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A review by abbie_
Blood Feast: The Complete Short Stories of Malika Moustadraf by Malika Moustadraf
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.25
I buddy read this one with Nadia and we both agreed that it would have been a far better experience had the excellent translator's note been placed at the beginning of the collection! As it was, we both felt underwhelmed at a lot of the stories, or left feeling 'What was the point of that?'Â
But when you understand more of the context of these stories, and how radical Moustadraf was (so radical that she was denied treatment for her illness which meant she died far too young), they take on a new light. This collection contains the first instance of cybersex in Arabic lit, as well as the first (I think) intersex/genderqueer character in Moroccan lit.Â
The main message of the collection could be summed up as 'men are trash'. The women in these stories lack agency, are stuck in loveless and often abusive marriages or suffer at the hands of abusive or neglectful fathers, entitled men whinge and moan about their situation in life then take it out on the women around them. A few of the stories focus on self-perpetuating cycles of violence and poverty which trap so many women and nonbinary folks in less-than-ideal situations.Â
Moustadraf does such a good job of writing unlikeable characters - possibly too much of a good job? In that, I felt tired and drained after reading almost every story, because there's so few repercussions. But sadly that is how it is in real life too, more often than not.Â
Overall, a collection I appreciated lot more upon reflection than while reading!
But when you understand more of the context of these stories, and how radical Moustadraf was (so radical that she was denied treatment for her illness which meant she died far too young), they take on a new light. This collection contains the first instance of cybersex in Arabic lit, as well as the first (I think) intersex/genderqueer character in Moroccan lit.Â
The main message of the collection could be summed up as 'men are trash'. The women in these stories lack agency, are stuck in loveless and often abusive marriages or suffer at the hands of abusive or neglectful fathers, entitled men whinge and moan about their situation in life then take it out on the women around them. A few of the stories focus on self-perpetuating cycles of violence and poverty which trap so many women and nonbinary folks in less-than-ideal situations.Â
Moustadraf does such a good job of writing unlikeable characters - possibly too much of a good job? In that, I felt tired and drained after reading almost every story, because there's so few repercussions. But sadly that is how it is in real life too, more often than not.Â
Overall, a collection I appreciated lot more upon reflection than while reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse