Damascus Nights

By Rafik Schami

Book Overview

Rafik Schami's award-winning novel. In the classical Arab tradition of tale-telling, here is a magical book that celebrates the power of storytelling, delightfully transformed for modern sensibilities by an award-winning author. The time is present-day Damascus, and Salim the coachman, the city's most famous storyteller, is mysteriously struck dumb. To break the spell, seven friends gather for seven nights to present Salim with seven wondrous "gifts"--seven stories of their own design. Upon this enchanting frame of tales told in the fragrant Arabian night, the words of the past grow fainter, as ancient customs are yielding to modern turmoil. While the hairdresser, the teacher, the wife of the locksmith sip their tea and pass the water pipe, they swap stories about the magical and the mundane: about djinnis and princesses, about contemporary politics and the difficulties of bargaining in a New York department store. And as one tale leads to another... and another... all of Damascus appears before your eyes, along with a vision of storytelling--and talk--as the essence of friendship, of community, of life. A sly and graceful work, a delight to readers young and old, Damascus Nights is, according to Publishers Weekly, "a highly atmospheric, pungent narrative."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566568315
• ISBN13: 9781566568319
• Release Date: August 2014
• Publisher: Interlink Books
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Lush, beautiful immersion into storytelling

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.

A book for all ages

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!

A wonderful book

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

a cpativating book

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

A delightful and enchanting read.

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