Mar/Apr 2021 | Memory in the Flesh / Bridges of Constantine by Ahlam Mosteghanemi NO SPOILERS

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

This thread is for discussions of our Mar/Apr 2021 read of Northern Africa Memory in the Flesh also known as The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlam Mosteghanemi with NO SPOILERS (there is a thread with spoilers allowed too) - so feel free to discuss book editions, availability, expectations etc. - when you get into the book, please join us in the spoiler thread! 

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

As I wrote in the poll comments: don't think I'll be able to join this one. Scandinavian interlibrary loans are off because of lockdown in Denmark (even though there was a copy in Uppsala, Sweden). There are no e-book versions available under any of the titles. But enjoy, those who can get their hands on a copy!
(maybe I will get around to reading The Curious Case of Dassoukine’s Trousers by Fouad Laroui in stead.)

[Carolien]

I've ordered a copy, but it will only arrive towards the end of the month. So I'll read it in April.

Anetq, we could consider setting up buddy reads for the other books in the poll if other people will also struggle to find copies of this one. I know it is not available as an ebook in South Africa either and I was lucky to find a copy through one of our booksellers.

We're in our least restricted lockdown level, but my local library is still closed, so other people may also be struggling.

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

Hi Carolien, that's a great idea - I would like to finally read my paper copy of The Curious Case of Dassoukine’s Trousers. I'll make more threads!

[Carolien]

Both of the other options are in my TBR, so I'll see which ones I can join as well.

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

Threads are up! Find them all here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Ardene]

I have purchased a copy of The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlam Mosteghanemi and will be starting it soon.

[George P.]

Carolien wrote: "I've ordered a copy, but it will only arrive towards the end of the month. So I'll read it in April.
Anetq, we could consider setting up buddy reads for the other books in the poll if other peopl..."

I shopped around and just ordered a used (English) copy of Bridges of Constantine via amazon for about $10 (in U. S.). It'll be about 3 wks to get it they say so I'll also read mostly in April. I'm trying to read at least half books by women writers recently so this was a good addition.
[The university library 5 miles from here, which has Bridges of Constantine, is still restricted to students/faculty due to pandemic. I've had vaccine so kind of frustrating that no exceptions for that]

Anetq, I'm impressed that you can usually get interlibrary loans from Scandinavian neighbors. Free?

No. 63 in GR list “Best Middle Eastern fiction", The Bridges of Constantine is a poignant fresco of Algeria over the last 50 years, a searing love story and a hymn to a lost city“.

[Carolien]

That is frustrating, George. Amazon on books for us is a very long process - Amazon refuses to use the local postal service as too many parcels get lost. It can take anything up to 3 months and you have to pay import tax on receipt locally.

I'm also impressed by intercountry interlibrary loans. I'm lucky (and have to pay) if I can get any loan at my local library.

[George P.]

I've been emailed that my copy will be arriving Thursday. I'm working on the other books I have in progress and not starting any others so I'll be ready to go on it when it arrives.
Reading The Magic Mountain is taking soo long...

Update: got my copy today March 22nd; the 3 week estimate was about right. Has the title The Bridges of Constantine, translation by Raphael Cohen, printed in the UK. Got it near-new for $10 US, at some discount to the 9 pound cover price. I look forward to starting now.

[Carolien]

My copy finally arrived today. I have the same version, George.

[George P.]

I have read 25% of the book so far. It is written in 1st person from the male chacracter's point of view. This is not generally convincing, his narration and self-thoughts really seem more like that of a very romantic, melodramatic woman. However the style is rather different from my usual novels, so I am trying to enjoy the difference.

[George P.]

Ardene wrote: "I have purchased a copy of The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlam Mosteghanemi and will be starting it soon."

Have you been reading it yet Ardene?

[Lynda]

Hey everyone, do you recommend the book of The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlam Mosteghanemi? maybe I will read it during this upcoming month April. Thanks for your insights :)

[Carolien]

I've only just started and it is very different from my usual reading, but I generally find that books from North Africa has a very different tone and pace from those of sub-Saharan Africa.

[George P.]

Lynda wrote: "Hey everyone, do you recommend the book of The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlam Mosteghanemi? maybe I will read it during this upcoming month April. Thanks for your insights :)"

I just made it to the halfway point today, I will try to pick up the pace- I was reading some other long books. Her style is more sentimental and florid than I am used to. I'm not sure how high I will rate it. It seems to be intended for a mostly female readership.

[Carolien]

I'm about a third of the way through. I agree, it's a very lyrical style that takes getting used to, but I am enjoying it more as I make progress.

I know nothing about Constantine at all. It turns out to be a World Heritage Site and quite beautiful from the photos that I can find.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/activities/...

There are quite a few photos of the bridges in this article:
https://www.unusualtraveler.com/const...