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Jump to navigationJump to searchTea at the Grand Tazi by Alexandra Singer (view source)
Revision as of 12:03, 14 April 2012
, 12:03, 14 April 2012no edit summary
There is a clear structure here and a good sense of atmosphere, and an even clearer intent to explore issues. What is created most strongly for me is the heat, the confusion and the seedy nature of both surroundings and tourists. This is more ambitious than merely a travel novel though, for it attempts to tackle some complex interwoven issues. Singer uses the clash of cultures to create more than a mystery, and in fact more than a novel of growing up. She especially explores how isolation and alienation can lead to dependence and corruption, something very currently an issue with young women in certain British towns today.
For an 'inside' exploration of womanhood in the post-Arab spring world, I would recommend [[Sarmada by Fadi AssamAzzam and Adam Talib (Translator)|Sarmada by Fadi Azzam]] which complements this rather 'outsider' view. But to move away from the fictional, [[The Arab Spring by Tony Manhire (editor)|The Arab Spring]], edited by Tony Manhire, is an exploration of many aspects of the realities of change in Arab societies now through the eyes of Guardian journalists.
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