book data
94 ratings, 3.99 average rating, 17 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
March 1997
by Quartet Books (UK)
binding
Hardcover, 227 pages
isbn
0704326108
(isbn13: 9780704326101)
description
In this stunning novel, Assia Djebar intertwines the history of her native Algeria with episodes from the life of a young girl in a story stretching f...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 127)
Read in March, 2008
Assia Djebar wants you to write a term paper about her book. She wants you to deploy trendy crit theory terminology to unpack her overtly symbolic and extremely self-aware meta-narrative of historical readings, elided autobiography and tiresome, italicized hinge pieces. But she also wants you to learn about Algerian history, about life as an Arab woman and about the torturous process of forging an identity in the liminal space between a conquering and a conquered nation. Unfortunately, she has l...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
I read Fantasia for postcolonial studies in college, but it's taken me ever since then to "get" it - it's one of the smartest books I've ever read.
Djebar, in this elegantly structured novel of points and counterpoints, seems to be inviting you to step in and unpack the various threads of culture, virginity, language, womanhood, veiling, and self/other. However, no sooner have you formulated a sense of an enduring truth than you are confronted by a contradictory yet simultane...more
Djebar, in this elegantly structured novel of points and counterpoints, seems to be inviting you to step in and unpack the various threads of culture, virginity, language, womanhood, veiling, and self/other. However, no sooner have you formulated a sense of an enduring truth than you are confronted by a contradictory yet simultane...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in May, 2004
apparently a fantasia is a military manuever of the opposing sides taking turns being on the offensive and the defensive, making a back and forth sort of motion. if you look at the table of contents for this book, the actual structure of the novel takes that form as well--in and out, indented and not (brilliant!).
using a mix of first person memoir, written-down oral accounts from algerian women, and actual military accounts, djebar tells the history of the algerian-french conflict in way th...more
using a mix of first person memoir, written-down oral accounts from algerian women, and actual military accounts, djebar tells the history of the algerian-french conflict in way th...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This work houses some of the most beautiful language I have ever seen on a page. The author seemed to draw from the experiences of her soul to create this work of art. I only withhold five stars because the book is longer than necessary, and difficult to read due to its structure. There is no through story line. It is a series of vignettes, quick glimpses, into Algerian history under French imperialism. It's positively dripping with symbolism and metaphors so beautiful they can make you weep.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 1999
I read this book years ago in a women's lit class and absolutely loved it. I knew only a very little bit about Algeria and their drawn out war with France for independence, and this book portrayed those times in vivid fashion. Interweaving the stories of the war with the stories of a girl growing up in Algeria over 100 years later was done beautifully by the author. I had the opportunity to meet her in this class, which was amazing - it was a memorable experience.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Can be a bit confusing with the interweaving of time frames from past to more present. Algeria's colonization- and the fragmentation of its history, told from both oral stories and written reports from Algerians, french soldiers, and observers. An interesting piecing together of different views to create a sense of history and identity. Discusses the strength and importance of the role of women in this time of revolution and struggle.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
The structure is interesting: personal memory counterpointed against epic history. However, I found myself far more attracted to the personal memory side of things, and that's certainly where Djebar's literary powers reside. I guess I still want to read more of what she's written, because I think there's a lot of promise here, so I think in the end I enjoyed it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2004
I came across this on my bookshelf and after rereading the first paragraph, I remembered why I fell in love with this book four years ago. It is almost a perfect book - it tackles religion, war, colonialism, the role of women, and most importantly love - and does so in exquisitely beautiful language.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
Interesting structure. Read for Trauma class while also taking a Transnational Feminism class....interesting intersections between representing trauma as art and the feminist themes. I can't say the reading experience would have been the same without the specific timing between the classes.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 1997
The historical events of the French occupation in Algeria ; The perfect description of Emir Abdelkader as a revolutionary and a man of wisdom...
Assia Djebbar wrote this book with emotion and sensitivity that express her deep love to her country, not only to Cezaree, her hometown...
Assia Djebbar wrote this book with emotion and sensitivity that express her deep love to her country, not only to Cezaree, her hometown...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone interested in modern Arab literature
Fantasia is a fascinating account of the French occupation of Algeria. The novel is partly from the perspective of an Algerian woman and partly from actual accounts of the occupation. It speaks mainly to the intricate and complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
Assia Djebar is one of the most eloquent writers i've ever read. Her language is absolutely enchanting. However, this book could be difficult for someone unfamilar with Algerian history and culture, as well postcolonial and postmodernist theory and literature.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Really beautiful -- stunning, really. Djebar recuperates the voices of Algerian women during the country's revolution and the violent French colonization. Truly, it pushes our understanding of history, its construction, in a very literary medium.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Interesting read and a great fictional work. Its political implications are mired in the loose, moralistic arena of post-colonial studies. bleh.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1999
She juxtaposes history with oral history with life history... a truly feminist chronicle of the Colonial experience in Algeria.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Amazing narrative of the Algerian liberation struggle against the French. Great descriptions and historical references, very moving.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2006
The story of Algerian women finding their voice under occupation and under the veil. Beautiful...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 16 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 3 people's shelves)
africa (on 2 people's shelves)
library--nypl (on 1 person's shelf)
literature (on 1 person's shelf)
women (on 1 person's shelf)
sociology-gender-and-nationalism (on 1 person's shelf)
french-language-fiction (on 1 person's shelf)
fiction (on 1 person's shelf)
books-to-check-out (on 1 person's shelf)
More shelves...
currently-reading (on 3 people's shelves)
africa (on 2 people's shelves)
library--nypl (on 1 person's shelf)
literature (on 1 person's shelf)
women (on 1 person's shelf)
sociology-gender-and-nationalism (on 1 person's shelf)
french-language-fiction (on 1 person's shelf)
fiction (on 1 person's shelf)
books-to-check-out (on 1 person's shelf)
More shelves...
groups with this book
