Customer Reviews

So Vast the Prison: A Novel

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

 

 

I read the book without knowing what the subject would be. I was happy to find the same style Assia Djebar has acustomed us with. True I didn't see myself in the main character but I could see Algerian women of pre and post-revolution, mostly the city women. I don't think that this book gives a picture of another culture like the previous previewer was hoping to find. Also, the book was translated from French. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about an Algeria that is not darkened by the stereotype of today, fundamentalist, terrorist...

A somewhat difficult book to read, unless one is familiar with the French post-modernist style (Derrida, Cixous) however well worth the effort. This is an ambitious book that explores the power-relationships between men and women, husbands and wives, colonists and colonized, French and Arabs, Arabs and Berbers as well as the power implicit within spoken and written language, using a poetic, somewhat cinematic style (Djebar is also a film-maker)that meanders between what is apparently a semi-autobiographical narrative and (somewhat)straightforward historical writing, focusing on both modern and ancient Algeria.
This is not a book that one can skim through and still understand: however the end result is insightful and haunting and leaves one wishing for more.

This is one of my favorite books but it is a difficult read on many levels. As if translations don't make things hard enough, this book is written in a braided format, and the reader's understanding depends heavily on his knowledge of the history/culture represented, and on his understanding of literary technique. Do the research required, and remember that the beauty of the work shows best when you take a step back. You cannot see or understand the power of each detail with your nose buried in one segment.
The fact that many do not understand this book seems a perfect representation of the fear Djebar so passionately expresses throughout the novel; the fear that her words, her very identity (and the cultural identity on a grander scale) will be misunderstood, misconstrued, and will fall dead on the pages.

I have mixed feelings about So Vast the Prison. Some of it is speedy, compelling reading and some is obfuscating malarkey. I find it difficult to decipher exactly what her objective is and I was never convinced that she herself knew. As someone interested in the varied culture of the Middle East, I did not regret the few hours I spent reading it, but I'm sure there is much better material out there.

I started reading this book with the expectation that I would learn about women in a culture totally different than mine. Instead, I read the story of a lusty, rich, worldly woman with no sense of morality. Then it gets incredibly dry as the author launches into a historical story from the middle ages. Very boring, and I heartily do NOT recommend this book.

This book is a waste of paper. It is extremely hard to follow and it actually puts me to sleep when I read it.

So vast the Prison is indeed just that: a prison! the writing is so boring and confining. this book however does act as a great sleep aid, everytime i just held the book i fell asleep! save your money, but more importantly your valuable time; no one really cares about this topic anyway.