The Stone of Laughter: A Novel (Emerging Voices. New International Fiction)

Rating:
Summary: One of the most powerful war novels i ever read
Review: I'm thrilled to see the 'emerging voices' series on Amazon. Wonderful!.

This book is one of the powerful, poignant books I have ever read about wars (and I've read a great deal). It tackles the deeper issues of violence -- how does the soul feel when confronted with violence, mindless violence, on a daily basis? how do people react? what happens to one's sensitivity? one's ability for honest laughter? one's interactions with others?

Hoda Barakat delves into those issues - and does so courageously and poetically. She also presents them through the eyes of a homosexual man. Quite powerful!.

Highly recommended - to Lebanese, to Arabs, and to all people interested in examining the effects of war and violence on every-day people.

- Rania (a Lebanese-American)

Rating:
Summary: One of the most powerful war novels i ever read
Review: I'm thrilled to see the 'emerging voices' series on Amazon. Wonderful!.

This book is one of the powerful, poignant books I have ever read about wars (and I've read a great deal). It tackles the deeper issues of violence -- how does the soul feel when confronted with violence, mindless violence, on a daily basis? how do people react? what happens to one's sensitivity? one's ability for honest laughter? one's interactions with others?

Hoda Barakat delves into those issues - and does so courageously and poetically. She also presents them through the eyes of a homosexual man. Quite powerful!.

Highly recommended - to Lebanese, to Arabs, and to all people interested in examining the effects of war and violence on every-day people.

- Rania (a Lebanese-American)

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful story with feelings
Review: This book takes you away into a whole new world. But on close examination, you realise that it is your world.

Great fun to read in the sun.

Rating:
Summary: A New Classic
Review: What a brave author, tackling two controversial subjects in one single masterfully-written novel. Did I read it, dream it or live it?