself. This one time I'm willing to share because this book will leave you awestruck and wanting to know more and more about Chaker's inspiring life journey. You won’t be able to put this book down as you just want to know what happens next as you turn each page. When you get to the "twist" in his thrilling memoir, the anticipation to find out what happens will have you on the edge of your seat. You will not be disappointed, if you're still reading this you're wasting valuable OUCH! reading time. Go read it! Now!Ìý
January 19, 2021
I recommend this book for every one not only middle-eastern or Lebanese, Palestinian people. Chaker tells us about his struggles and difficulties in Lebanon since he is a little boy till when he grew up in a very smooth way. Everything he tells us about is interesting and every story and every detail have a meaning.
Stunning book. I would read it again some day.
Stunning book. I would read it again some day.
October 7, 2023
Palestinian refugee who manages to leave the camp, becomes Canadian, travels the world, shares mental health struggles etc. So you'd think this guy can do better than go on and on with an endless list of who he met, and how through that person he built his network to become famous, which now leads him to thank X or Y for having helped him meet Z who then introduced him to... You get the idea.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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