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494th out of 549 books
—
173 voters
The Stone of Laughter
The Stone of Laughter is a virile novel which brings forth the contradictory history of a city under fire through the life and dilemmas of a gay man. It is a bold and radical novel, full of black humor and cynical observations about life in war-torn Beirut. In 1990, when it first appeared in Arabic, it was hailed by critics throughout the Arab world as the best novel set a...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
April 1st 1995
by Interlink Publishing Group
(first published 1995)
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Read this in an Arabic literature class taught by Professor Hussein.
" . . . the street after the explosion was even more meek and peaceful, like a believer after he has said his prayers" (32).
"On his way home from the party Khalil passed underneath the balcony of the woman who was doggedly resisting the dirt that came up from the street . . . . she was standing on a high chair and was busy polishing the glass, busy with the irresistible love of life" (95).
"This is the most beautiful relationship...more
" . . . the street after the explosion was even more meek and peaceful, like a believer after he has said his prayers" (32).
"On his way home from the party Khalil passed underneath the balcony of the woman who was doggedly resisting the dirt that came up from the street . . . . she was standing on a high chair and was busy polishing the glass, busy with the irresistible love of life" (95).
"This is the most beautiful relationship...more
An intriguingly amazing novel, indeed.. especially when read in the original language (Arabic.. charming language.
I would suggest this book to anybody looking for a good Arabic novel not written by Naguib Mahfouz.
الآن متاحة الكترونيًا
http://www.mediafire.com/?neq1rxaqu7j...
http://www.mediafire.com/?neq1rxaqu7j...
Another powerful novel from Interlink World Fiction's excellent series of translated Arabic literature.
رواية مقززة ويؤسفني أن تقوم وزارة الثقافة الأردنية بطباعة هذا الكتاب وعرضه بثمن رمزي في معرض "القراءة للجميع".
Apr 28, 2013
منى كريم
added it
One of the best Arab novels I read. A problematic and easy approach to queerness but nevertheless a great and humanizing account of the civil war.
Rereading for paper writing. (5.2.2011)
Four-and-a-half stars, actually. A beautiful book. (4.2.2011)
Four-and-a-half stars, actually. A beautiful book. (4.2.2011)
Such an amazingly written book. I could not put it down. I was entranced by its amazing narrative and use of stream of consciousness to present an artistically original novel. A great book, indeed!
Interesting account of life in Beirut during Lebanon's civil war from the perspective of a homosexual man who is in the closet. It moves really slowly. Too slowly. I'm having trouble finishing it.
heartbreakingly brilliant
May 17, 2013
Yasmin
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May 06, 2013
Daldoula
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Apr 30, 2013
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Hoda Barakat (Arabic: هدى بركات) is an acclaimed Lebanese novelist who lived much of her life in Beirut and later moved to Paris, where she now resides. Her works, written in Arabic, have been translated into many languages.
Her first work Hajar al-Dahik (The Stone of Laughter), is the first Arabic work to have a gay man as its main character. Her third novel, Harit al-miyah (The Tiller of Waters),...more
More about Hoda Barakat...
Her first work Hajar al-Dahik (The Stone of Laughter), is the first Arabic work to have a gay man as its main character. Her third novel, Harit al-miyah (The Tiller of Waters),...more
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