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Dark Sun
Dalal Jassim is a young, New York–educated Kuwaiti woman who returns to her native country and must confront society’s demands and limitations. Questions of identity and her own hybridism arise—where does she belong? Dalal begins teaching at a public school, but when she becomes involved in the problems of a gifted student, her colleagues label her an outsider; her family members do not support her. Boundaries are challenged and traditions are explored as Dalal undergoes many challenges that threaten to push her to her absolute limits. In Kuwait, and in any other Arabian society, family bonds are sacred. Family is consulted when making any life changing decision. And sometimes privacy just doesn’t exist. People turn solely to family when they’re in trouble or face danger … but what if it’s family that you’re trying to run away from?
478 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2013
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 21, 2015
I was happy to read this book, as Kuwaiti youth writing has been gaining a bad reputation lately. Many poorly written books are on shelves, and I don't blame those who heavily criticize them. However, in my opinion, Dark Sun is not among those. I think it shows you the potential of Kuwaiti youth writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of Najla Aryan. The prose is written with such ease that it keeps you flipping the pages. I also loved the humor found mainly in the first chapters, but I noticed it lessens as the story progresses. Although I wished for more laughs, I found the step of lessening humor reasonable. First, the book deals with many hardships and tragedies, and it seems the writer did not find humor an effective tool in these situations. Second, Dalal, the protagonist, has many dark thoughts. She returns to Kuwait after living abroad for a while, and the constant comparison between “here” and “there” makes her uneasy.
Even though the story is interesting, I felt that the plot is not focused. You read the first chapters and you are not sure where you are going. Also, I found a couple of chapters that do not clearly move the plot forward. I believe because the book discusses so many issues, it has lost the element of a focused plot. Nonetheless, you can definitely feel clear plot progression in the final chapters. At that point, the book becomes a thriller, and you literally cannot put it down. Those chapters impressed me immensely.
Moreover, I admired two aspects of the book. The first one is Dalal’s faith. It is inspiring. Despite the devastating events occurring in her life, Dalal resorts to her faith for power and strength. Religion appears to be an element of the book, but luckily the reader is not preached. The second admirable aspect is the book’s informative nature regarding Kuwait. The book offers plenty of information about Kuwait’s culture, customs, and traditions. Sometimes it feels like it was written for a foreign audience. I think Aryan feels that it is her responsibility to educate others about Kuwait.
Finally, I hope this book gets the attention it deserves. As you will see when you read it, it is written for a cause. That is why I recommend reading Najla Aryan’s Dark Sun.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of Najla Aryan. The prose is written with such ease that it keeps you flipping the pages. I also loved the humor found mainly in the first chapters, but I noticed it lessens as the story progresses. Although I wished for more laughs, I found the step of lessening humor reasonable. First, the book deals with many hardships and tragedies, and it seems the writer did not find humor an effective tool in these situations. Second, Dalal, the protagonist, has many dark thoughts. She returns to Kuwait after living abroad for a while, and the constant comparison between “here” and “there” makes her uneasy.
Even though the story is interesting, I felt that the plot is not focused. You read the first chapters and you are not sure where you are going. Also, I found a couple of chapters that do not clearly move the plot forward. I believe because the book discusses so many issues, it has lost the element of a focused plot. Nonetheless, you can definitely feel clear plot progression in the final chapters. At that point, the book becomes a thriller, and you literally cannot put it down. Those chapters impressed me immensely.
Moreover, I admired two aspects of the book. The first one is Dalal’s faith. It is inspiring. Despite the devastating events occurring in her life, Dalal resorts to her faith for power and strength. Religion appears to be an element of the book, but luckily the reader is not preached. The second admirable aspect is the book’s informative nature regarding Kuwait. The book offers plenty of information about Kuwait’s culture, customs, and traditions. Sometimes it feels like it was written for a foreign audience. I think Aryan feels that it is her responsibility to educate others about Kuwait.
Finally, I hope this book gets the attention it deserves. As you will see when you read it, it is written for a cause. That is why I recommend reading Najla Aryan’s Dark Sun.
March 31, 2013
The intricate details that the author narrates in her book shows the exposition of a society that has been hardly looked at beyond its own shell. Najlaa tried coherently to emphasize the patriarchal society and its outcome through out the novel. She portrays the weak women within a society through different examples, her friend, the maid, her student and Dalal's own self. She redefines the role of the family and finds a fair ground in explaining the complications of culture interwoven with religion.
I believe that the delicate details that have been given regarding the protagonist in the novel develops a sense of a women society that is segregated completely from the male dominating arena, which helps in revealing simple but complicated ideas.
I believe that the delicate details that have been given regarding the protagonist in the novel develops a sense of a women society that is segregated completely from the male dominating arena, which helps in revealing simple but complicated ideas.
January 19, 2015
Fantastic read. Nodded my head through most of it as I felt I could clearly relate. Some tears, giggles and hours of reading! Well worth it
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews