Mohammad Rabie

I'm catching up on books I wanted to say something about, and this one is probably the hardest one to speak about. First and foremost, this is not for everyone. It is far and away one of the most brutal books I've encountered. Rabie takes you to hell but doesn't necessarily take you back. That you have to do on your own.

It is apocalyptic, it is apoplectic, it is bleak, it is political, it is judgmental--and yes, it's passing judgement on you. It's also important. Taking place in a near-future Cairo, I'm sure many of the nuances of that regions history and the cultural references went over my head. However, the call out to where humanity is potentially headed was not. Nor did it ever feel gratuitous; in fact, some of the events are straight from massacres that were committed a decade ago during the Arab Spring pro-democracy uprisings.

It is a meditation and a revelation on revolution and history cratering in on itself, even as far back at AH 455 (1063 AD). What shapes us? How does memory serve us or are we compelled to forget, not to care? Is death the only safety? Is it any sort of safety? What of love? What of beauty? Are individuals the problem or only when formed as societies?

Today I learned about slow loris, the only known venomous primate. Scientists have recently determined that they mainly use their venom against their own kind, not other species or predators. They're apparently quite territorial. Humans are a kind of slow loris too, inflicting violence and suffering on one another since the dawn of time. Though not everywhere and not all the time. Which means these are just our natural tendencies.

Don't count on technology or visionaries or religion or movements from the left or the right or a gender or genderless society to save you. Maybe there is no saving anyone. Or maybe you just need to pay attention. Learn from what you see. Try to reap something different from what's coming your way. Or least try to make peace with it because maybe redemption is just a reggae song.… (mer)

Otared is an investigation into Egypt's future based in the values and cyclicality of the 2011 Arab Spring Revolution. It is important to note the political and sociological experimentation of the novel, since regardless of whatever organizations are created in the future, it is nigh impossible for Malta to invade Egypt. Many of the plot points are symbolic or for the purpose of constructing the author's message, rather than for actual prediction. Overall, though the narrative is jumbled and confusing at times, the theme and message is accessible to audiences. A strong book book with an interesting parable and message.… (mer)