Sophist Posted April 10, 2004 Captivated through out the read; my eyes glued to every single line, each with its distinct power to allure the reader to what will come next. Links is not a book that is just written for pleasure reading- although decidedly that is something the reader will spew from it- it is a book that challenges the contemporary notions of nationality, boundaries and what it means to belong to a country; even more; that metaphysical question of what MAKES WHO WE ARE. The book is set in Mogadiscio (Mogadishu the capital city of Somalia). A city that is a bolt from the blue alien at same time movingly proverbial to Mr Jeeble; the main protagonist in the story. Jeeble an educated urbane who had been enjoying the decadent life style of the middle classes in New York arrives Mogadishu; a city that can be described with at ease parsimonious. His last memory of this place was when he was in jail thus no wistful sentiment to the city one might suppose. His return is nothing sort of holiday or self-finding mission; but merely to visit his mother's grave and to deal with that little fortunes or misfortune she had left behind. But Mogadiciso is not the same city he last seen. This is a city run by war barons; tribal rivalry is rife; the status of the city is something worst than Greek tragedy. The lawlessness is something the modern minds can not imagine. Perhaps predictably, Jeeble becomes lost in the midst of this quagmire. To his fretfulness, he becomes involved in the rescue of his virtual brother's daughter—a family friend whom he had close relations with before he departed to States. Words can not describe the intensity of this book, the flowery language it is written and the anthropological modern question it deals with predisposes this book to be something of modern classic-- like Ulyses but not as abstract. It is must read book for the intelligently curious minds. Farah has given us a book to wonder about. With assurance this emphasises his standing within the International Literati—Links may even escort him to the much desired and deserved Noble Prize of Literature. Nabad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhiL Posted April 12, 2004 Thanks for the suggestion of a wonderful read. But i was wondering what else do you suggest for someone who wants to get familar with somali writers. I think i've read just about every book written by Nuradiin Farah! Love the man... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sophist Posted April 12, 2004 He is the only Somali writer I have become accustomed to his writing. So, sorry mate, no help here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macalin Posted April 12, 2004 It is must read book for the intelligently curious minds ......Sir, How about The Curious Yet Not so inteligent? Laakin, Its Either You have worded the sum of the book well and or its an interesting book to Read..Koleeybo am curious to read it, parhaps not so inteligently tho' Mahadsanid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pacifist Posted April 12, 2004 I have read his book Maps and inshallah he is doing a book signing next week and i am excited to meet and chat with him. I heard he is being nomined for nobel prize. I hope he wins he deserves it. Thanks Also another recommendation is ... The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho this book is like no other. Its about following your dreams. The story is about the magical story of Santiago and andulusian shepherd boy who travels in search of a worldly treasure. From his home in spain he journeys to the market of Tangiers and across the the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the Alchemist. The story of the treasures of Santiago finds along the way teaches as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read omens strewn along the lifes path and above all following our dreams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sophist Posted April 12, 2004 Lakkad don't knock yourself mate! Tell me what you think of it when you finish the reading. I am sure we can "intelligently" compare notes Cheerio Sophist Nabad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Narcissistic-Sister Posted April 12, 2004 Hasnah..cool suggestion sis! This neonate will try! <-- Princess in pink Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xaawo_Xaaji Posted April 12, 2004 Surely nothing short of delightful....I'm not finished but i know this books keeps getting better and better especially for those who have lived away from home for some time... AnyHow if u did not know....the novelist himself is visiting the Twin Cities for a short time!....he'll be reading from his new novel Links at the places indicated below...(attached is a lil intro provided by Charlie Sugnet of the English Department at the University of Minnesota-TC) HOpe to see u all there... Somali novelist Nuruddin Farah will be in the Twin Cities on April 20 and 21 to read from his newly published novel, LINKS. The novel is narrated by a Somali who has been living in New York and returns to Mogadishu not long after the "Black Hawk Down" incident to pay respects at his mother's grave, and to to help find a charismatic young girl who has been kidnapped. LINKS has all the page-turning interest of previous Farah political thrillers such as his SWEET AND SOUR MILK, and has much of current relevance to tell us about how it feels to be occupied by American troops. Farah was awarded the prestigious Neustadt Prize in 1998 for his first trilogy of novels on dictatorship andfor the second trilogy called "Blood in the Sun" (including MAPS, in my opinion one of the two or three best African novels ever). He has also published a nonfiction book on the Somali diaspora, YESTERDAY . . . .TOMORROW. Dates and times of his appearances are pasted below. NURUDDIN FARAH APPEARANCES OF APRIL 20 AND 21: LOFT LITERARY CENTER at 7:00 PM on April 20 The Marshall Field's Performance Hall Open Book 1001 Washington Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55415 RUMINATOR BOOKSTORE at 8:15 PM on April 21 1648 Grand Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhiL Posted April 14, 2004 Oh Lucky you Xaawo Xaaj...you're gonna meet the Big man on campus...oh some folkz just have all the luck. Nothing special ever happens in Australia I'd be so completly speechless, and probably mutter something incomprehensible to him. P.S Sophist > Surely there must be other somali authors out there besides Farah. Surely... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baadiya_gurl Posted April 16, 2004 quote from sophist --------------------------------- (Captivated through out the read; my eyes glued to every single line, each with its distinct power to allure the reader to what will come next. Links is not a book that is just written for pleasure reading- although decidedly that is something the reader will spew from it- it is a book that challenges the contemporary notions of nationality, boundaries and what it means to belong to a country; even more; that metaphysical question of what MAKES WHO WE ARE.) -------------------------------------------------- interesting. are you a book reviewer yourself?(professionally that is). i have not read the book in question nor have scant clue of its author yet i somehow feel complel to extend my interest for which i may or perhaps should merely out of its relations to my dear land. i'd appreciate more info about the author and the title of this particular book. mahadsanid! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sophist Posted April 19, 2004 Badiye Girl, Walaal I am not, I am student by profession--something I enjoy doing tremendously though I have to bare all the joys (or burdens for some) married life compells us to . His info can be found on the internet. You can find it some of his info here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baadiya_gurl Posted April 20, 2004 sophist, thanks for the link. looks quite informative. i must have overlooked it the last time i was here for i have mentioned my disappointments in you for not providing this info in another post so forgive me walaal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Libaax-Sankataabte Posted April 21, 2004 Sophist here is an audio review for Links from NPR (National Public Radio). Click on the audio link after the page opens. http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1844730 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
