A review by aunnalea
Memory for Forgetfulness: August, Beirut, 1982 by Mahmoud Darwish, Ibrahim Muhawi
3.0
It took me a bit to get into this book. I liked the poems embedded in the prose more than some of the prose itself. Also, I clearly don't know enough about this history to get all of the references. I wasn't thrilled with the portrayal of women in this book, either as solely objects of desire or nagging wives. And yet, there are some really profound and beautiful reflections on being a Palestinian in Beirut during this time.
"Is there anything more cruel than this absence: that you should not be the one to celebrate your victory or the one to lament your defeat? That you should stay offstage and not make an entrance except as the subject for others to take up and interpret."
"A drowning man has no need to make sure the river is flowing. A man on fire has no need to make sure the flames keep burning. And a hanged man doesn't have to guarantee the strength of the rope."
"Is there anything more cruel than this absence: that you should not be the one to celebrate your victory or the one to lament your defeat? That you should stay offstage and not make an entrance except as the subject for others to take up and interpret."
"A drowning man has no need to make sure the river is flowing. A man on fire has no need to make sure the flames keep burning. And a hanged man doesn't have to guarantee the strength of the rope."