Scan barcode
thatothernigeriangirl's review
dark
funny
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
jayisreading's review
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This rather short collection is comprised of eight short stories that bring together elements of wit, humor, tragedy, and elegance to explore political unrest and societal structures in Libya. It wouldn’t be totally off to call these stories tragicomedies, given some of the absurd twists that Bin Shatwan spins. And, while I don’t know Arabic, I believe Sawad Hussain beautifully delivered Bin Shatwan’s stories.
Like any short story collection, I liked some more than others, but I found them all intriguing.
Like any short story collection, I liked some more than others, but I found them all intriguing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, War, and Sexism
dianahincureads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Instant 5⭐️ from me.
8 unique short stories unfolding against a backdrop of political unrest. In only 90+ pages, Najwa Bin Shatwan, Libyan academic and novelist, masterfully mixes tragedy and wit in these portraits of resilience that closely examine the absurdity of war and the profound effects it has both at an individual and national level.
✨A household full of daughters, carefully kept away from men’s view. What will grandma do when a thief breaks in and the father is not home?
✨A guard is silently plotting against his bloodthirsty general who, in turn, is plotting against an invisible enemy.
✨A man is caught between 2 warring parties. Is endless torture the price of loyalty?
✨A meandering cow enters the wrong field, unearthing an old feud.
✨A group of future cinematographers reflects on their new assignment at a workshop: a short film about traffic in Libya. What will they come up with?
✨A woman writes a letter describing her life in a refugee camp. What will the future be like for her children?
✨An old Beetle participates at a marathon, clouding all the other participants in smoke.
✨An old woman ponders on that one time she left her village and the series of unfortunate events that followed.
I know I'll go back to this little book. It is published by Dedalus, the same publishing house that gave us the wonderful anthology Baltic Belles. Do not sleep on Dedalus! It's criminally underrated.
8 unique short stories unfolding against a backdrop of political unrest. In only 90+ pages, Najwa Bin Shatwan, Libyan academic and novelist, masterfully mixes tragedy and wit in these portraits of resilience that closely examine the absurdity of war and the profound effects it has both at an individual and national level.
✨A household full of daughters, carefully kept away from men’s view. What will grandma do when a thief breaks in and the father is not home?
✨A guard is silently plotting against his bloodthirsty general who, in turn, is plotting against an invisible enemy.
✨A man is caught between 2 warring parties. Is endless torture the price of loyalty?
✨A meandering cow enters the wrong field, unearthing an old feud.
✨A group of future cinematographers reflects on their new assignment at a workshop: a short film about traffic in Libya. What will they come up with?
✨A woman writes a letter describing her life in a refugee camp. What will the future be like for her children?
✨An old Beetle participates at a marathon, clouding all the other participants in smoke.
✨An old woman ponders on that one time she left her village and the series of unfortunate events that followed.
I know I'll go back to this little book. It is published by Dedalus, the same publishing house that gave us the wonderful anthology Baltic Belles. Do not sleep on Dedalus! It's criminally underrated.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Torture
More...