Two books brought literary sheen to the recent Kuala Lumpur Palestine Film Festival, writes Amanda Suriya Ariffin
The Gaza Kitchen
Authors: Laila El-Haddad and Maggie Schmitt
Publisher: Saba Islamic Media
138 pages
THIS is a stellar example of how a book can marry history, culture, cuisine and story-telling beautifully like a lovingly woven tapestry. The sub-heading on the cover reads A Palestinian Culinary Journey, but it is more than that.
It is a rich and deep look — to the uninitiated reader who knows only of the war-torn aspect of Palestine — into the lives of Palestinians, through kitchens of all shapes, size and colour. The authors have managed to weave the narrative of life into a literary spread that will send many gourmands and kitchen goddesses trying out the plethora of recipes.
There is lush, unstructured side passages that accompany the recipes (divided by section) that will read something like, the lightness and joy of a household the authors have walked into, or the fusion of spices in Gazan cuisine and their history.
This book is a visceral, sensory and literary delight. It is an immersion into a way of life of a people who have suffered greatly but who persist in preserving beauty in tradition.
An interview with one of the authors, Laila El-Haddad, revealed that the ethno-graphic approach to the book was her way of using food to talk about the history of the land that is her home land, Palestine.
The pictures are vibrant, much like the smiles of the women photographed in candid moments. The Palestinian heritage preserved in its lovingly-crafted words is textured and stirring.
This is a book to be savoured slowly and its optimism inhaled deeply.
Remember Us
Editors and Publishers: Husna Musa and Zabrina A Bakar (Viva Palestina Malaysia)
175 pages
THIS is a book of stories from Palestinians curated and creatively edited by Malaysians. They are stories from students, writers and bloggers who all lend a rich dimension to this printed book-tapestry of life.
There are stories that tell of explosions, of gratitude and of simple journeys to and from a loved one’s home. Ultimately, these stories serve to broaden and enrich a greater understanding of what life looks like through Palestinian eyes, hearts and minds.
The narratives range from raw, to incisively intelligent, from heartfelt to startling. There are poems, too, that are haunting yet direct in their tone. There is nothing cloying or coy from the contributing writers. This is not for those seeking a light, frivolous read.
This is real life presented in the best possible way: Truthfully.
The Gaza Kitchen, priced at RM45, is available at www.saba.com.my and sabaonlinestore.com. All proceeds from the sale of Remember Us (RM30) will be donated to fund the projects of Viva Palestina Malaysia. Details at www.rememberusstories.com