Mohammed MrabetRezensionen

Abdeslam, "Lemon" leaves his family after a new teacher arrives at his school. The bright and rebellious youth finds a home with Bachir, a dock worker, Bachir drinks alcohol and frequents prostitutes. The writing at the beginning of the book is choppy with many short sentences, as Abdeslam matures so does the writing. Overall an interesting look at how a child sees the conflicts between Western and Islamic cultures.

Abdeslam è un ragazzo senza casa che impara la vita per le strade di Tangeri. I vicoli, II mercato, il porto sono la sua scuola; Nei bassifondi, nei caffe' e infine in prigione trova il confronto con l'umanità. Depravazione, ignoranza, violenza lo circondano ma non per questo intende negare a se stesso un po' d'amore. Il breve romanzo è frutto di una narrazione del marocchino Mohammed Mrabet che Paul Bowles ha tradotto.

The Lemon by Mohammed Mrabet
The story of a young, run-away boy who falls in with bad company, told in a simple, mesmerizing style. The dialogue is especially entertaining, the boy, Abdeslam, is ruthlessly honest to the low-lifes around him. Translated by Paul Bowles.

Great collection of short stories. Some funny, some insightful all contain referernces to Kief.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kief

Fascinating and disturbing. A great intro to North African fiction, especially for the many colonial and gender issues explored from a young boy's perspective. The protagonist also has a very strange relationship with his faith.

See also Mrabet's short story, "The Boy Who Set the Fire."

Students in my undergrad Middle East Literture class found the title story very engaging. They read it alongside a selection from Frantz Fanon's Wretched of the Earth. As a result, some came to see it as a comment on the colonial experience; a child grows up lied to, never knowing his real father (his heritage thus kept from him) and eventually revolts. We had a great discussion (which they generated and sustained) over whether or not the boy's anger was justified, and whether the boy or the adults were more responsible for the outcome. Their reactions were strong, and mixed. I'd definitely use it again.

Note: Mrabet shows up briefly in the Bowles documentary "Let It Come Down." Kif use is mentioned.

***** This is the true first American edition, first printing (with "123456789" stated on the copyright page). ***** This book is SIGNED by Paul Bowles on the title page. Mr. Bowles did not inscribe this book to anyone; it is just signed by him. ***** Very nice hardcover with dust jacket. There is NO writing, NO bookplates, and NO remainder marks. It is NOT a book club edition and NOT a former library book. The dust jacket is NOT price-clipped ($5.95). CONDITION: Both the book and dust jacket are in FINE condition. We include new mylar (clear) dust jacket protectors with all books at no charge. ***** OUR GUARANTEE TO YOU: All books are guaranteed to be as described. We believe that no sale is complete until you are happy. Any book is returnable for a full refund (including postage) if you're not 100% satisfied. All books are packaged very carefully and shipped via USPS Mail with Delivery Confirmation. Thank you! Richard Vick, Modern First Editions (Buying and Selling Modern First Editions since 1982). Bookseller Inventory # 1628