Skein of wool كبة صوف

by Mohamed Hichem Smaali

Skein of wool is a poetry collection that tackles themes like trauma, love, hope and growth. Its silhouette is sewed by English, Arabic and Tunisian dialect to create a sincere reflection of soul.

Genres: Poetry

90 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2019

About the author

Mohamed Hichem Smaali is a medical student, active within civil society with numerous NGOs. He is especially passionate about sexual and reproductive health and human rights.

Reviews

[Manel Hedhili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skein of wool de Hichem Smaali est une vraie découverte. Un recueil poétique à savourer lors d’une longue nuit blanche...
All the words you didn’t say, all the words you wish you’ve said.. you’ll find them in this book.
And of course big up to Mehrez Fazaa for the beautiful illustrations.

Let’s not forget to thank Pop Libris Editions... thank you for letting the light reach the young writers.

[Kal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book and during that process, ended up falling in love with it. Hichem writes with such a delicate style, and it has such a sensitive touch that made me shiver with each poem. Oh and I love how he wrote with the Tunisian dialect, it’s something original and so beautiful. I wished there were more passages I could read of that. And we can’t forget how ravishing the illustrations are. They spoke to me in words I can’t explain. So great job Mehrez, you added a splendid light to this book.
I wish we could see more great Tunisian modern poetry books like this. Something light that sensibilizes us and makes us sway with each verse. Something pure and coming from the deepest part of a heart. Hichem, I am going to be waiting for your next masterpiece.

[OthelloPrésente · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was M A G I C A L. Bravo Hichem (and Hrouz for the illustrations)
ce receuil de poèmes écrit par Mohamed Hichem Smaali et magnifiquement illustré par Mehrez Fazzáa va tourner autour des sentiments, de l'amour, de la rupture, de l'attachement surtout mais pas que. La psychologie des narrateurs y est très bien approfondie, je me suis reconnu en beaucoup de passages très honnêtement et ça fait mal (et très libérateur) des fois de relire tout haut ce qu'on pense tout bas.
Autre point fort de ce livre, c'est que même si les illustrations représentent quelque chose de très hétéro-normatif (couple, hommes et femmes cis), les bribes de paroles qu'on va lire en sont carrément androgynes (non-genrés ;) ) et pour ça je tire mon chapeau à l'auteur pour avoir fait attention à ce tout petit détail qui pourtant peut en toucher plus d'un.
Ensuite, au niveau des langues mélangées (anglais, dialecte TN et arabe), malheureusement ça aura été le seul défaut du bouquin selon moi. J'avais l'impression que les rares traductions étaient juste là pour faire joli. (bien que j'avais la voix de l'auteur en tête, comme s'il me lisait son livre, oui je sais c'est bizarre)
Voilà, ce petit livre est une très belle découverte me concernant, je vous le conseille à fond si vous voulez quelque chose d'à la fois léger, profond et (le plus important !) tunisien 😉

[Marwa Reading Passion · Rating 3 out of 5]

كبة الصوف هي سلسلة طويلة من الخيوط، منظمة بصعوبة و دقة و إن اختل نظامها يصعب إرجاعها إلى ما كانت عليه.. تماما كما أرواحنا، إن تبعثرت فلن تعود إلى سابق عهدها بسهولة.

مجموعة من القصائد باللغتين الانڤليزية و العربية و بعضها بالعامية التونسية تشبه كبة الصوف إن انحلت..
تتحدث عن الروح و القلب و شواغله من هيام و شوق و فراق ، بسيطة و سلسة و تأخذ تركيزك و تشبه الخواطر التي تشغلنا و التي لا نجرؤ على البوح بها.

أعترف أنني لست من هواة الشعر و من الصعب جدا أن تشدني القصيدة لكنني أحببت هذا الكتاب الخفيف كثيرا. و أعجبت بالقصائد المكتوبة باللغة الانڤليزية أكثر. كما أبهرتني الرسوم الملحقة بالقصائد.

[Amal -book flavors · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skein of wool is a poetry book in English, Arabic and Tunisian Darija. I liked the mixture of poems and thoughts. Also, the illustrations by Mehrez Fazaa were expressive and were obviously an added value to the book.

[Asma Daoudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, while rating this book, I was a bit confused about how many stars it does actually deserve. Then I put 4 instead of 5 stars, considering Hichem as a genuine writer, not as an amateur writer nor a person that I'm praising.
To start, the book cover is stunningly amazing. It transfers the main message in the book, and what highlighted the deep meaning is obviously the book's name. Skein Of Wool, attractive as it could be, emphasized yet explained the root cause of the existence of this book in my hands right now.
Hichem's feather made me go through the book fast , and I devoured every page, since I found myself in almost each and every inch of word.
It deals with different yet rare aspects such as dark , trauma , love etc. Every aspect is represented by the state of the skein: tangled, black,mint etc
And I loved it so freaking much as Hichem admitted that it is a sincere reflection of soul.
But ( that famous but doesn't always foreshadow something good), what I really didn't like was the mixture of 2 languages + the Tunisian dialect. Hichem was really excellent in drawing, sewing and sculpting the different messages,however I felt like I was reading 3 books at the same time. Perhaps,he preferred doing it to show more how his life was tangled, messed up, snarled ,still full of hope.
Yet, personally I found that this choice has decreased the book's value.
All I wish for Hichem is the best of luck.💜💜

[Rania Attafi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I promised the author to give an HONEST review, I will HONESTLY say that I loved this book.
The poems are heartfelt and as beautiful as the human being who wrote them.
Congratulations Hichem, YOU DID IT!
I can't wait to see what you write next :*

[Emna Saidane · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a year ago, I read "Satrdust" by Rania Attafi, and I liked it so much that I wished we could have more poetry collections like this. And it lookes like the writer of this incredibly sensational poetry collection heard my little wish. This book fullfilled me, to say the least. Would definitely recommend it to everyone out there who's looking for some spiritual guiding. ( ALSO, the illustrations are made by one of my favourite people in the world, so I'd strongly recommend it)

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved it .it felt like the writer is describing my feelings.just waw

[Râ Ñîä]

I want to read these book

[Nada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had low expectations when I first purchased the book. I thought "Ah, another attempt at English. Another attempt at poetry." I bought it anyway because I believe in Pop Libris. They do more than just publish books.
Raw, consistent and vulnerable.
Final result: exceeded expectations.

[Eya Rziga · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK