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tsukibayani's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0
afrathefish's review
4.0
one of his later works, and it’s insane to me that this is considered some of his weaker works. i do agree that some of the latter poems in this collection did tend to go on for quite a lot longer than my little adhd brain could manage at times but nonetheless.
it’s of no surprise to say that darwish’s writing is spellbinding, and hauntingly gorgeous. i’ve now made it a strong goal of mine to learn arabic, so that i may one day be able to appreciate the wonders and the genius of his work in its original form. it was especially hard reading the poems about occupation, as they evoke such strong emotion of the experience, and knowing what is happening now felt too much for my heart. so many quotes from here are engraved in my heart, with the most prominent being “love is not love / but a soul’s lust for flight” and actually i’ve never seen the feeling of love contained in so few words yet hitting the nail exactly on the head. the poem “counterpoint” was also a particular favourite, with such beautiful descriptions of identity and the diaspora experience, especially from the view of a man native to his land. he also articulates heartbreak really well, and it feels like a double sucker punch knowing who his muse probably was. there were also so many distinctly palestinians references in this book that it baffles me that people genuinely believe that palestine was an invention by the arabs so that they wouldn’t have to forfeit land to the british. the arabic language has an upward total of 12 million words, and it’s clear darwish had the knack of employing each word like that of an artist on a canvas - his command of the language must have been exemplary, considering how hard-hitting the poems are even after translation.
all in all, very sexy introduction to darwish’s work. i’m so excited to work through the rest, but i think i’ll take my time.
also this man was very much a boob man. i respect it .
it’s of no surprise to say that darwish’s writing is spellbinding, and hauntingly gorgeous. i’ve now made it a strong goal of mine to learn arabic, so that i may one day be able to appreciate the wonders and the genius of his work in its original form. it was especially hard reading the poems about occupation, as they evoke such strong emotion of the experience, and knowing what is happening now felt too much for my heart. so many quotes from here are engraved in my heart, with the most prominent being “love is not love / but a soul’s lust for flight” and actually i’ve never seen the feeling of love contained in so few words yet hitting the nail exactly on the head. the poem “counterpoint” was also a particular favourite, with such beautiful descriptions of identity and the diaspora experience, especially from the view of a man native to his land. he also articulates heartbreak really well, and it feels like a double sucker punch knowing who his muse probably was. there were also so many distinctly palestinians references in this book that it baffles me that people genuinely believe that palestine was an invention by the arabs so that they wouldn’t have to forfeit land to the british. the arabic language has an upward total of 12 million words, and it’s clear darwish had the knack of employing each word like that of an artist on a canvas - his command of the language must have been exemplary, considering how hard-hitting the poems are even after translation.
all in all, very sexy introduction to darwish’s work. i’m so excited to work through the rest, but i think i’ll take my time.
also this man was very much a boob man. i respect it .
isabellita's review
3.0
Maybe I wasn't in the right mood, but this poetry collection did not really speak to me.
Nice prose, touching subject, nice words about exile.
Nice prose, touching subject, nice words about exile.
wothayah's review
4.0
The writing is absolutely divine. The way the poetic lines blend together and weave a never-ending seamless emotion blanket every time I read Darwish's work leaves me speechless. He writes about love, war, seasons, emotion and the world as though he was born to do exactly that.
I refuse to give comprehensive reviews in fear of producing a travesty.
I refuse to give comprehensive reviews in fear of producing a travesty.
wothaya's review
4.0
The writing is absolutely divine. The way the poetic lines blend together and weave a never-ending seamless emotion blanket every time I read Darwish's work leaves me speechless. He writes about love, war, seasons, emotion and the world as though he was born to do exactly that.
I refuse to give comprehensive reviews in fear of producing a travesty.
I refuse to give comprehensive reviews in fear of producing a travesty.
radahldo's review
5.0
As typical for this stage of his work, a strong theme of death alongside a meditation on 'who' is dying runs through this work.
Frequently Darwish writes from multiple perspectives without clarification. It is a beautiful effect of how our minds work in states of agitation that reminds me of a Schopenhauer quote: "It is like a kaleidoscope, which at every turn shows a new figure, while at the same thing before our eyes"
The poems are strong all the way through the book and leaves an impression.
"I walk slowly by myself
and my shadow follows me, and I, it.
Nothing brings me back.
Nothing brings it back.
As if a part of me were departing,
anxious for tomorrow.
Do not wait for anyone.
Do not wait for me"
Frequently Darwish writes from multiple perspectives without clarification. It is a beautiful effect of how our minds work in states of agitation that reminds me of a Schopenhauer quote: "It is like a kaleidoscope, which at every turn shows a new figure, while at the same thing before our eyes"
The poems are strong all the way through the book and leaves an impression.
"I walk slowly by myself
and my shadow follows me, and I, it.
Nothing brings me back.
Nothing brings it back.
As if a part of me were departing,
anxious for tomorrow.
Do not wait for anyone.
Do not wait for me"