The Hakawati

This is the type of book I could pick up and read again and again. In fact, it inspired me to go out and get the full 3 volume set of 1,001 nights (incidentally, if you're in the US, you'll need to get this from Amazon.co.uk - here in the US, we only get the abbreviated version; you know us Americans, 30-second attention spans).The writing is incredible and evocative. I could hear the cries of the pigeons in the Pigeon Wars, and smell the coffee and tobacco in the Lebanese cafes (so much so that I've added Lebanon onto my list of places to go visit and explore).If you enjoy stories within stories, The Hakawati does not disappoint. If you like your stories one at a time with a straightforward linear progression - there are a lot of other choices out there.But for me, I'd love to be able to be with the grandfather, sitting in a small cafe, hushed, listening to the Hakawati, watching his hands and his eyes as he begins, "Listen and I will tell you the story of...."

This is a book of genius. In a strange parable of times, The Hakawati takes you through 3 generations of a Lebanese family, from the grandfather's armenian origins to the narrator, the grandson's return from the US. The narrator himself is quite bland, without much personality, and much of the story is about the grandfather, father, and many other characters that make up the amazing mixture of backgrounds, cultures, beliefs that make up Lebanon, pre/post war. Their stories are told as it is, including their relationships, decisions, divisions. Sexuality is in the open, where struggles with lovers, and the understanding of homosexuality in a society unwilling to embrace it, but accepting nonetheless. There was also a moment where the son appears to be ? turned on, by his cousin? which was a bit odd, but with the author's background understandable that he would like to bring that in his main character. In between the real life drama, we hear the stories of the Hakawati, an orater or story teller, from the days before radio and tV, when ppl would listen to a story, and the best "hakawati" would be the one who could entrance the listener, and make the stories last the longest. The stories themselves are bizarre. A mixture of R-rated "a thousand nights", to oedipal fantasies, to downright blasphemy. Sexual inferences in the stories are simply grotesque, and downright disgusting. The Machiavellian imagery of satan and the imps, named after prophets, are present throughout the book, distorting Shia, Suffi, Sunni, Druze, Christian, Jewish, and other beliefs, in a blatant arrogance, and would offend any religious reader. I had trouble understanding why the author felt it necessary to go to such an extreme. The story without such imagery in my opinion was enough, and had enough of drama. The story of Bebars was ok. The hakawati ending was awkward in my opinion, with the son beginning to speak the stories of the hakawati, which seemed out of character. A fascinating read, overall.

This is my first book written by a Lebanese author and i truly enjoyed it.the vocabulary is reach, yet easy to understand even for non native speaker. I especially liked multiple story line that, while might not have much in common, make perfect sense collectively to the storyline of the book.

For those who seek to understand the bonds in famililes, this book is a find. There is nothing heroic or unusual about this family, their happenings and trials are the stuff of common lives. The portrait is honest and emotionally deep.Layered onto the story of this multigeneration family are the wild fables of Lebanon. In one moment you want to hear what happens to the family, the next you are totally absorbed in some wild tale. Tales emerge within tales to our delight.I haven't enjoyed a book this much in ages.

After reading several reviews about this book I was interested in reading a book that would be complicated, full of language, and that would hopefully provide insight into the recent history of Lebanon. I was facinated by the story of the modern Lebanese family and the interweaving of the stories about the Jinn and Barbesh but it quickly became too many names and too many switches from the modern family to the tales being woven into the story. I would have liked more about the modern family, particularly the partiarch, who was such an intersting central figure in the story. I was bored with the story of the Jinn while equally interested in the story of Barbesh (a historical figure) and the modern Lebanese family. If those two stories alone had been interwoven I probably would have read this in one sitting. Perhaps if I had a better understanding of the meaning behind the Jinn story it might make more sense but I think even if all I was hearing was the Jinn story I wouldn't like it. All said, I did like the way the stories were woven to expose their parallels. The ending was also very emotional and fitting given the meaning behind the title.

I REALLY like this book, but it may not be for every reader. It is a kind of tapestry of stories. I taught it, and some students found it hard to read and to follow. I think you just have to go with the narrative and enjoy it. It is profound, as well, dealing with the Lebanese diaspora to America and what the Lebanese Civil War created in terms of exile and depression. It's really amazing.

my husband said it's kinda gay and he loves it. beautiful story and I am glad I could get him s gift he likes. good quality and I love it

Great storytelling, weaving stories from different times and different world, some heartbreaking, some funny. Highly recommended book

I am looking forward to reading this book.

This is a wonderful book which will take you on many different journeys in many different (magical) times with vibrant, life-like characters.

I love the book !