[Post-00s Perspective + Emerging Writers + Afghanistan + Totalitarian Politics + Religious Oppression + Technology Ethics] Three stories about dignity, memory and identity - from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan, to the future transformed by technology, written for everyone who does not want to be defined.
This book contains one short novel and two novellas.
"Lawrence of Afghanistan" tells the story of young Karim who lost the possibility of going to college, living freely, and expressing love after the Taliban regained control of Kabul. He makes a living by carrying goods, running errands for others, and exchanging dollars. He also secretly saves money to marry his childhood sweetheart, Laila. In order to let the girl who was forced to cover her face and stay at home see her former self again, Karim sold his collection of pens and bought a bright blue skirt from the black market for $300.
In the dim room, Laila put on her dress, exposed her face, and danced awkwardly with Karim to the non-existent music. A brief romance quickly turned into incriminating evidence when a neighbor snitched on her. The two were interrogated, beaten, and their skirts were thrown into a fire and burned. Karim originally only wanted to make his beloved happy, but found that in a society where fear maintains order, clothes, photos, dance and love can all become crimes.
With the help of their family, the two fled Afghanistan and traveled to Abu Dhabi via Pakistan. As the plane rose into the night sky, they did not get a certain and bright ending. They just came to a space where no one questioned their identity, feelings and clothing.
The novel uses the blue skirt as an image throughout the novel, describing the smallest desires of ordinary young people under totalitarian rule for love, beauty and modern life. It also asks: When "living" has become all reality, does a person still have the right to take risks for dignity, memory and love?
"There is No Sea in Kazakhstan" tells the story of Erlan who grew up on the shore of the Aral Sea, which is constantly drying up. He has never seen the real sea, but he regards becoming a Soviet navy sailor as his lifelong ideal. He trains on stranded ships and imagines Vladivostok, the fleet and the distance as an exit from the established life on the steppe. However, when he finally came of age and came to the recruitment office, the old country had disintegrated, and what was waiting for him was only a cold answer: "There is no sea in Kazakhstan, where can the navy come from?"
"Robot·Human" tells the story of Lin Ling, who is unemployed, lonely and almost despairing of real life. He actively accepts the experiment of transforming the human brain into a computer. He believes that knowledge, ability and even happiness can be installed like a program. Human body modification technology has swept across society. While bringing efficiency and opportunities, it has gradually become a tool for capital, the state and social order to shape "qualified human beings", creating new disciplines, wealth differentiation and global crises.
Reader comments
"Lawrence of Afghanistan" tells a tragic story. Two young Afghan men and women fell in love. However, the repressive religious atmosphere, tight social relations, and chaotic war caused a series of changes in this relationship...
It contains a short novel and two novellas. The story is based in a foreign land and tells the story of the characters' wandering experiences. In the context of the turbulent times, it writes about individual struggles, pursuits, loves and hates. The narrative is delicate, depicting complex human nature, using the fate of the characters to reflect the joys and sorrows of ordinary people in a turbulent region, and it has a strong sense of atmosphere.
I was attracted by the title of this book. Reading this book is so heartbreaking! The three stories are like three keys, opening the door to dignity, memory and identity. The blue dress in Afghanistan, the "sea" in Kazakhstan, and the people transformed by machines all say: Life is not easy, but taking risks for love, beauty, and self makes life bright. Even if the world wants to define you, you can still choose not to be tamed.
Emerging writers born in the 2000s make their grand debut!
Contains two novellas and one short novel, the story is bizarre and unique!
"Lawrence of Afghanistan" tells a tragic story. Two young Afghan men and women fell in love. However, the repressive religious atmosphere, tight social relations, and chaotic war caused a series of changes in this relationship...
It contains a short novel and two novellas. The story is based in a foreign land and tells the story of the characters' wandering experiences. In the context of the turbulent times, it writes about individual struggles, pursuits, loves and hates. The narrative is delicate, depicting complex human nature, using the fate of the characters to reflect the joys and sorrows of ordinary people in a turbulent region, and it has a strong sense of atmosphere.
I was attracted by the title of this book. Reading this book is so heartbreaking! The three stories are like three keys, opening the door to dignity, memory and identity. The blue dress in Afghanistan, the "sea" in Kazakhstan, and the people transformed by machines all say: Life is not easy, but taking risks for love, beauty, and self makes life bright. Even if the world wants to define you, you can still choose not to be tamed.
Emerging writers born in the 2000s make their grand debut! Contains two novellas and one short novel, the story is bizarre and unique!