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January 29, 2025
“Extraordinary ability to make the invisible visible” – about Yazbek, in “The wind’s abode”

“Extraordinary ability to make the invisible visible” – about Yazbek, in “The wind’s abode”

By Mediennerd, September 23, 2024

“The wind’s abode” by Samar Yazbek is a book that touched me deeply and made me think. It is a poetic and at the same time painful story about the conflict and the unspeakable suffering left behind by the war in Syria. This story is much more than just a description of war and violence; it is a literary meditation on memory, identity and survival in a world torn apart by conflict. Samar Yazbek, who is known as a Syrian author, journalist and civil rights activist, has once again demonstrated with this novel her extraordinary ability to make the invisible visible and to give a voice to those who are often overlooked in war. In “The wind’s abode” she takes us on a journey through the thoughts and memories of the young protagonist Ali, who, after being seriously injured, lies on a mountaintop in Syria. The story unfolds in a dreamlike state where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred as Ali tries to remember his past while also understanding the extent of his injuries.

What struck me most about Yazbek’s writing style is her ability to paint pictures with words that are both beautiful and disturbing. Nature, which plays a central role in Ali’s memories, is described with such lyrical language that you can almost feel the wind and hear the trees whispering. This poetic depiction stands in stark contrast to the brutal reality of war, which Yazbek describes just as impressively and unsparingly.

Ali, a story.

The language is powerful, dense and sometimes deliberately fragmented, which adds to the protagonist’s confusion and pain. Yet the author does not lose herself in the gravity of the subject matter, but repeatedly finds moments of almost delicate beauty that provide comfort amidst the chaos. The book is not an easy read – neither because of its subject matter nor because of its structure. It takes patience and a willingness to engage with the complex layers of the narrative. But it is precisely this challenge that makes Where the Wind Lives such a rewarding read. It is a work that resonates, that raises questions, and that stays with you long after you have finished reading it.
For me, Where the Wind Lives is not only an indictment of the futility of war, but also a deep, human document that explores the fragility and strength of the human spirit. Samar Yazbek shows us in her novel that even in the darkest of times, poetry and memory can provide light. Overall, Where the Wind Lives is a powerful literary work that impresses both with its poetic language and its haunting portrayal of the reality of war. It is a book that I would recommend to anyone who is willing to embark on a deeply moving and challenging journey.