Interesting vignettes of mostly the same type of woman - an upper class, educated woman - and her struggles for autonomy and personal choice in the face of traditional expectations in an Arab and Muslim society. Some are supernatural, some are stunningly realistic. Her stories are feminist for their time and they really show Samman's strength as an Arab writer. However, they are just that - feminist *for their time.* Samman's idea of feminism - revolutionary in the Arab world in the 60s and 70s - is individualistic, often devoid of class analysis, and closer to what we would understand as "liberal feminism" today. Nonetheless, I appreciate the sensitivity to Arab culture and the desire to widen the space for Arab women within it, rather than denigrating it or condemning it as wholly backward. Great read with interesting stories.
A marvelous collection of 10 short stories combining Arabic tradition melding with the modern world. An eclectic mix dealing with the sexes and identities with feminist undertones, and spirits as well. Lots of twists and turns, humor, surprise endings not to mention a very realistic portrayal of various characters lives involved in a few very clever story lines.
Immortal vs. mortal world of stories such as a a matchmaker's spirit counsels her favorite nephew on selecting a bride. We read of a discussion of murder and relationships with women from a schizophrenic's personality. Another story tells of a young woman being terrorized by an unknown spirit she believes to be her living ex husband, coincidently discussing this with a neighbor who is comforted by her deceased daughter and husband's spirits.
Well written and a wide variety of stories sure to appeal to all. Mixing tradition with modern adds to the various stories.
Visitors of a Dying Person: "As for me, I abandoned you for another man before you abandoned me for another woman, so you took revenge by kicking me out of my job."
"Like all men, I love to be a womanizer. It was difficult for me when you took away my role and acted like a 'manizer.' You had to be punished!"
"Here is my father, waiting for me on the other shore, as he does everyday. He knows me and is happy at my return. I鈥檒l join him and we will resume planting pines and cedars in the garden in honor of the birth of ghosts, many as they are. We have planted a tree for a young woman not yet born and we put up posters for her in the avenues of the heart, hoping she will be born a ghost all at once without being polluted by first being a human being."