It doesn't fit my needs since I am looking for novels that give time/space/cultural specificity of contemporary Iraq. There might be three sentences in the novel that reference contemporary Iraqi history. Half the book takes place in Spain the other half in a seemingly insulated Iraqi village.
Still. I picked up the book yesterday. Today I finished it. Not only is it short but I found it impossible to put down. The reason? Al-Ramli can write! He can find great depth in a single emotion. First love, for example. Who would be able to write 10 pages on it. The obedience of a son for his father: who could have that he could write 15 pages on it. The love of God that can become absolute un-wisdom, who could have thought you could write 20 pages on it. Al-Ramli has a manner of getting into a particular emotion until it is turned inside out and completely connected to everything. Just remarkable.
And the pacing, wow. He keeps the narrative momentum taught till the last line. Amazing skill.
Then there is the wisdom. Only the most important questions. With only the greatest psychological depth. Brave work. Very.