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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This novel captures you even when you're on your guard I was taken in by the first page. And it became one of my favorites in the 11th.
Not only this novel is full of wisdom. It's witty and makes you think (in a good way!) I have often stopped to contemplate the lines, the words and thoughts behind this masterpiece. And every time I reach va conclusion I realized that I had nothing after all.
I found it very amusing. You laugh and think while flipping this hungrily to know what comes next. It was a fun ride
The novel mixed zen teachings, Arabic heritage and melodrama. The events are so amusing. The plot was carefully written as not to make it look complicated. I could see this in a movie production... I wonder if it is.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because some of the other stories were a bit dull or mystifying.
Not only this novel is full of wisdom. It's witty and makes you think (in a good way!) I have often stopped to contemplate the lines, the words and thoughts behind this masterpiece. And every time I reach va conclusion I realized that I had nothing after all.
I found it very amusing. You laugh and think while flipping this hungrily to know what comes next. It was a fun ride
The novel mixed zen teachings, Arabic heritage and melodrama. The events are so amusing. The plot was carefully written as not to make it look complicated. I could see this in a movie production... I wonder if it is.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because some of the other stories were a bit dull or mystifying.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this is my second foray into mahfouz’ work, and it’s alright! his surrealist work is less nuanced than his realist stuff, but what’s here is really really interesting in concept. it’s a book all about death, it pervades just about every short story contained within, and death comes in many different forms depending on the story, which is a really unique idea, i think. every brand of surrealism is taken from the culture of the author’s place of origin, and mahfouz really digs into surrealist ideas that seem very unique to a muslim way of seeing the world.
the writing isn’t my favorite, but i’ll reduce that to the translation being a bit unfavorable to mahfouz’ writing style.
the writing isn’t my favorite, but i’ll reduce that to the translation being a bit unfavorable to mahfouz’ writing style.
What a collection! Each of these stories where printed separately in a span of more than twenty years from 1973 to 1999, and handpicked by the translator, Raymond Stock, for this edition. They are all magnificent, but my favorites were ‘The Seventh Heaven’ (1979), ‘The Disturbing Occurrences’ (1979), ‘Room no. 12’ (1973), ‘Forgetfulness’ (1984), ‘Man of Awesome Power’ (1996) and ‘The Rose Garden’ (1999). Some of them, like Forgetfulness were so chilling I could not keep on reading afterwards. I was completely mesmerized. Also, “Man of Awesome Power” reminded me of Jim Carrey’s movie ‘Bruce Almighty’, but better; with no Hollywood sweet ending. If you’ve never read Mahfouz, this is a good place to start.