Waar de woestijn begint, staat het grote huis. Achter hoge muren woont de Gabalawi, de stamvader van de wijk. Sinds lange tijd heeft niemand hem gezien, maar zijn onzichtbare hand stuurt het lot van zijn kinderen en kleinkinderen. Toch kan hij niet voorkomen dat criminele elementen de wijk steeds weer onveilig maken met geweld en onderdrukking.
Peter Theroux, a brilliant translator and writer, has illuminated the Arabic world for Western readers. In his latest work, he explores southern California, particularly Los Angeles, revealing a city often misunderstood. With wit and energy, he deconstructs and reconstructs LA, allowing us to see it as a whole for the first time, much like newcomers from a foreign land. Despite being a leading candidate for Armageddon, Los Angeles remains a premier destination and trendsetter in the U.S. It grapples with both ancient and modern plagues—earthquakes, smog, riots, and gang warfare—yet continues to symbolize the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow for many. Theroux's affectionate and anecdotal guide takes us beyond this metaphorical rainbow, connecting LA's diverse ethnic enclaves and social classes. By traversing the city's fault lines, he offers surprising and illuminating insights into its complexities. With genuine sensitivity to its past, present, and future, this work delves into the souls of Angelenos, providing a remarkable commentary on America's most intricate and diverse city.
"[A] stunningly candid portrait of culture and politics in the Middle East."― Los Angeles Times Book Review In this provocative and incisive memoir, Peter Theroux reveals the Middle East only as a true insider can. Stationed as a journalist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for most of his seven years in the region, Theroux explodes the romantic images of Arabia, but replaces them with the even more intriguing reality of fanatic Muslims, overwhelmingly rich and powerful royal families, and the vast gulf in understanding between Arabs and westerners.
Set in a Middle Eastern kingdom during the 1950s, this second volume of a critically acclaimed trilogy explores the corrupting influence of oil, greed, and American values. The narrative unfolds in the sultanate of Mooran, where Sultan Khazael's reign is marked by petty conflicts and intrigues, particularly the Machiavellian scheming of Dr. Subhi Mahmilji, the sultan's chief advisor. Dr. Mahmilji wields significant power, establishing Hammad al-Mutawa as head of the secret police, but faces challenges from his wife Widad, who desires every man but him; his assistant Muhammed Eid, who wishes to marry his daughter Salma; and his son Ghazwan, whose experiences in the US expose him to Western decline. The story captures Mooran's gradual descent into capitalism through seemingly trivial episodes, including humorous business deals and family quarrels. The author maintains a close perspective on the characters' ambitions and fears, allowing their tragic absurdity to remain obscured until the inevitable backlash against the sultan's regime. This subtle satire may be challenging for some readers, yet it effectively illustrates the dangers of excessive wealth and power, reflecting the author's own loss of Saudi citizenship.