about the book
origin
The book came out of a talk the author gave to his 13 year-old grandson who had said “can someone explain Gaza to me?”. It took about an hour and laid out the background in a straightforward way.
Shortly afterwards he did the same thing for a friend in her early 60s.
Out of that came the idea of a book.
title
In a moment of unexplainable magic, the title came ‘out of nowhere’ at the very beginning of the process, before a word had been written.
For the author it was compelling; something he was unable to let go of, and it prompted the question: “if a book had this title, what would be in it?”.
The writing task was then to find the answer to that question.
what’s it about?
It tells the story of Palestine and its people, from the 1880s to somewhere near the present day.
Five fruit-themed sections break up the history, zooming in on places and people in a way that provides emotional depth.
what’s it like?
The book is based on four principles. It’s simple, unusual, and intended for the heart as well as the head. Most importantly, though, it is - like any history - a sincere attempt to be true to the facts.
“This book offers a powerful and a comprehensive history of Palestine, told through the stories of five fruits that have endured and resisted colonial violence. By tracing how these fruits became targets of domination, expropriation, and erasure, the author illuminates the broader project of colonisation that has long sought to control land, resources, narrative, and identity. Free from academic footnotes or heavy referencing, the book invites readers to engage directly with well‑documented realities without distraction.
At the heart of this work lies Palestinian resistance, steadfastness, and global solidarity forces that are not only essential to the struggle for justice but also speak to the moral responsibility of humanity to challenge complicit governments and institutions. The book embodies the true meaning of solidarity, calling readers to action through literature, the preservation of native seeds, boycott, and legal advocacy.
Wellens skilfully weaves together the many dimensions of ongoing colonialism in Palestine and highlights the creative, diverse forms of defiance that make up a vibrant “mosaic of resistance.” As an activist, he stands alongside Palestinians in imagining a decolonised future with clarity, courage, and unwavering commitment, a future where liberation makes Palestine inclusive for all.
This is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the ongoing colonisation of Palestine and steadfastness, resistance, solidarity, and hope in the face of violence and dispossession.”
Nadia Naser-Najjab | Co-Director of European Centre for Palestine Studies, University of Exeter.