Tayyib Salih is one of the most important writers from Sudan, where are the basics of written literature only in the forties of the last century emerged. Previously, stories were passed down orally. Tayyib Salih in 1966 published his first novel, "Days of moving northwards and became one of the founders of the new flow. "The Marriage of Zain" is considered his most important work.
This short novel can be classified into the flow of magical realism. The action takes place in a small Sudanese village. The author can the villagers and the everyday life unlikely to sketch picturesque and warm. The focus then falls on Zain - the local idiot, you might say. He's ugly, he is always happy, he laughs at himself and the world. Zain loves everyone, especially the outcasts - for all he has a warm word and a helping hand. No one in the village seriously Zain. Ridicule is love, especially his tendency to constantly - again and again he chooses a girl and expresses immortal being in love with it. The Sample is therefore an object of desire for all those willing to marry men in the village. Soon, all efforts Mothers, which is exactly her daughter Zain in the eye.
Zain is a Sufi - Al-Hunain - friends, which is regarded as a holy man. Shortly before his death, he predicts that the village area and that Zain will marry the most beautiful girl. His prophecy comes true. Zain's marriage will bring all the villagers in an uproar.
Tayyib Salih begins his narrative with the Neuigekit on Zain's wedding and takes it as an opportunity to represent other residents. He quotes excited conversations and describes the local customs and traditions. This one gets the impression that he represents his dreamland, but this is already far away in the past.
"The Marriage of Zain" seems to be an interesting entry into the literature of the Sudan.
My Rating: 4 / 6
Tajjib Al-Salih, Wesele Zajna, translated by Jolanta Kozlowska, 96 pages, Smak Słowa.
