Search Results for: maalouf
Origins
Earlier in the week, when we were still living in 2008, I finished Amin Maalouf’s Origins: A Memoir about his paternal grandfather and great uncle. The book alternated between being fascinating and downright boring, depending whether the author’s tales were … Continue reading
Filed under Literature
Two More for the Road
I had already made my book and music online purchases for my trip back home when I realized that there were two other books that I had forgotten. One minor setback — that actually helps with my personal finance — … Continue reading
Filed under Digressions, Literature
The Crusades Through Arab Eyes
Right now I am reading Amin Maalouf’s The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, and although I thought it would be more entertaining, it is slower moving and denser than I had anticipated. Nevertheless, it is still rather fascinating, especially when viewed … Continue reading
Filed under Essays, Literature
The Heart Does Not Bend and Embers
I have just recently finished reading The Heart Does Not Bend by Makeda Silvera and Embers by Sándor Márai.
Filed under Essays, Literature
Much Ado About Nothing
I recently finished Special Topics in Calamity Physics and The Enchantress of Florence. Both had similar qualities and similar failings — the writing skills of the authors are undeniable, yet neither lead you anywhere interesting. At the end of the … Continue reading
Filed under Digressions, Literature
My Favorite Books of 2007
I was doing pretty well, at least until I discovered Podcasts, and then I pretty much stopped reading. I did begin Kurban Said‘s Ali and Nina which was incredibly promising, but I don’t think that my schedule until after the … Continue reading
Filed under Digressions, Literature
The Beautiful Sana’a
My friend Fadi has always introduced me to really fascinating stuff, like the works of Amin Maalouf, Carnet de Routes and Suite Africaine, Coltrane’s Olé, and one of my favorite novels of all time, Albert Cohen’s Belle du Seigneur. One … Continue reading
Filed under Digressions, Friends / Family
A Lovely Paseo
Today was another lovely day in Madrid. The sun was shining and there was a very light breeze. When the weather is nice in Madrid, the ideal Sunday is spent in the La Latina section of town where everyone meets … Continue reading
Filed under Digressions, Jazz
Gardens of Light
This weekend, I finished reading Amin Maalouf’s Gardens of Light, a historical novel that traces the life of Mani, a Third Century Persian prophet who preached what is today known as Manichaeism. With this book, I have completed reading all … Continue reading
Filed under Essays, Literature
Love and Affection
On this Saturday morning, I woke up at 8:30am, and while alternating between Amin Maalouf’s Rock of Tanois and writing in this wretched blog, I was reminded of a Saturday morning in November back in the 90s. It was a … Continue reading
Filed under Digressions
Grave Error 