Customer Reviews

Damascus Nights

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received this book as a gift from a german friend living in the Us. She had recieved it as a gift (The german edition) from her sister living in Germany. I have since given several copies of it as gifts. A great story good for children of all ages 4-94 y/o

Damascus nights is indeed written like a delightful story based on the ancient 1001 nights. There are however some dark under-currents and echoes of other important pieces of literature. Do you not hear the echoes of other horsemen, of the darkness of the Apocalypse in the distance? Like Gullivers Travels this book can be read on so many levels. Enjoy it!

I loved this book. It kept me engaged from start to end - it was so delightful. This is for all ages.

I adore this book. I've been buying up copies to give away to friends ever since I first read it.

My husband and I read this book while touring Syria. It was the perfect accompanyment. It casts a humorous, gentle, but not uncritical eye on the culture of this region, and--though not a political novel--places its story against the background of the coups and counter-coups leading up to the Assad regime. Highly recommended!

I would agree with the earlier reviews, that this is an engaging, well-wrought tale that will appeal to all readers. For years, I have taught an interdisciplinary course on modern world history / literature, and thought this an excellent introductory novel, on par with the work like Mahfouz's Children of the Alley. It is engaging, sophisticated, and deceptively simple.

I can only imagine that this novel was mis-marketed to either a young-adult audience, or as a modernized Arabian Nights (at least the later makes sense). Why, why, why is this out of print? Given the geo-political events of our century, this book would be taught in schools, were it available.

PJE
English Teacher, New Trier High School

This book is an engaging read, and can be read as a collection of tales wrapped in another tale, perhaps a modern take of 1001 Arabian Nights. The main thrust of the tale concerns an old coach driver who has apparently been struck dumb and who, with the help of his friends, must figure out how to regain his speech before he will lose the power of words forever. At the same time, it is as much a story of Damascus in (I think) the 1950s, when it is becoming modern and how the main character and his elderly friends deal with the changes around them. But ultimately, it is about their stories: some fantastical, some very down to earth, one which sounds normal to us but is too fantastical to be believed by his friends.

A really rewarding book to read, I always feel energized reading this book. Storytellers, aspiring storytellers, and all those who love to hear and tell stories should read this book.

My husband and I read this book while touring Syria. It was the perfect accompanyment. It casts a humorous, gentle, but not uncritical eye on the culture of this region, and--though not a political novel--places its story against the background of the coups and counter-coups leading up to the Assad regime. Highly recommended!