They Die Strangers

CMES Modern Middle East Literatures in Translation

by Mohammad Abdul-Wali

They Die Strangers, a novella and thirteen short stories, is the first full-length work of the distinguished Yemeni writer Mohammad Abdul-Wali to appear in English. Abdul-Wali died tragically in an aviation accident, and his stories were collected after his death by the translators Abubaker Bagader and Deborah Akers. Abdul-Wali was born in Ethiopia of Arab Yemeni parents. His stories, filled with nostalgia and the bitterness of exile, deal with the common experiences of Yemenis like himself who are caught between cultures by the displacements of civil war or labor migration. His characters include women left behind, children raised without fathers, and men returning home after years of absence. He explores the human condition through the eyes of the oppressed and disenfranchised and is particularly sympathetic to the plight of women. Abdul-Wali writes in a realistic style, sparse and simple, a style that the translators have reproduced well in this volume.

Genres: Fiction, Middle East, Literature, Short Stories, Classics, Read For School

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2002

Reviews

[Hadia Butari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers interesting insight on the lifes of different Yemenis: the immigrants, the half-yemeni "mouwalleds", and the ones left behind, the ones who were able to return. Each with their own perspectives and thoughts.

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Abdul-Wali a number of years ago in an anthology (in Arabic) of critically acclaimed masters of the short story, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this collection of some of his stuff in translation. The stories here are representative of A-W's style: terse, compact, but touching little glimpses into the life of Yemeni exiles abroad, with a few sardonic but still grasp-worthy tales set in Yemen itself. A-W, a muwallad who spent his formative years in Ethiopia, is one of the foremost Arabic authors that wrote with deep feeling about the experience of exiles abroad. I can liken him to Lawrence or maybe even Hemingway for his terse, simple style.

[Bonnie Ridley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book consists of a novella and several short stories. I found it to be a compelling account of war and displacement in Yemen and Ethiopia during the mid-1900s. Especially poignant are the characters who finally understand that they are permanently without home and without nation. They no longer belong in either Yemen or Ethiopia; they are foreigners no matter where they are. The situation brings to mind today's turmoil, and the hordes of refugees with no place to go. And who are met, in the end, by walls.

The Introduction to the book was written long after the death of Abdul-Wali. It is lengthy, and goes to some pains to point out what is missing from Abdul-Wali's depiction of this time and place. I found it to be more condescending than enlightening.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would’ve been lost without the introduction - the stories are of local value, so without the explanation I wouldn’t have understood their meaning. As such, the story “The Ghoul”, representing the despotic imamte of Yemen, and “The Chinese Road”, telling the story of an important infrastructure project of the region, were of particular political significance and impact.
Since I love character-driven stories, I found “Brother are you going to fight them all” interesting because of the evil and arrogant policeman/mercenary as well as “The Land, Salma” about a woman whose husband has been overseas for five years and who worries about her workload and her husbands fidelity.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from Yemen and I was struck by the pure and unsentimental prose depicting the loneliness of life of emigrants forced by poverty to seek employment away from family and community. The unchosen solitude with attendant difficulties is portrayed starkly and there is no happy ending to the novella. I wish the author had lived longer and written much more.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how annoyed I get with the US, books like this remind me how lucky I am to live here. Harrowing stories.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has an admirable gift for summing up a life in just a few pages.

[feux d'artifice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly I couldn't get into any of the short stories which is too bad bc normally stories about diaspora and exile r my jam.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about Yemen written by a Yemeni. Different perspective that I haven't seen elsewhere.