Book Review: ‘Rifqa’ by Mohammed El-Kurd

Book Review: ‘Rifqa’ by Mohammed El-Kurd
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Updated 27 November 2024
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Book Review: ‘Rifqa’ by Mohammed El-Kurd

Book Review: ‘Rifqa’ by Mohammed El-Kurd

Mohammed El-Kurd’s “Rifqa” is a searing and lyrical exploration of identity, resistance and the enduring impact of colonization. Named after El-Kurd’s late grandmother, the poetry collection captures the Palestinian experience with an intensity that is both personal and profoundly universal.

Through vivid language and raw emotion, El-Kurd weaves together memories, history and the lived realities of occupation, crafting a work that is as much a tribute to resilience as it is a call to action.

Through poems that shift between tender recollections of family and sharp critiques of displacement and violence, El-Kurd creates a narrative that refuses to separate the personal from the political. This duality gives the work a profound resonance, as it reminds readers of the humanity at the core of resistance.

El-Kurd’s grandmother, Rifqa, emerges as a symbol of steadfastness in the face of oppression, her life embodying the spirit of defiance that runs through the collection.

His language is evocative and unrelenting, often blurring the lines between poetry and protest. His verses are charged with anger, grief and a fierce love for his homeland, making every word feel urgent and necessary.

Yet, amid the rage and sorrow, there are moments of quiet beauty — glimpses of family life, the olive trees of Jerusalem and the enduring cultural traditions that tether the poet to his roots. These moments serve as a poignant reminder of what is at stake, grounding the collection in the everyday lives and stories of Palestinians.

What sets “Rifqa” apart is its refusal to sanitize or soften its message. El-Kurd speaks truth to power with unapologetic clarity, confronting readers with the stark realities of occupation and the complicity of global systems in perpetuating injustice.

Yet, his voice is not only one of condemnation, but also of hope and resilience. The poems are a testament to the enduring spirit of a people who continue to fight for their land, their identity and their right to exist.

“Rifqa” is a powerful and deeply affecting work that demands to be read as a testament to the resilience of a people and the enduring strength of a grandmother’s legacy.

It is a book that stays with you long after the final page, urging you to listen, to feel and to act. Mohammed El-Kurd has crafted a work that is both a lament and a rallying cry, a reminder that poetry has the power to witness, to resist and to endure.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’
Updated 03 December 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’

Author: Adam Scaife

Packed with surprising facts, this delightful and gorgeously designed book will beguile anyone who is curious about weather.

Expertly written and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photographs and original color artwork, “The Little Book of Weather” is an accessible and enjoyable mini-reference about the world’s weather, with examples drawn from across the globe.

It fits an astonishing amount of information in a small package, covering a wide range of topics—from weather forecasting and extreme events such as hurricanes and typhoons to the future of weather with climate change.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’
Updated 02 December 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’

Authors: Christopher M. Kellet & Philipp Braun

This self-contained and accessible introduction to the concepts and techniques used for nonlinear feedback systems offers a holistic treatment suitable for use in both advanced undergraduate and graduate courses; students need only some familiarity with differential equations and linear algebra to understand the material presented. 

The text begins with an overview of stability and Lyapunov methods for nonlinear systems, with Lyapunov’s second method revisited throughout the book as a connective thread.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Belonging and Not Belonging’

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Updated 01 December 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Belonging and Not Belonging’

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Author: MARY JACOBUS

“On Belonging and Not Belonging” provides a sophisticated exploration of how themes of translation, migration, and displacement shape an astonishing range of artistic works.

From the possibilities and limitations of translation addressed by Jhumpa Lahiri and David Malouf to the effects of shifting borders in the writings of Eugenio Montale, W. G. Sebald, Colm Tóibín, and many others, esteemed literary critic Mary Jacobus looks at the ways novelists, poets, photographers, and filmmakers revise narratives of language, identity, and exile.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist’

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Updated 01 December 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist’

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  • Ward’s writing captures the immediacy of war zones with remarkable precision, drawing readers into the chaos and danger of places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan

Author: Clarissa Ward

Clarissa Ward’s “On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist” is an unflinching and deeply personal memoir that provides a rare glimpse into the life of a war correspondent.

Known for her reporting from some of the world’s most volatile regions, Ward chronicles her journey from an aspiring journalist to one of the most recognizable faces in international reporting.

The book is as much a tale of personal growth as it is a vivid account of global conflict, told with the clarity and humanity that defines Ward’s journalism.

Ward’s writing captures the immediacy of war zones with remarkable precision, drawing readers into the chaos and danger of places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Her accounts of reporting under fire, navigating hostile environments, and witnessing the harrowing realities of war are gripping and often heart-wrenching.

And yet Ward balances these scenes with reflective moments, exploring how her experiences have shaped her understanding of humanity, resilience, and her own privilege.

What sets “On All Fronts” apart is that Ward brings the voices and stories of the people she encounters to the forefront, offering insights into lives often reduced to statistics in global news.

Whether describing a mother’s desperate attempts to keep her children safe in Aleppo or the quiet dignity of a refugee fleeing unimaginable horrors, Ward’s storytelling is compassionate and deeply affecting. Her empathy and commitment to amplifying these voices shine through every page.

The memoir also offers a candid look at the personal toll of covering conflict. Ward is unafraid to delve into the emotional and physical strains of her career, reflecting on the sacrifices and ethical dilemmas that come with the job.

Her honesty about the challenges of balancing her professional and personal life adds a layer of vulnerability that makes the book even more compelling. These moments remind readers that behind the camera is a journalist who is constantly grappling with fear, doubt, and the weight of bearing witness to the world’s darkest moments.

Ward’s prose is crisp and evocative, bringing to life not only the war zones she covers but also the newsroom politics and cultural nuances that shape her profession. Her journey — from a privileged upbringing in London to the frontlines of global conflict — is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering readers a rare look at the making of a journalist.

“On All Fronts” is more than just a memoir; it is a testament to the power of journalism to shine a light on injustice and to connect audiences to the humanity of those caught in conflict. It challenges readers to think critically about the stories they consume and the sacrifices made to bring those stories to light.

Ward has crafted a work that is as gripping as it is reflective; a book that underscores the importance of bearing witness in a world too often defined by division and violence.

For anyone interested in journalism, global affairs, or the complexities of the human condition, “On All Fronts” is an essential read — a masterful blend of memoir and reportage that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.

 


What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light

What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light
Updated 30 November 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light

What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light

Daniel Light’s “The White Ladder” is a captivating historical narrative that chronicles the thrilling ascent of mountaineering’s world altitude record. 

With a keen eye for detail and a poetic eloquence, Light brings to life the epic journeys of climbers, both renowned and unsung.

He delves into the innovative techniques and breathtaking ascents that pushed the boundaries of the sport, highlighting the crucial roles of local guides and indigenous mountaineers often overlooked in traditional accounts. 

By skillfully weaving together historical sources, Light presents a coherent and engaging narrative that is both accurate and captivating. 

His wry humor adds a refreshing touch to this remarkable tale of human ambition and the allure of the mountain.