This was a book I received as an advanced reader copy from Librarything.com. It is a collection of short Stories. I have decided to review each one below. Overall I thought it was well written, and it was interesting to read the perspective of the Marrakech Muslims. I may not have alway understood all the nuances but I really enjoyed the new points of view. It was not what I thought it would be when I first picked it up, it was far less crime and more human condition stories. All of the stories rambled a bit and most of the authors didn't see to have a strong storyline to me. Often it felt that there were too many characters and no resolutions.
The Mysterious Painting by Found Laroui - This is a simple mystery, short and quick but well paced. I liked the way the chief followed they mystery.
A Noisy Disappearance in an Ill-Reputed Alley by Allal Bourqia - I totally missed the point of this story. I may have missed cultural cues.
Looking at Mars in Marrakech by Abdelkader Benali - So much ambiguity, and a sci-fy story was very unexpected.
Other Places by Mohamed Zouhair - This is a sad story of longing and loss. It also showed a man's view of a woman's perspective.
The Mummy in the Pasha's House by Mohamed Achaari - This story was too jumpy, it felt very disjointed to me.
A Way to Mecca by Hanane Derkaoui - This was the 1st female author in the collection, and she took on some subjects that were very suprising, and what I would have thought of as taboo: Homesexuality in Muslims. It was a very well written story. I found that it was interesting that it was a flip of Other Places with a woman who is writing a man's perspective.
The Secret in Fingertips by Fatiha Morchid - Another female writer, she is is also another very good writer. This is a story with lots of twists and turns, and a heart of gold.
Delirium by Mahi Binebine - This was a weird split personality story, and it made no sense to me. However the writing flowed very well.
In Search of a Son by Mohamed Nedali - I didn't understand the ending.
Mama Aicha by Halima Zine El Abidine - I think this was my favorite story, it was beautiful, heartwarming, and profound.
Frankenstein's Monster by My Seddik Rabbaj - Entertaining and full of superstition, no real point though.
An E-mail from the Sky by Yassin Adnan - I had problems jumping from perspective to perspective.
A Twisted Soul by Karima Nadir - Beautifully written and full of sadness.
Black Love by Taha Adnan - It was a little long and twisty, but in the end it tied up nicely.
A Person Fit for Murder by Lahcen Bakour - Finally a story like I thought this book would be. Muder and sadness!
