Reviews

We Wrote in Symbols: Lust and Erotica by Arab Women Writers by Selma Dabbagh

laylajude's review

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

inlaraland's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This is a collection of Arab literature from the past and present that focuses on love and desire. This book celebrates the works of Middle Eastern writers who articulate on the theme of lust through poetry and stories. This stories and poems deep into wild fantasies and unfurls the many layers that define intimacy. To me, this collection was a mixed bag as there were some poems and stories which I loved, while I thought others were okay. Regardless, this is a collection that pushes boundaries, expectations and stereotypes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

foulone's review

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

hibaslibrary's review

3.0

i would actually give it 3.5 stars

i finished it in a day, very easy & quick read. obviously the translations do not do the poems any justice but it feels nice to connect with arab female poets and finally hear about them; i never have heard we had so many.

mmis17's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

5.0

eleven_hummingbird's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A collection of poetry and prose spanning continents and millennium, from the sensual, to the fantastical, to the graphic and violent. Intimacy, desire, and sex are the rule, with tragedy, saphism, and, perhaps most especially, secrecy underlining many of these stories.  The wordplay throughout is wonderful, with several pieces much outshining the rest. 
I'd like the pieces to be dated in-text, but the book does include biographies on the authors at the rear.

perlaolmi's review

1.0

Had high expectations, turned out underwhelming.

svetyas4's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

chelseaatkins's review

adventurous lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

thatothernigeriangirl's review

adventurous informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This book is such a boundary pusher! Some of the entries didn’t bang like others; some were too abstract and tried “too hard” IMHO; but the ones that understood the assignment, UNDERSTOOD IT TO THE CORE!
I can’t wait to write a full review for this one