_The Bamboo Stalk_ by Saud Al Sanousi
The October Book Club for AWN is this book. We meet next week to talk about it, but I thought I would go ahead and write about it here now that it is fresh in my mind.
Unlike last month’s title, this one was so easy to read and quite enjoyable.
Although not exactly another uplifting story (what is with the selections???), it was closer to home for me and had loads of interesting social questions.
The story is told by the son of a Kuwaiti father and Filipina mother. His mother had gone to Kuwait to work as a maid in a well-t0-do Kuwaiti family. The only son of the family was a writer and different from most sons of an Arab family. He seemingly falls in love with the Filipina maid who has come to make money for her family back home. When she ends up pregnant, the family does not approve and sends her away back to the Philippines. The son, who is half Kuwaiti, half Filipino, struggles with his identity and place in the world. Unfortunately, poor Jose looks more Filipino than Kuwaiti and thus is not likely to be accepted into the Kuwaiti community. His biologically family takes him in for a short period of time, but does not fully incorporate him into the family for various reasons – mostly ‘to save face’.
It is a very interesting story that is written well enough to draw out emotional responses. It is a greatly written piece of work, but I found myself feeling his pain and considering my own identity throughout. I also wondered at the plight of the many Filipinos who live and work around the world because they make more money outside of their country than within it. I wonder how many true stories are like this one. I also wonder at the author and how much is true from his own experience and knowledge.
So, it should hopefully draw up some interesting conversation at the next meeting next week. Will try to update on that afterwards! π
~T π
