Description
Ali Bader’s ninth novel, “Kings of the Sands,” was chosen for publication by Kaleem Books in Dubai. The novel depicts a confrontation between non-military elements of the regular army (the Iraqi army) and a group of desert Bedouins whose loyalty to the state is questioned. The narrator is a member of the regular army, the sole survivor of his group, and he recounts the events of this adventure from his own perspective.
Ali Bader crafts his novel with captivating skill, maintaining a pleasing level of tension. He propels the narrative with balance and considerable artistic ability, resulting in a smooth flow of events that adds enjoyment and suspense to its 150 pages (of medium format). Although the novel feels realistic, almost like a reflection of the author’s personal experiences, it transcends mere realism with its profound human insights. These insights are subtly and intelligently woven into the narrative, transforming the novel into a philosophical exploration of time, history, absurdity, and life itself. The plot unfolds within a compelling narrative framework, featuring a fierce conflict between Bedouins and an Iraqi soldier who composes his own anthem for understanding and living in the desert.
Bader presents several beautiful and compelling moments, including the scene where the soldier (the narrator), a city dweller, finds himself alone in the desert after the deaths of all his comrades. He feels a desperate need for help from anyone, even his enemy, and is gripped by fear and anxieties about his fate.
And then there’s the moment when Jassas, the young Bedouin, the murderer, the narrator’s nemesis, a son of the desert, sits on the riverbank in the city, a prisoner in chains, and weeps at the sight of the Tigris and its boundless waters. He feels that the abundance of water to such an extent unsettles his principles and customs as a Bedouin suffering from water scarcity, but he doesn’t feel panic, only sorrow, and he weeps like a resilient human being who expects no help from anyone but himself.
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