Reviews

Women of Algiers in Their Apartment by Assia Djebar

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lediamond4's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

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

4.0

Such an interesting book! The writing was just gorgeous and there was so much historical and cultural context within each story.

pogseu's review against another edition

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5.0

What a wonderful collection of short stories. I am ashamed to say this was the first book by Assia Djebar that I read, even though I sown at least three or four other titles...

I am so glad I read these stories back to back, because they truly fit together by giving us a beautiful overview of Algerian women past and present, and their sufferings. The French edition from this century has a short story that was written in 2001, so 21 years after the original publication of the book. This gave me an even stronger sense of connecting with present and past women, by learning about their experiences before independence, during the 7-year war of independence, and soon afterwards, 15 years later and finally, 40 years later.

It beautifully depicts women’s condition and what is in the end an endless repetition of oppression of women, before during and after the war, with a glimmer of hope for the emancipation of the new generations. But as Assia Djebar explains in the postface, whenever women gained in independence, new restrictions were applied and they were caged, controlled, dominated once more.

I don’t think I can do this beautiful book justice, unfortunately, as I feel very inadequate as I am writing this review. I don’t know how to convey the beauty of the language, which manages to convey without us feeling any pity, the harshness of the world for women we encounter in all these stories. Assia Djebar tells us of oppressed women and I feel like I’ve read a book about extremely strong women. I feel like I’ve opened a door into understanding a bit more the customs and thinking behind these customs in the Maghreb.

I will keep it on my list of books to reread. It deserves a second, maybe more in-depth reading (or understanding?!)

hannereads's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.25

catherinebergeron34's review against another edition

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emotional informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Dès que j'ai eu terminé le livre j'ai voulu le relire! Il semble avoir une profondeur au texte qui est inaccessible à la première lecture.

sammie0014's review

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4.0

The ambiguity of the Algerian culture was what made this book so interesting for me. We gain insight into a world we've only ever heard about. We see through the eyes of the oppressed, the silenced, the veiled. We see their triumphs, failures. Their suffering. Each short story was unique and provided a different viewpoint. I wouldn't say this book was fun to read, but it was educational and interesting. I found myself unable and unwilling to put it down. I felt compelled to keep reading until there was nothing left.

lmcdonnell's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

YAS YAS YAS ! Assia Djebar is always a slay in my book. My favorites were "Il n'y pas d'exil" and the Postface. What an incredible look into Algerian women's stories as well as art/theory surrounding the oriental gaze. Her writing is everything to me and love seeing the parallels to L'Amour, la fantasia. Djebar is one of the most skilled writers i've every read at writing the body -- également writing/showing/representing the female body and describing how writing is a corporeal act. Also love love love the (art) history lessons included. Can't wait to read more.