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Transactions
A puzzling and unsettling book of short stories that plays games with popular tropes surrounding Islam, the Middle East and the Western subject.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 22, 2013
A great book of linked stories which explore, question and critique global capitalism. The book is open-minded but skeptical in regards to the personal/political/social motivations of individuals. It strongly critiques cruelty, coldness and indifference, explores the radiating effects of these and boldly reveals the hypocrises of multiple cultures and belief systems (in contact with capitalistic vice and greed). And there is a complex and confronting vigilante hero among it all, plus moments of hope and compassion (but always somewhat shadowed by the incomprehensible and insurmountable darkness). Just bloody damn good.
*disclaimer: I have both edited and been edited by Ali Alizadeh.
*disclaimer: I have both edited and been edited by Ali Alizadeh.
August 7, 2014
Death, atrocity and exploitation seem to be everywhere in the world of *Transactions*; or it could be said they *are* its world. The stories here are interconnected sketches/glimpses, through which Alizadeh critiques the systems and power relations that lead to the abject situations he depicts.
The title aptly describes the interactions of the characters, but I sometimes felt the characters and their relationships needed to be developed further in order to become more credible. But perhaps this is missing the point? Perhaps what *Transactions* demands is a questioning of what you, as the reader, are prepared to believe—a test of your assumptions and limits. Nevertheless, as the stories came and went, and characters appeared and reappeared, I found myself less and less engaged with the proceedings. It was almost as if someone was getting all trigger-happy on the remote, and flicking from channel to channel, having lost patience with the narrative, trying to find something more grotesque each time.
The characters tend towards types, or caricatures—especially when they offer detailed descriptions of themselves in first person (as they often do). But perhaps caricature is the point. It seems a cult of caricatures is in the ascendency (whether we’re talking politicians, celebs, media moguls, terrorists, etc.)—and a possible reading of Alizadeh’s stories is that he is highlighting and commenting on this. Is it satire, realism, or hyperbole? Or all of the above? Indeed, it seems the reality that *Transactions* grapples with cannot escape (self-)satire and hyperbole. Bottom line: current conditions make these abject, caricaturesque transactions inevitable, and these conditions must be changed.
The title aptly describes the interactions of the characters, but I sometimes felt the characters and their relationships needed to be developed further in order to become more credible. But perhaps this is missing the point? Perhaps what *Transactions* demands is a questioning of what you, as the reader, are prepared to believe—a test of your assumptions and limits. Nevertheless, as the stories came and went, and characters appeared and reappeared, I found myself less and less engaged with the proceedings. It was almost as if someone was getting all trigger-happy on the remote, and flicking from channel to channel, having lost patience with the narrative, trying to find something more grotesque each time.
The characters tend towards types, or caricatures—especially when they offer detailed descriptions of themselves in first person (as they often do). But perhaps caricature is the point. It seems a cult of caricatures is in the ascendency (whether we’re talking politicians, celebs, media moguls, terrorists, etc.)—and a possible reading of Alizadeh’s stories is that he is highlighting and commenting on this. Is it satire, realism, or hyperbole? Or all of the above? Indeed, it seems the reality that *Transactions* grapples with cannot escape (self-)satire and hyperbole. Bottom line: current conditions make these abject, caricaturesque transactions inevitable, and these conditions must be changed.
July 16, 2013
Couldn't put it down so I finished it in less than 12 hours. So proud that I know the author and to have been taught by him! The book is so graphic and visceral that it makes it extremely engaging, and the combinations of vignettes add to the "can't-put-it-down" quality. Really, really great.
June 19, 2017
This is a deeply uncomfortable set of stories. There isn't a single person who has any ethical or redeeming qualities. But it's a brilliant and unique set of interlinked stories about our difficult world. Whether it's NGO heads or sex workers, spoilt teenagers or ex-CIA operators, all of them put your teeth on edge. It's a clever piece of writing even if there are no redeeming characters.
July 15, 2013
I found Transactions to be an excellently constructed and crafted work, driven by vignettes of interesting and overlapping characters.
Writing such as this, using interwoven vignettes, is not normally a favoured format of mine so when I realised that Transactions was heading in that direction I feared that this might not be for me. It takes considerable craftsmanship to pull such works together, I usually find that there is a key character that I have identified as central and I want the story to focus on him/her. I felt similar about one of the characters in Transactions (I won't say which as it would be a spoiler) but I personally was given enough about that character to leave me satisfied. And leave the possibility of a sequel without that plot tail being annoying.
Reading Alizadeh's bio on his blog it's clear that the skill put to work in creating Transactions is the result of many years hard study and graft. Having put out my own first work Slander & DOUBT I now have far more respect for authors such as Ali Alizadeh who have built up such an impressive bio. I'm daunted by the thought of maintaining such drive myself for such a period; excited yes, but daunted. But Ali Alizadeh clearly has persevered and refined his craft over time. Which is wonderful for the rest of us, and I thoroughly recommend this work.
And hopefully there will be a sequel (hint, hint, Ali!)
Writing such as this, using interwoven vignettes, is not normally a favoured format of mine so when I realised that Transactions was heading in that direction I feared that this might not be for me. It takes considerable craftsmanship to pull such works together, I usually find that there is a key character that I have identified as central and I want the story to focus on him/her. I felt similar about one of the characters in Transactions (I won't say which as it would be a spoiler) but I personally was given enough about that character to leave me satisfied. And leave the possibility of a sequel without that plot tail being annoying.
Reading Alizadeh's bio on his blog it's clear that the skill put to work in creating Transactions is the result of many years hard study and graft. Having put out my own first work Slander & DOUBT I now have far more respect for authors such as Ali Alizadeh who have built up such an impressive bio. I'm daunted by the thought of maintaining such drive myself for such a period; excited yes, but daunted. But Ali Alizadeh clearly has persevered and refined his craft over time. Which is wonderful for the rest of us, and I thoroughly recommend this work.
And hopefully there will be a sequel (hint, hint, Ali!)
July 26, 2014
I picked up "Transactions" after an article in an Australian newspaper, coinciding with the author's appearance on our ABC's QandA political and current affairs panel TV show. Although a clever exposé of life at the fringe for our non-mainstream populations, I found each story a little hard to decypher at times.
The author's sense of humour shines through as he describes life's bizarre ironies and hypocrisies with witty sarcasm. For me, this could easily have been a four- or five-star read if more time had been taken to ensure the ideas in Mr Alizadeh's mind were converted more clearly into the prose.
The author's sense of humour shines through as he describes life's bizarre ironies and hypocrisies with witty sarcasm. For me, this could easily have been a four- or five-star read if more time had been taken to ensure the ideas in Mr Alizadeh's mind were converted more clearly into the prose.
October 2, 2013
Transactions are a very interesting and talented collection of short stories. Each story is intense, full of pain and has a resolution, somehow the stories are interconnected and the book a whole is a reflection on our modern civilization where the gap between the countries and nations is wider than ever. There are numerous important issues raised in this small book and it leaves a reader disturbed and uncomfortable. The book confronts our assumptions about many today's issues and makes us think about our own place and responsibilities.
October 24, 2013
No one comes out of this book unblemished or unquestioned. Jewish historians, Middle-Eastern Muslim heiresses and Christian American think-tank directors are all plunged into a murky world of grasped opportunity and wounded ego which is as ugly as it is recognisable, and the bitter hollowness of lazy assumptions about race and culture are voiced by them all.
Read full review here: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/2013/...
Read full review here: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/2013/...
January 3, 2016
This was clever and engaging. Alizadeh assembles an international cast of characters hailing from nations including the Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and titles each segment of the interwoven story with archetypes of the Tarot.
There is lust, revenge, greed and despair in the stories - grim topics but handled with agility and humour. The transactional nature of each character's interation weaves the collection together.
There is lust, revenge, greed and despair in the stories - grim topics but handled with agility and humour. The transactional nature of each character's interation weaves the collection together.
May 12, 2015
3.5 This is a very well constructed and well written book that tells contemporary stories of parts of the world and the people in it about which we seldom hear. It is dark in tone and the linking character is very sad and weary. I won't forget Samia, The Empress, in a hurry. A hugely loathsome creature whose demise in the end story could not be more welcome.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews