Damascus, SANA- When Syrian readers delve into Rawad al-Awwam’s latest collection of short stories, “A Dumb Devil,” they encounter a poignant reflection of the nation’s tragic past under the former regime and the immense suffering it inflicted upon the people.
Al-Awwam has aptly chosen the title as an allusion to the proverb “The one who is silent about the truth is a dumb devil,” embodying the collection’s characters who serve as poignant reflections of the tragic reality.
While the stories are set in a fictional country, serving as a veiled reference to Syria under the oppressive regime, they delve into universal themes such as imprisonment, torture, enforced disappearances, media control, and the authoritarianism of the ruling party, often laced with satirical undertones.
Opting for symbolism and suggestion, al-Awwam avoids explicit references to the real-world counterparts of his characters and setting. Instead, he employs names that satirize the ruling class of this imaginary nation.
Al-Awwam’s writing style is characterized by its simplicity, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. His narrative avoids unnecessary complexity, allowing the stories to resonate with people from all walks of life.
The title “A Dumb Devil” serves as a powerful metaphor for a reality where fear silenced people, making even the most mundane utterances a potential risk.
This 192-page collection, published by Dream publishing house in Kuwait, marks al-Awwam’s fourth publication, following two novels and a book exploring the Syrian revolution and the regime’s crimes.
The caricatures in the short stories by artist Mamdouh Hamada further enrich the narrative.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
