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meghaha's review against another edition
3.0
“In his head, of course, Salim had always known that a story needs at least two people in order to live, but only now did he feel this in his heart.”
Damascus Nights took me a terribly long time to read -- two months. I'm not quite sure how that happened. I think it's because of the structure of the book, as it was more like a series of short stories, so I didn't feel much urgency or a pull to return to it outside of the occasional spare moments.
This is a book about the art of storytelling, and of the nature of stories itself. Rafik Schami and his characters exude a love for it, for words and tales.
"Writing is not the voice's shadow but the tracks of its steps. Its only thanks to writing that we can listen to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians even today, that we can hear their voices as full of life as if they had just spoken. My friend, only writing has the power to move a voice through time, and make it as immortal as the gods."
I'm not so concerned about the achievement of immortality through writing. But what a wonder it always is to sit down and read something from another time and place. A transmission of thoughts and emotions from one mind to another. Sometimes you forget how special that is.
“I didn't know what a word was really worth until I traveled abroad and lost my voice. Words are invisible jewels; the only people who can see them are the ones who've lost them.”
I've felt this way.
This book made me curious about what it's like to be in the audience for a long oral story. Sit and listen. Meet someone who's actual profession is storyteller. The closest experience I have is audiobooks. But I suspect there's something different in the experience of listening to a tale that alters slightly each time the teller tells it, that is perhaps not written down but only in memory.
vicanax's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
krtlszlv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
maialunovis's review against another edition
4.0
Eine Freude, liest sich sehr gut und fühlt sich wie eine Erzählung an — in dem Sinne, dass es wirklich so wirkt, als ob jemand einem gegenüber sitzt und diese Geschichte erzählt.
hann_thea's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Eine liebevoll erzählte Hommage an die Tradition der 1001 Nacht.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 stars. I loved this book. Salim, a coachmen, who travels from Damascus to Beirut, tells stories to entertain his customers (and keep them coming back). He has lost his voice, and his friends, desperate to hear his golden voice again, do everything they can to bring his voice back. The story takes place in 1959, and the stories told give us a beautiful picture of Damascus. There are many stories within the main story, a little like the nested Russian dolls. Many have likened the book the Arabian Nights (and it certainly had the feel of it). I look forward to reading more of Schami's writing.
benee's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
annika2304's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
magratajostiernos's review
4.0
Me ha encantado, una de esas historias llenas de historias. Un homenaje al pueblo y la cultura árable cargada de dulzura y sencillez pero al mismo tiempo muestra discretamente la situación política y social de Siria en los años 50.
Muy recomendable si buscáis una lectura ligera pero evocadora.
Y oye, a lo tonto se ha convertido en una de las mejores lecturas que he hecho para este #marzoasiatico
Muy recomendable si buscáis una lectura ligera pero evocadora.
Y oye, a lo tonto se ha convertido en una de las mejores lecturas que he hecho para este #marzoasiatico