Of Dreams and Assassins (Caraf Books)
2 journalers for this copy...
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Trade paperback in good condition. From the back:
"Of Dreams and Assassins is the urgent and rhythmic fourth novel of Malika Mokeddem, her second to appear in English. Born in Algeria to a Bedouin family that had only recently become sedentary. Mokeddem was raised on the stories of her grandmother who encouraged her education at a time when girls did not go to school. Although raised in a tolerant strain of Islam, Mokeddem nevertheless felt the weight of custom and tradition. Of Dreams and Assassins, though not strictly autobiographical, evokes through the beauty and vastness and oppressive heat of the desert Mokeddem's early yearning for freedom. Through its heroine, Kenza and her simultaneous rebellion and immersion in the literary classics at a boarding school, the novel dramatizes the possibilities for women to express their identities."
My review: This is a lovely, lyrical story, showing with hearthbreaking depth the suffering of women under an oppressive regime. Mokeddem lived this life and her personal experience shows through. Kudos to the translator K. Melissa Marcus for her brilliant translation which resonates with the emotion and poetry of the original. Kenza is a damaged narrator who explores the pain of her life like a probe in an open wound. It's with relief, the reader follows her to some semblance of safety and the slight possibility of happiness. One caveat: in my edition there is a twenty-page introduction covering the history of Algeria, Mokeddem's life, and other literature of the diaspora. It's interesting, but read it at the end for context. I almost put the book away, because the introduction was so academic.
"Of Dreams and Assassins is the urgent and rhythmic fourth novel of Malika Mokeddem, her second to appear in English. Born in Algeria to a Bedouin family that had only recently become sedentary. Mokeddem was raised on the stories of her grandmother who encouraged her education at a time when girls did not go to school. Although raised in a tolerant strain of Islam, Mokeddem nevertheless felt the weight of custom and tradition. Of Dreams and Assassins, though not strictly autobiographical, evokes through the beauty and vastness and oppressive heat of the desert Mokeddem's early yearning for freedom. Through its heroine, Kenza and her simultaneous rebellion and immersion in the literary classics at a boarding school, the novel dramatizes the possibilities for women to express their identities."
My review: This is a lovely, lyrical story, showing with hearthbreaking depth the suffering of women under an oppressive regime. Mokeddem lived this life and her personal experience shows through. Kudos to the translator K. Melissa Marcus for her brilliant translation which resonates with the emotion and poetry of the original. Kenza is a damaged narrator who explores the pain of her life like a probe in an open wound. It's with relief, the reader follows her to some semblance of safety and the slight possibility of happiness. One caveat: in my edition there is a twenty-page introduction covering the history of Algeria, Mokeddem's life, and other literature of the diaspora. It's interesting, but read it at the end for context. I almost put the book away, because the introduction was so academic.
for someone else to enjoy.
2010 THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE - RELEASE
Selected from MarysGirl's Something for Everybody MTR Bookbox, it looks good and thanks for including it!
Journal Entry 5 by bookstogive at Bookbox in -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (1/26/2013 UTC) at Bookbox in -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Released into the ABC bookbox, happy travels!
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To the finder of this book:
Welcome to BookCrossing, a unique community of book lovers, who are sharing their libraries with the world. This book is now yours to read, enjoy, keep or pass on to another reader.
The BookCrossing ID, which you entered in the "Enter a BCID" box on the website, is unique to this copy of this book. We would be delighted if you would make a journal entry to say you have found the book. It is fun for other readers of this book to see where the book has traveled-sometimes around the world!
BookCrossing is free to join, completely confidential, and you may remain anonymous (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address) and a great deal of fun. If you choose to join please consider using me BOOKSTOGIVE as your referring member.