Rafik Schami

A murder in Damascus, a love with the power to save a young man's life] ] In his latest novel, Rafik Schami ventures to the land of his childhood, where he is now unable to safely return: Syria. As a young girl, Sophia falls deeply in love with Karim, but weds a rich goldsmith instead. A few years later, Karim is accused of an assassination he did not commit and Sophia saves his life. He promises that she will forever have his loyalty, no matter the risk to himself. Long after the incident is buried in memory, Sophia's only son, Salman, returns to Damascus after forty years of exile in Italy; when his photo appears in the newspaper, he is forced into hiding and fears for his life. Remembering Karim's promise, Sophia decides to call on him for help in spite of the many years that have passed, and the lost opportunity of their once-consuming passion. Set during the tumultuous years leading up to the Arab Spring, Sophia delivers the intricate plotting and lyrical prose that Schami's reade

An authentic taste of the old Damascene tradition of storytelling that will inspire children's imagination. An old storyteller roams through the old quarter of Damascus. For only one piaster, he offers to show the children the wonders of the world. The children look through the peepholes of his magic box, which he carries on his back from one neighborhood to the next. There they see and hear the love story of Sami, the shepherd boy, and the beautiful Leyla. But over time, the story changes... pictures inside the wonder box become old and start to fade away, replaced by cutouts from recent advertisements. A stunningly-illustrated children's book filled with love, intrigue, courage, loyalty, and the sounds and smells of old Damascus.

"Kommt, Kinder, kommt alle her und hört meine Geschichten. Zuhören kostet nichts. Kommt alle her! Für nur einen Piaster könnt ihr die Wunder der Welt sehen und den mutigen Sami, wie er auf einem Löwen reitet." Ein Geschichtenerzähler zieht durch die Altstadt von Damaskus. Von ihm hören die Kinder - in immer neuen Variationen - das Märchen vom Hirtenjungen Sami und der schönen Leila. Doch mit der Zeit verblassen die Bilder im Guckkasten und die Gegenwart hält auch hier Einzug. "Dieses Buch möchte man mit vielen Lesern teilen. Bei Allah!" DIE ZEIT "Eine Bühne des Lebens mit hochdramatischen, poetischen aber auch komischen Szenen - wunderbar in Bilder übersetzt." Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Text in Arabic. Fatima lives with her mother and brother, Hassan. One day, Hassan goes out to seek his fortune, but runs afoul of an evil Lord who takes his dreams and sends him home empty-handed. Fatima is determined to get her brothers dreams back, and to secure her familys livelihood.