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الدنيا في أعين الملائكة
لم يدر في بالي أن أسال سامي لماذا غير اسمه إلى أحمد؟ وما الداعى؟ وهل اعتنق الإسلام، أم فعل ذلك لأسباب فنية. كما لم أستطع التأكد من صحة الخبر وهل هو من أفكار سامي وخيالاته التى اكتشفت بعد أن اختفى كلية أنه كان يطعم قصصة بحوادث مختلفة فيها الكثير من التوابل ليجعلها لذيذة. فاليهود والمسيحيون فى مدينتا " ذلك الوقت" يسمون أسماء شائعة بين المسلمين، كغانم، وسامى، وسليم، وعبد الله وأديب، وشاكر ، وفاروق، وعمر إلى آخره كان سامي يحدثنى باستمرار عن الإلام، لأن أخاه سليم الأكبر منا ببضع سنوات يعمل فى السينمان يبيع التذاكر وكان يرافقة لرؤية أى فلم جديد، وكنت احرص على لقاء سامي بعد كل فلم لأسمعه يقص على حوادثة بالتفصيل وكانا ذلك يستغرق منه اياما . إذ كنت دائما مشغولا بتلبية حاجات ابى والمكلوب. ولم يكن وقتى ملكى كسامي. كنت أسرق بضع دقائق للراحة والاستجمام أستمع إليه فيها. وحينما رأيت الملصق تشوقت لرؤية البطل القومى سيمر لاما وهو يطير على فرسه كما كان يصفه سامي، ويضرب الأعداء بسيفه البتار ، لينفذ " أخته" ظلت رؤية سمير لاما غصة فى قلبى لم أستطع تجاوزها، فعندما سمح لى بالذهاب إلى السينما اختفت أفلام سمير لاما أصبحت قديمة لاتجذب المشاهدين لكن كلمات سامى وهو يصفه ما زالت تعرض الفلم أمام عينى حتى الآن.
- GenresFiction
314 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Mahmoud Saeed
11 books8 followersMahmoud Saeed was an Iraqi-born American novelist.
Born in Mosul, Saeed has written more than twenty novels and short story collections, and hundreds of articles. He started writing short stories at an early age. He wrote an award-winning short story in the Newspaper "Fata Al-Iraq, Newspaper" in 1956. He published a collection of short stories, Port Saeed and other stories, in 1957. In 1963, the government after 1963 coup destroyed his two novel manuscripts one under review, "The Old Case" and "The Strike".
Government censorship prevented his novel Rhythm and Obsession from being published in 1968, and banned his novel Rue Ben Barka, in 1970. Rue Ben Barka was published fifteen years later in Egypt 1985, Jordan 1992/1993, and Beirut in 1997. Authorities banned the publication of any book written by the author from 1963 to 2008. His most important novels after Ben Barka Lane are The Girls of Jacob, The World Through the Angel's Eyes, I am the One Who Saw, and Trilogy of Chicago.
Born in Mosul, Saeed has written more than twenty novels and short story collections, and hundreds of articles. He started writing short stories at an early age. He wrote an award-winning short story in the Newspaper "Fata Al-Iraq, Newspaper" in 1956. He published a collection of short stories, Port Saeed and other stories, in 1957. In 1963, the government after 1963 coup destroyed his two novel manuscripts one under review, "The Old Case" and "The Strike".
Government censorship prevented his novel Rhythm and Obsession from being published in 1968, and banned his novel Rue Ben Barka, in 1970. Rue Ben Barka was published fifteen years later in Egypt 1985, Jordan 1992/1993, and Beirut in 1997. Authorities banned the publication of any book written by the author from 1963 to 2008. His most important novels after Ben Barka Lane are The Girls of Jacob, The World Through the Angel's Eyes, I am the One Who Saw, and Trilogy of Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 15, 2025
An extremely beautiful book that takes us back to a shockingly different, beautiful, diverse, colourful, polyphonic version of Iraq. Before the Iraq Iran war, before the Invasion ras part of the so called 'War on Terror', before the rise of the self dubbed 'Islamic State'. We have all kinds of Iraqis - Jews, Crhstians, Muslims, Kurds, Assyrians and so on. It is a coming of age novel fuller with the purest descriptions of a plethora of emotions - love, grief, infatuation, anger, sensuality, empathy and so on. The writing style, much like the setting feels absolutely magical and our narrator is extemely lovable with his keen intelligence, tolerance and empathy for those around him. The book will make you laugh and cry. It is best likened to sitting with a wise old relative who you admire. It makes you wonder, how many of our elders have stories like these inside them?
The book takes us through the relationships the main character has with women in his life - his sister, his first friend, his first love, and so on. They cross all kinds of social, ethnic, religious and socio economic lines. Much as they stayed with the author for decades, I'm sure the stories will stay with me too.
As suggested by the books title, and by the introductory quote - the story is told from the perspective of the author as a child. It truly is angelic to see how he made friendships across religious and ideological lines, how he truly felt love and compassion for others and so on.
If only we could turn back the hands of time....
The book takes us through the relationships the main character has with women in his life - his sister, his first friend, his first love, and so on. They cross all kinds of social, ethnic, religious and socio economic lines. Much as they stayed with the author for decades, I'm sure the stories will stay with me too.
As suggested by the books title, and by the introductory quote - the story is told from the perspective of the author as a child. It truly is angelic to see how he made friendships across religious and ideological lines, how he truly felt love and compassion for others and so on.
If only we could turn back the hands of time....
May 21, 2014
I loved this novel. While the book felt like a compilation of several short stories at first, it slowly became tied together beautifully in the end. The way Saeed writes each character makes you feel deeply as if you are in the narrator's shoes himself. Saeed can make you laugh then cry but in the best way possible. I actually got to meet Mr. Saeed and he is simply wonderful. After meeting him, I could hear his voice and captured his essence while re-reading this novel. [MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD] In particular, I enjoyed the way Saeed wrote about death. He managed to capture perfectly how much each death you encounter in life truly shapes and sticks with you in life whether it was closely related to you or not. I felt that this book was beautifully real.
April 21, 2018
I did not see this coming. And I wish I've read this novel earlier when I had the chance to ask the writer all the questions I have in mind, that I want to answer and don't want to. I once saw him by chance and waited with him at the airport, and not once did he mention that he wrote this beautiful piece.
Want to read
July 15, 2012The novel “The World Through the Eyes of Angels” is about an Iraqi man’s experiences and memories from childhood and beyond. Each chapter tells the story of a person, or multiple people that left a lasting impression on the man. The format of the novel adds to its uniqueness because by separating the characters, each chapter focuses on the character description and memories associated with that character, instead of intertwining all of the characters and memories. The descriptions of characters and memories are vivid and allow the reader to get a very good idea of how the man remembers his childhood experiences. The characters in the novel share some common traits. The first few chapters are about memories and experiences with educational figures, such as the Mullah, the Sheikh, and Miss Khadija. The following chapters are primarily about women. Selam was a young childhood playmate, Madeline was an older girl who the man was very fond of, and Sumaya was the first love of his life. The novel is by no means uplifting, but it is not entirely depressing. Rather there is a combination of happiness and sadness, providing an overall bittersweet tone. I believe that the theme of bittersweet is what makes the novel unique. By presenting memories of happiness and sadness, it makes the novel more realistic, because life is neither entirely full of happiness nor is it entirely full of sadness.
The book opens with the chapter “The Mullah”. He is a figure disliked by all students of the madrassa. The Mullah is a character that the narrator associates with education. He provides knowledge, yet he is a cruel person. He represents the meeting grounds of a benefactor and a cruel captor, teaching the Koran with a bamboo whip in his hand. A stark contrast is made between the Mullah and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Shahdi. Although the sheikh is a figure that the narrator associates with education, he is far from cruel. In fact, the children of the madrassa find peace and freedom from the Mullah when they visit with the sheikh, it is a special treat for them. The old sheikh is wise, and tells very many stories. Although some of them are far-fetched, the children learn valuable lessons from the sage. Finding solace in the sheikh represents the simplicity and innocence of childhood, it didn’t require much effort for the children to become content. The ability for children to find happiness and joy in simple things is a trait that quickly disintegrates over time.
A large portion of the book is devoted to the descriptions of women and the memories associated with them. The first woman the reader meets is Miss Khadija, a teacher who helps the narrator practice his reading and writing. The narrator describes his success in Miss Khadija’s class, and it is apparent that she served as a mother figure for the narrator. She cared for him very much, and allowed him to leave school so he could take over at his father’s store, in order for his father to pray the noon prayer. Miss Khadija represents the caring motherly figure, and this motherly, caregiver trait is something that all Arab women are expected to possess.
Throughout life, people move from place to place and it is inevitable that any established relationships will most likely end. The narrator writes about losing a good friend in the chapter “Selam”. She is the first girl in the narrator’s life who represents a love interest. However, the love that the narrator has for Selam is platonic. Selam and the narrator played freely in the streets and near Selam’s house. She showed him how to play with marbles, and Selam was very good at drawing, the narrator was astonished with the amazing artistic abilities of this young girl. He and Selam shared mulberries and water, and as the narrator reflects on Selam, he comments that the only plate and cup that Selam and her mother owned were the plate which mulberries were served on, and the cup that was used to drink water. Selam and her mother disappeared, leaving the narrator emotionally distraught. He never found out where they went.
The chapter “The Ravishing Madeline” tells the story of young girl betrayed by her lover. In Arab society, it is necessary that women remain pure until marriage. If they do not, they will never find a husband. Madeline was a beautiful young woman, older than the narrator. It is apparent that Madeline’s beauty and womanly features captivated him. In this chapter, the reader learns that the narrator is a talented calligrapher. Madeline asked the narrator to write a letter for her, to send to her fiancée, Diya’. After writing the letter, Madeline and the narrator spent a lot of time together, and frequently Madeline described the future that she hoped to have with her husband- a life of luxury and happiness. But it turned out that all of her hopes for a future life never came true, because Diya’ decided to break off the engagement. Ultimately it is revealed that Madeline and Diya’ had pre-marital sex, and because of this, no man would have ever wanted to marry Madeline. She died of depression and malnourishment.
The narrator reflects on his first love in the chapter “To Love Anew”, which introduces Sumaya, a Jewish girl. The love that develops between the narrator and Sumaya is romantic love. The chapter begins with the incident of how the main character was able to earn respect amongst the Jewish community in Mosul. He became close with Sami, a Jewish boy, and his family. Sumaya was Sami’s sister. The narrator became deeply in love with her, but like some of the other characters in the novel, she left with her family and did not reveal where her and her family went. Months later, the narrator receives a letter in the mail from Sumaya, with her picture and he saw that it was from Cyprus. Eventually another letter arrives and Sumaya writes that she has bone cancer. The chapter ends with the letter, perhaps signifying that the shock and pain felt by the narrator, leaving him at a loss for words.
The chapter “Ghasoub and Ghadban” is about two boys who attended the same school as the narrator. They are described as relatives, perhaps stepbrothers because they have distinct features from one another- Ghasoub is pale with full lips, and Ghadban has a bronze complexion with thin lips. Ghasoub loved the singer Farid Al-Atrash, and one the teacher Mr. Abdul Alim began to mock Farid Al-Atrash, causing Ghasoub to become very angry. After this, the mockery would not stop and the boys were left with an ultimatum- either remove Mr. Alim, or forget their futures at that particular school. The boys chose the former, and after attacking Mr. Alim, they attended school in peace. Years later the narrator runs into Ghasoub who ultimately reveals that he admitted to Mr. Alim that he was responsible for the attack. This chapter touches on the ironies present in life- mockery caused a conflict in school leading to the removal of the teacher by force, and then years later, the boys responsible for the attack told their victim that they beat him up, and he was gracious because he had forgotten the entire incident even occurred.
The novel delves into a risqué subject in the chapter “ Hajim and Sabika”. Sabika is an extremely poor, older, blind woman. She is married to Imara, and she has a son named Hajim. One day, Sabika arrives at Mustafa’s house and she is covered in blood- she was raped by multiple men the night before. Her husband took advantage of her disability and thus allowed men to come and sleep with her. Sabika was extremely humble, she worked as a cleaning lady and she would ask for next to nothing for her services. Sabika musters up the courage to tell her husband “do as you please” after he threatens to leave. He never returns.
The novel’s final chapters, “Shafaq”, “Shu’a”, and “Noor” are about Mustafa’s family, and the impact that they had on his life. I found it interesting that the final three chapters were dedicated to the family members of Mustafa, but obviously he holds them very close to his heart, and he saved the best for last, so to speak. The novel “The World through the Eyes of Angels” takes the reader on a journey through the life of a novelist. The story has happy and sad moments, but what makes this novel so special is that it is very real- life is never perfect, we are always faced with struggles and sometimes we are presented with good things. Sometimes all we can hold onto are our memories, we are able to reflect on our past, to help us remember the person we are today.
The book opens with the chapter “The Mullah”. He is a figure disliked by all students of the madrassa. The Mullah is a character that the narrator associates with education. He provides knowledge, yet he is a cruel person. He represents the meeting grounds of a benefactor and a cruel captor, teaching the Koran with a bamboo whip in his hand. A stark contrast is made between the Mullah and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Shahdi. Although the sheikh is a figure that the narrator associates with education, he is far from cruel. In fact, the children of the madrassa find peace and freedom from the Mullah when they visit with the sheikh, it is a special treat for them. The old sheikh is wise, and tells very many stories. Although some of them are far-fetched, the children learn valuable lessons from the sage. Finding solace in the sheikh represents the simplicity and innocence of childhood, it didn’t require much effort for the children to become content. The ability for children to find happiness and joy in simple things is a trait that quickly disintegrates over time.
A large portion of the book is devoted to the descriptions of women and the memories associated with them. The first woman the reader meets is Miss Khadija, a teacher who helps the narrator practice his reading and writing. The narrator describes his success in Miss Khadija’s class, and it is apparent that she served as a mother figure for the narrator. She cared for him very much, and allowed him to leave school so he could take over at his father’s store, in order for his father to pray the noon prayer. Miss Khadija represents the caring motherly figure, and this motherly, caregiver trait is something that all Arab women are expected to possess.
Throughout life, people move from place to place and it is inevitable that any established relationships will most likely end. The narrator writes about losing a good friend in the chapter “Selam”. She is the first girl in the narrator’s life who represents a love interest. However, the love that the narrator has for Selam is platonic. Selam and the narrator played freely in the streets and near Selam’s house. She showed him how to play with marbles, and Selam was very good at drawing, the narrator was astonished with the amazing artistic abilities of this young girl. He and Selam shared mulberries and water, and as the narrator reflects on Selam, he comments that the only plate and cup that Selam and her mother owned were the plate which mulberries were served on, and the cup that was used to drink water. Selam and her mother disappeared, leaving the narrator emotionally distraught. He never found out where they went.
The chapter “The Ravishing Madeline” tells the story of young girl betrayed by her lover. In Arab society, it is necessary that women remain pure until marriage. If they do not, they will never find a husband. Madeline was a beautiful young woman, older than the narrator. It is apparent that Madeline’s beauty and womanly features captivated him. In this chapter, the reader learns that the narrator is a talented calligrapher. Madeline asked the narrator to write a letter for her, to send to her fiancée, Diya’. After writing the letter, Madeline and the narrator spent a lot of time together, and frequently Madeline described the future that she hoped to have with her husband- a life of luxury and happiness. But it turned out that all of her hopes for a future life never came true, because Diya’ decided to break off the engagement. Ultimately it is revealed that Madeline and Diya’ had pre-marital sex, and because of this, no man would have ever wanted to marry Madeline. She died of depression and malnourishment.
The narrator reflects on his first love in the chapter “To Love Anew”, which introduces Sumaya, a Jewish girl. The love that develops between the narrator and Sumaya is romantic love. The chapter begins with the incident of how the main character was able to earn respect amongst the Jewish community in Mosul. He became close with Sami, a Jewish boy, and his family. Sumaya was Sami’s sister. The narrator became deeply in love with her, but like some of the other characters in the novel, she left with her family and did not reveal where her and her family went. Months later, the narrator receives a letter in the mail from Sumaya, with her picture and he saw that it was from Cyprus. Eventually another letter arrives and Sumaya writes that she has bone cancer. The chapter ends with the letter, perhaps signifying that the shock and pain felt by the narrator, leaving him at a loss for words.
The chapter “Ghasoub and Ghadban” is about two boys who attended the same school as the narrator. They are described as relatives, perhaps stepbrothers because they have distinct features from one another- Ghasoub is pale with full lips, and Ghadban has a bronze complexion with thin lips. Ghasoub loved the singer Farid Al-Atrash, and one the teacher Mr. Abdul Alim began to mock Farid Al-Atrash, causing Ghasoub to become very angry. After this, the mockery would not stop and the boys were left with an ultimatum- either remove Mr. Alim, or forget their futures at that particular school. The boys chose the former, and after attacking Mr. Alim, they attended school in peace. Years later the narrator runs into Ghasoub who ultimately reveals that he admitted to Mr. Alim that he was responsible for the attack. This chapter touches on the ironies present in life- mockery caused a conflict in school leading to the removal of the teacher by force, and then years later, the boys responsible for the attack told their victim that they beat him up, and he was gracious because he had forgotten the entire incident even occurred.
The novel delves into a risqué subject in the chapter “ Hajim and Sabika”. Sabika is an extremely poor, older, blind woman. She is married to Imara, and she has a son named Hajim. One day, Sabika arrives at Mustafa’s house and she is covered in blood- she was raped by multiple men the night before. Her husband took advantage of her disability and thus allowed men to come and sleep with her. Sabika was extremely humble, she worked as a cleaning lady and she would ask for next to nothing for her services. Sabika musters up the courage to tell her husband “do as you please” after he threatens to leave. He never returns.
The novel’s final chapters, “Shafaq”, “Shu’a”, and “Noor” are about Mustafa’s family, and the impact that they had on his life. I found it interesting that the final three chapters were dedicated to the family members of Mustafa, but obviously he holds them very close to his heart, and he saved the best for last, so to speak. The novel “The World through the Eyes of Angels” takes the reader on a journey through the life of a novelist. The story has happy and sad moments, but what makes this novel so special is that it is very real- life is never perfect, we are always faced with struggles and sometimes we are presented with good things. Sometimes all we can hold onto are our memories, we are able to reflect on our past, to help us remember the person we are today.
March 5, 2018
Who wants to read a true childhood novel that reads the world in the eyes of angels, the writer was able to portray the child's psyche deeply and accurately
February 9, 2025
My first time readings an English translation of an Arabic novel. (I usually read in Arabic, my mother tongue). I wanted to see how it would "feel" to a foreigner reading about our world, if that makes sense.
This novel's world, although not close to me in time or place as an Egyptian born in 2000 vs Iraq in the 1940s, and although mine was very different, this novel felt like reading about my childhood. A soothing and nostalgic read.
Translation is also besutiful, this book "feels" personal even though it's the work of 3 people.
I will most likely be gifting this to a non-Arabic speaker if a chance comes up.
This novel's world, although not close to me in time or place as an Egyptian born in 2000 vs Iraq in the 1940s, and although mine was very different, this novel felt like reading about my childhood. A soothing and nostalgic read.
Translation is also besutiful, this book "feels" personal even though it's the work of 3 people.
I will most likely be gifting this to a non-Arabic speaker if a chance comes up.
October 12, 2014
Abigail Baker
The World through the Eyes of Angels is an inspiring novel based on the childhood of Iraqi novelist Mahmoud Saeed. Saeed leads the reader through points of his history that are close to his heart. It is rare that a novel is capable of grasping truths of reality and this book is fearless and is not for the faint of heart as it describes in detail the reality of life in another place and another time. This novel brings light and understanding to English speaking society which has yet to understand cultures and values other than its own.
The writer describes the three women that he has loved and lost and the most tragic of these (although all three were tragic) was Sumaya. Another woman in his life that left a deep void was Shafaq, the writer's sister. I was overwhelmed with grief, happiness and contentment as I read the many tales that this story had to offer and after I was done reading I felt a strong attachment to the real world as many novels tend to lift you from the earth and drop you back down without having a soft place to fall.
The World through the Eyes of Angels is an inspiring novel based on the childhood of Iraqi novelist Mahmoud Saeed. Saeed leads the reader through points of his history that are close to his heart. It is rare that a novel is capable of grasping truths of reality and this book is fearless and is not for the faint of heart as it describes in detail the reality of life in another place and another time. This novel brings light and understanding to English speaking society which has yet to understand cultures and values other than its own.
The writer describes the three women that he has loved and lost and the most tragic of these (although all three were tragic) was Sumaya. Another woman in his life that left a deep void was Shafaq, the writer's sister. I was overwhelmed with grief, happiness and contentment as I read the many tales that this story had to offer and after I was done reading I felt a strong attachment to the real world as many novels tend to lift you from the earth and drop you back down without having a soft place to fall.
May 6, 2024
ok chief
I like wanted to like this more because I think it’s powerfully written and captures the world through a young boy growing up very accurately, so it definitely will fit with a lot of readers. It’s hard for me to read a boys first experiences with women and young love, and given the time period and culture things are very different, on top of the fact that oc young boys have confusing times in the time before puberty. It’s just. Not something I entirely enjoy reading. So basically
I guess for me I just didn’t... get the overall point, I think it’s just a bit too distant for me to truly be able to appreciate its content. I wanted all these stories to be connected somehow but in the end, it read essentially like a memoir, a collection of stories of trauma and growing up of a young boy.
I like wanted to like this more because I think it’s powerfully written and captures the world through a young boy growing up very accurately, so it definitely will fit with a lot of readers. It’s hard for me to read a boys first experiences with women and young love, and given the time period and culture things are very different, on top of the fact that oc young boys have confusing times in the time before puberty. It’s just. Not something I entirely enjoy reading. So basically
I guess for me I just didn’t... get the overall point, I think it’s just a bit too distant for me to truly be able to appreciate its content. I wanted all these stories to be connected somehow but in the end, it read essentially like a memoir, a collection of stories of trauma and growing up of a young boy.
August 15, 2012
A wonderful novel about a boy growing up in Iraq, decades before Saddam Hussein came to power and war rained down upon the nation. The stories are told in simple, elegant and beautiful language, and like many of the best books about childhood, it feels like the authentic memories of an adult gazing back on the moments that shaped his life. And like many of the best works of translated literature, "The World Through the Eyes of Angels" opens a window onto another culture; Iraq is a familiar place from countless news reports about the wars and struggles of recent years, but few of us have seen Iraq through the eyes of this wise and wistful author.
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April 27, 2012"Mahmoud Saeed has produced a plangent and tender tribute to the Mosul he knew in the 1940s and ’50s." - M. D. Allen, The University of Wisconsin, Fox Valley
This book was reviewed in the May/June 2012 issue of World Literature Today. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://worldliteraturetoday.com/2012/...
This book was reviewed in the May/June 2012 issue of World Literature Today. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://worldliteraturetoday.com/2012/...
September 16, 2015
I cried at several points while reading this book. Beautifully written and an equally-beautiful English translation. This is a tender reminder of a young person's innocent heart and the fragility of life.
August 22, 2013
its a great novel
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews