Capturing Freedom’s Cry: Arab Women Unveil Their Heart

This poetry collection is both anthropological and poetic and is a must-read for anyone interested in Arab women writers as well as Beirut, Lebanon. Syrian/Lebanese writer, feminist, and human rights activist, Ghada Samman chose to remain in Beirut in order to provide an insider's perspective on the Civil War that would last fifteen years (1975-1990).Samman uses the voice of female narrators to captures the harrowing effects of war as well as the struggles that women face in a patriarchal society. The original title is Capturing a Fleeting Moment, a change that the translators, Dr. Rim Zahra and Dr. Razzan Zahra made based on the request of Samman.Each poem title in the book begins with the word "capturing" those sweet fleeting moments of peace and love in war as well as its tragedies. In the midst of the book are the struggles of women for equality, justice, and autonomy over their own bodies and sexuality. As the translator's point out for Samman, "the liberation of the nation is inseparable from women's liberation." What I love about this book is that it also includes a detailed bio of Samman as well as a translator's note.Best of all, the well-known Lebanese author Etel Adnan also writes a "Tribute to Ghada Samman" which is not included in the original version of the book and is clearly a reflection of the Adnan's admiration for Samman as well as the English translation.This is the second translation of Samman's poetry, the first being Arab Women in Love and War, that is out there. While her novels have been translated, her poetry has unfortunately not and so this is a great contribution.

Knowing very little about lives in the middle east, I read the book by sips. It let me begin to understand the spirit of the women who lived and still live there. The poetry tells stories of the true challenges, tragedies, cultural differences, oppression and the hope of women who are a world so far apart from ours. Brilliantly written and translated, I want to thank those who are letting us have some insight into another time and another world.

When I read this book, I instantly fell in love. This book captured the beauty of the Middle East while portraying themes such as heartbreak, love, and fear. I really enjoyed Ghada Al-Samman poems as it shows the cultural differences and diversity. I'm really happy this was translated because her poems were astonishing and brilliant. I would give this 1000 stars if I could.