Short Stories about Syrian Women

Some time ago - but not too far away - when I was having some relationship doubts - as in relationship-the concept, not the relationship with someone - I met a woman originally from Syria who opened my eyes wide about a couple of couple dynamics I ignored my whole life. I still cherish her kind words and good inspiration. Thus, I was curious to read the two collections of short stories built around Syrian women wrote by Anna Halabi. 

Anna Halabi - most probably a pseudonym - was born and raised in Aleppo and is living since 1999 in Europe and currently in Germany. Inspired by her friends, relatives and acquaintances, she developed - sometimes admirably - women characters of an open humanity. 

What I particularly loved about those stories is that it shows women as they really can be: sometimes compassionate, sometimes cruel against each other, jealous, greedy and generous. They can betray their husband, long for more (jewellery) or conspire with other women to leave or change their men. 

It is a passionate, funny ready, told at the pace of an old tale. The endings are always surprising and the character development follows into the smallest detail various personal threats and emotional stories. 

If the first book had as characters brides, brides to be or in waiting, the sequel - Syrian Wives - has to do with women experienced in family and couple life. The challenges are bigger and so are their reactions and planning. 

At certain extent, I´ve found the stories in this volume less attractive in terms of plot construction as the first ones, but maybe it´s also because I´ve read them one after the other and the first strong pleasant impressions after my first encounter with this writer were still strong. 

Also, it may be that wives, in general, do have less space of manoevre in their everyday life and therefore, reifying them is a more complex attempt. How one can be made a realistic spontaneous woman character who in fact has so many daily obligations and limitations to deal with?

A plus feature of this sequel is the local ambiance, reminder of an Aleppo that most probably is right now just a memory. The food references are more than delicious as a reminder of the savour of the Syrian kitchen.

I just wish there are more short stories featuring women from the Middle East, in a realistic depiction, without the usual either patronizing or manipulative victimizing way. 

Rating: 3.5-4 stars