Overview

Seven short stories by Dr. Al Atrash about the plight of Syrian women, all different, in all walks of life, whether in the homeland or abroad, interspersed with well-known Middle Eastern poetry and songs. A reflection of life in Syria, with light shed on aspects of the culture, people's names, and Arabic and Persian words. The writing shows inter-connectedness, extended families and a network of caring, among persons of various faiths. Fictional portraits, but infused with realism and true to life. Memories of childhood, forbidden love, motherhood, disappointment, self-discovery and more. An exploration of the Syrian homeland through its women. Short, simple and appealing writing that touches on delicate issues.

Full Product Details

9781927032992

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Reviews

This book struck me from the first pages as inspiringly innovative, creative, gorgeous poetry and prose, with gripping images and stories of recent Syrian refugee experiences. Its a unique approach to historical fiction that gives broad, deep, poetic, brief images of individual lives. One aspect of the book that I loved is its light non-intrusive though insistent education of the reader in Syrian culture and language! One of the best books I've read in a decade. --Amazon, November 2016 I truly loved it...through tears and heart-wrenching breathlessness...mixed with soaring love-filled emotions...I read and read, and your moving words are now inside of me forever. --Goodreads September 2016 Rather than the inhumanity and the brutality of war here we have a 7 beautiful short stories, each intertwined with wonderful poetry, that give us a glimpse into the lives of 7 ordinary women of Syrian heritage, some in Syria some not. This collection of stories, each different but each in its own way deeply touching serves to show us that even in such difficult times we are all still human with all of the complexity that that involves and Ghada Alatrash's women all deal with life in strong, humane and fundamentally female ways. ... In all of the mayhem of Syria this is a deeply uplifting work. --Library Thing October 2016 I haven't read something this good in a while. --thebookinshwonderland 2016 Ghada Alatrash writes with finesse and the most enthralling quality of her writing lies in the fact that it is full of passion and love for her home country, Syria. She speaks of Syria as the ancient land, which for ages, has been known for its culture and generosity. ... What I also liked about the book was the Alatrash's tendency to impart knowledge wherever she could. Almost throughout the entire book, she has tried to explain the meanings of relevant Arabic and Persian words. She has also strived to highlight the culture of which she is so proud. Ghada has included poetry from some of her favourite Syrian poets and interspersed that with her lovely fiction writing. The resulting effect is purely intoxicating. ""Stripped to the Bone"", I believe, is a very successful attempt to bring the reader to a closer understanding of Syrian people and their culture. The book is also informative. I came to know many interesting facts about the Syrian history. Overall, the book is indeed a charming one and thus comes as a highly recommended read from me. I end this review by rating this book four out of five stars and with hopes of reading many more such beautiful works in future. --Bookgeeks.in

Author Information

Dr. Al Atrash is Assistant Professor at the School of Critical and Creative Studies at Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary. Ghada's pedagogy and research are grounded in anti-orientalist, anti-colonial, anti-racism, and feminist frameworks that interrogate and challenge Western hegemonic narratives through an intersectional, transnational, post-colonial lens. Her current research speaks to Syrian art and creative expression.

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