A review by pattydsf
Distant View of a Minaret and Other Stories, by Alifa Rifaat, Denys Johnson-Davies, أليفة رفعت
4.0
“Daughter, I’m not crying now because I’m fed up or regret that the Lord created me a woman. No, it’s not that. It’s just that I’m sad about my life and my youth that have come and gone without my knowing how to live them really and truly as a woman.”
Who knows where I heard about this book. I had never seen a copy, so when I got this collection of short stories from Paperback Swap, I was a little disappointed. It seemed so short. I thought I had gotten shortchanged in my swap. I was wrong. This is a lovely, well-written glimpse into a world I never knew.
There are fifteen stories here, all narrated by women. Since the book is only 116 pages, some of the tales are very short. Rifaat does not waste a single word. There is just enough here, in every story, to tell us what we need to know. I realize that many people don’t like short stories because they are so brief. However, when a mistress of story is writing, we should all read what she has to say. Rifaat is a genius and these are all enlightening.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about women.
Who knows where I heard about this book. I had never seen a copy, so when I got this collection of short stories from Paperback Swap, I was a little disappointed. It seemed so short. I thought I had gotten shortchanged in my swap. I was wrong. This is a lovely, well-written glimpse into a world I never knew.
There are fifteen stories here, all narrated by women. Since the book is only 116 pages, some of the tales are very short. Rifaat does not waste a single word. There is just enough here, in every story, to tell us what we need to know. I realize that many people don’t like short stories because they are so brief. However, when a mistress of story is writing, we should all read what she has to say. Rifaat is a genius and these are all enlightening.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about women.