tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post5838046477059863200..comments2023-08-10T04:03:44.387-04:00Comments on This Book and I Could Be Friends: "He alone would set their course for them, not the revolution, the times, or the rest of humanity."Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11058705381647529328noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post-33142722963328849362011-01-05T15:32:55.233-05:002011-01-05T15:32:55.233-05:00I just put up my thoughts on "Palace Walk&quo...I just put up my thoughts on "Palace Walk" yesterday and I have to admit you have articulated a lot better than me :-)! <br /><br />I would think that since this trilogy continues to take place for several years after, Al-Sayyid Ahmad will probably die eventually (I think he is one we all love to hate) but am curious whether Yassin (or even possibly one of his other sons) will just replace him as the "bad guy".<br /><br />I'm starting book two today, and looking forward to finding out whether things evolve at all for the females.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10401551604933163595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post-64300994052566713442010-12-29T18:51:47.164-05:002010-12-29T18:51:47.164-05:00Emily: Yes! And don't forget Yasin secretly ad...Emily: Yes! And don't forget Yasin secretly admiring the English as the epitome of manhood and civilization. <br /><br />Amy: Yeah, having to read the next book so soon doesn't thrill me either but I still am interested in seeing what happens now that someone's died. I also need to see some women's lib here.<br /><br />JoAnn: You've read the whole thing? Glad to hear things get better for the women!<br /><br />Sarah: The cat pic is a popular oldie from I Can Has Cheezburger. Google the phrase "what has been seen cannot be unseen" and you'll get options with other animals.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11058705381647529328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post-13000336011408189862010-12-29T10:45:03.322-05:002010-12-29T10:45:03.322-05:00Holy crap, that cat pic is awesome! I couldn't...Holy crap, that cat pic is awesome! I couldn't help feeling that al-Sayyid Ahmad's reaction to so many things was completely ridiculous, even given the time and place. His whole double personality was such a complex creation - kudos to Mahfouz for making him believable even though he boggles the mind...! You mentioned being both fascinated and repelled by the the portrayal of the culture, and that's what impressed me the most about Mahfouz's work - the fact that he kept me engaged even while so many details of the story infuriated me. Good stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post-61614020226817491142010-12-29T08:37:31.553-05:002010-12-29T08:37:31.553-05:00Your post reminded me how much I LOVED this trilog...Your post reminded me how much I LOVED this trilogy! It really opens your eyes to a different world...<br />There is some progress for the women in the next two books. I'll look forward to reading your thoughts.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post-36691987145299721022010-12-28T19:10:54.074-05:002010-12-28T19:10:54.074-05:00What a great and thorough review. I had the same f...What a great and thorough review. I had the same feeling as you that the first part was fairly dry but that the second half was more interesting and engaging because there was more happening. I'm not rushing out to purchase the next books, but am certainly planning on reading them at some point!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18102250492155489672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687975489922145220.post-63114341722504883422010-12-28T14:31:59.719-05:002010-12-28T14:31:59.719-05:00One thing that really struck me as that both the g...One thing that really struck me as that both the gender and occupation plotlines involve a characteristic conflation of love/admiration with fear and oppression. Like, the family members all "love" ("revere" might be a better word) the father, but that feeling is all tied up with their fear of him. Similarly Kamal feels the English are the epitome of manhood and civilization even as they're beating up his brothers and father. It's this mindset like "If they have the power to abuse me, they must be worthy of respect." Very disturbing!<br /><br />Anyway, I agree that the overall feeling at the end of this book is of impending/in-progress upheaval, so am curious to tackle the next two in the trilogy.Emilyhttp://www.eveningallafternoon.comnoreply@blogger.com