Rafi Mittlefehldt

What Makes Us gives the reader an inside look at anger and the ramifications of secrets.

Eran Sharon passionately supports many causes and harbors the feelings of injustice for everyone. He has a long list of injustices. Even one of his electives revolves around society and injustices where he voices his opinions about everything, including the possibility that violence is sometimes necessary to create change. His mother cannot understand these strong emotions--let everything be someone else's problem is her opinion. Eran is also Israeli, where much prejudice exists. When he organizes a protest against allowing police to have more power, Eran finds he cannot control himself. A spectator argues with one of the other teenage friends of Eran, so Eran rushes over only to forcefully poke his finger in the guy's chest. The guy stumbles backward and falls. Yep--all caught on the news cameras.

Eran cannot imagine the ramifications of this event. Thankfully, the guy has no intentions of pressing charges. Nonetheless, the consequences ensue. So, what happened after the guy fell? Eran's mother, unknowingly to Eran came to the protest to see what her son was into and tells him in front of the cameras, "This is not our fight." He gets in the car with his mother and goes home. A smart reporter picks up on the phrase, "This is not our fight." One phone call. Everything changes.

After Eran finds out the big secret of his life, he cannot possibly concentrate. His friends notice and he tells them what he learned. Jade is one of these friends. She hasn't been around long, but he feels comfortable revealing this dark secret to her and his best friend. While suspended for pushing the guy at a protest from school, Eran has time to deal with all of the changes in his life. Parallel stories, Jade has questions about her life. There's a picture of her that has inconsistencies to her life. There are also topics she isn't allowed to talk about in front of her mother. What's the secret?

The book's main characters are less Eran and Jade and more anger and the ramifications that happen because of secrets. Eran frequently talks about his inability to stop and think. He says he realizes right when he's gone to far, but he can't stop before then. He responds quickly and argues well with people over all different topics. He never learns--he keeps making the same mistake over and over and cannot control his temper. He believes his temper is from his mother until the secret comes out. Would his life had been different if his mother had told him the truth? Would his identity be less anger and one of thoughtful and purposeful action? Could he have stayed anonymous? When secrets are kept for years, others feel the tension. This tension is what causes Jade to feel disconnected.

I don't know if I liked the book. Eran drove me crazy because he couldn't learn. Over and over he committed the same mistakes. I also couldn't believe his epiphany. People told him he had a problem and he just felt he was passionate and it's his mom's fault for having a temper. Taking responsibility is not Eran's strength. It's only when Jade says something that Eran can change. I found this change unbelievable. What I liked about the novel is what IS believable. People are angry. People are angry in America all the time. No one listens. Everyone argues and is prepared to "fight" online, in person, and on social media. It dominates so many peoples' lives just like it does Eran's. He also lives in Texas highlighting the political climate in Texas. Because of this underlying anger, I feel it's the main character and Eran is merely the vehicle. Perhaps that's why I'm ambivalent to whether I like the novel. I'm so tired of the ever present anger as people all feel abused and refuse to take responsibility for their actions when in the throes of their anger. I do think it's worth your time to meet Eran, his mother, and Jade. It'll make you think and, perhaps, be more thoughtful.… (más)