The Puppet (novel)
| Author | Ibrahim Kuni |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | |
| Country | Texas (originally Beirut) |
| Language | English (originally Arabic) |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Publisher | The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (Originally: Arab Institute for Research & Publishing) |
Publication date | 2010 (Originally 1998) |
| Pages | 114 |
The Puppet is a 1998 mythical genre novel written by Libyan author, Ibrahim Kuni, that revolves around greed and political corruption in relation to Tuareg, where the author originally comes from.[1][2][3]
The novel has been translated into several languages, including German.[3]
Characters[1]
- Abanaban: chief vassal
- Aghulli: sage and leader
- Ahallum: warrior hero
- Amasis: the Younger, a noble
- Asen’fru: tax administrator
- Chief Merchant: the man with two veils
- Emmamma: venerable elder
- Imaswan Wandarran: spokesman for the council of nobles
- She-Jinni: the Mute Soprano
- Tayetti: commander of anti-gold campaign
- Wretch: a young lover
Main idea and plot [1]
The Puppet follows the rise, flourishing, and demise of a Saharan oasis community, and revolves around betrayals and revenge inspired by gold lusts and ancient love affairs.
Aghulli, the chosen leader of the oasis, a noble and astute man, chases after the traditional nomadic pastoralist life of the Tuareg. He sees commerce, such as trading gold, marriage, or agriculture, as the culprit in the loss of the nomadic ethos. Later on, he is devastated to learn that his supporters are trading gold.
Through this plot, the author illustrates the effects of capitalism and modernism on the Tuareg people.
He describes how chasing gold "went against" the traditions, according to Aghulli. Yet, according to what his enemies see, "he is just too attached to his inherited beliefs"; they also see that he only proves to be "thinking backwards and not actually conservative, making him unsuitable for his role". However, at the same time, Aghulli tends to prove that "he is not a puppet in the hands of stronger traders who are considered to own power".
Throughout the novel, several themes can be observed, including Sufi themes where star-crossed young lovers experience a possibility of transforming carnal love into mystical love.
Quotes
"My master thinks well of creatures. But my master should beware, because such elevated opinions are deadly.”
“Deadly?”
“What matters to me is warning you.”
“I would feel embarrassed walking among the people surrounded by bodyguards.”
“Life is a gift more precious than specious shame, master.”
“Do you think the danger is this severe?”
“Life is a gift more precious than specious shame, master.”
While he traversed the eastern alleys that ran parallel to the blacksmiths’ market, the man was beside him. But when the alleys ended at the temple plaza, he found that his companion had disappeared, as if the alleys’ shadows, which had spat him out, had returned to swallow him".[4]
Reviews
Ismaeel Al Saberi says in a research that a use of symbolism can be observed in the novel; symbolisms within the she-jinn, the scarecrow, and the title itself. As he wanted to depict the meanings of myths, bewitchments, and the idea of being a puppet in the hands of people who own power.[5]
Moreover, Manal Abu Shuereb states in her study that the title, "The Puppet" contains within its meaning a hidden evidence as to what Kuni wanted to narrate in the story, considering the fact that a puppet is just an object with no soul.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kuni, Ibrahim (2010). The Puppet. Texas: The Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Search this book on
- ↑ "The Puppet by Ibrahim al-Koni". Goodreads. 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 الاتحاد, صحيفة (2009-02-04). "دمية الروائي الكوني إلى الألمانية". صحيفة الاتحاد (in العربية). Retrieved 2022-08-02.
- ↑ Kuni, Ibrahim (2010). The Puppet. Texas: The Center for Middle Eastern Studies. p. 68. Search this book on
- ↑ الصابري, إسماعيل (2020). "في الأدب المقارن مقاربة نقدية مقارنة من الرواية الليبية والأدب الإنجليزي (مسرحية يوليوس قيصر لشكسبير، و رواية الدميّة لإبراهيم الكوني) أنموذجا". مجلة كلية الآداب. 30: 16 – via جامعة الزاوية.
- ↑ أمال محمد أبوشويرب. "سيميائية العنوان والغلاف في رواية إبراهيم الكوني (الدُّمية)." (2019).
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