Shubeik Lubeik (graphic)

 

My Thoughts:

I read this  as an excerpt only, but this graphic is dark irony, struggle and humor at the same time. The little except  was the kind of dark irony that makes me laugh, and then feel guilty that I laughed. There is a very old short story that I used to bring into my English classroom, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Like this graphic novel which is translated as the genie's phrase "your wish is my command," the Jacobs short story also takes the premise of three wishes. The way these wishes are granted are both horrific and act as a cautionary tale.

The moral of both tales, be careful what you wish for.

Deena Mohamedʻs art is bold and strong. It is stunning in its fluid way of creating its own pacing for the stories. I am not familiar with Arabic female cartoonists, but her work is very strong, saturated by vibrant colors and beautiful Arabic calligraphy. 

From the Publisher:

Three wishes that are sold at an unassuming kiosk in Cairo link Aziza, Nour, and Shokry, changing their perspectives as well as their lives. Aziza learned early that life can be hard, but when she loses her husband and manages to procure a wish, she finds herself fighting bureau­cracy and inequality for the right to have—and make—that wish. Nour is a privileged college student who secretly struggles with depression and must decide whether or not to use their wish to try to “fix” this depression, and then figure out how to do it. And, finally, Shokry must grapple with his religious convictions as he decides how to help a friend who doesn’t want to use their wish. Deena Mohamed brings to life a cast of characters whose struggles and triumphs are heartbreaking, inspiring, and deeply resonant.

Although their stories are fantastical—featuring talking donkeys, dragons, and cars that can magically avoid traffic—each of these people grapples with the very real challenge of trying to make their most deeply held desires come true.

Publication information:

Author/Illustrator: Deena Mohamed

Publisher: Pantheon (January 10, 2023)