Trench [Paperback]

This is indeed part two of a trilogy; the first book is "Cities of Salt," and the last is "Variations on Night and Day." However, Western readers are likely to be confused by the thread of narration; Book 1 describes the effects of American oil industry on the fictional Sultanate of Mooran (1940's?) while #2 dispenses with the Americans to focus on the intrigue and cultural shifts in the sultanate (1950's?). Book 3 returns to before the discovery of oil, and features the British-born Hamilton, modelled largely on St. John Philby (father of Kim Philby).

I am very sorry to have to refute the incredibly snide Kirkus Associates review, which joyfully embraces the trope of squalid, vile Yanks and noble, complex Britons. Kirkus' reviewer needs to actually read what the writer says rather than regurgitate his own prejudices. Mooran has nothing whatever to do with Jordan; it is clearly a medley of Saudi Arabia and the Trucial States (for one thing, there is not a significant volume of oil in Jordan). It's difficult to make the case that the Doctor's son, who indeed attends graduate school in San Francisco, is corrupted by "American values" (whatever the hell those are!); the only Americans he interacts with are employees of the State Department, and are agents of state policy, not "American values." This book describes an entirely different world from either Iraq or Kuwait, and the reason Munif "cannily" keeps the USA or the oil offstage is that he's done with them.

Munif does indeed write about what he feels like, and the vignettes are narrated in whatever sequence he wants. He returns to earlier points in each narrative to achieve whatever point he needs to make. This is not an especially clear-cut polemic against any nationality; the Arabs are perfectly capable of acting on their own "values" (they're not "half devil and half child"); it is LITERATURE, and very fine literature at that. It involves very rich and vivid character development; the characters have their own motives and respond to events in plausible ways. It is a sad and tiresome business to spend so much time refuting another's review, but readers would be justly deterred if they believed Munif was merely ranting against some vile alien influence. He is not; his narrative is a beautifully and spontaneously woven fabric woven from existentially human threads.

"The Trench" is the second book in a trilogy commencing with "Cities of Salt." Munif's novels are thinly disguised accounts of events in Saudi Arabia, commencing with the discovery of oil by the Americans in the Eastern Provence, and its impact on the inhabitants. This book spans a decade, roughly corresponding to the rule of King Saud (Khazael in the novel), from 1953, with the death of the nation's founder, King Abdul Aziz (Khureybit) to 1962, when Faisal (Fanar) assumed active control of the government. Whereas "Cities of Salt" was largely set in Dhahran (Harran), "The Trench" is set in the capital, Riyadh (Mooran).

It is a great novel, rich with insights into the human condition that transcends the Saudi setting. The rush of modernization, coupled with the nostalgic loss of traditional values. There is the corruption and scheming that money can inspire. Munif might present it in a satirical, even tongue-in-check way, but there are numerous lessons in "statecraft" that are worthy of "The Prince." Munif displays a full palette of characters, major and minor, most, plausibly developed. I could almost hear Munif chuckling to himself as he wrote about Dr. Subhi Al Mahmilji evolving his "Square Theory." Clearly Munif possessed visceral contempt for at least one person who had wormed himself into the King's inner court. There are the dynamic complexities of family relationships, and there is some love, and much lust and sex. I found the appointment and evolution of the first head of intelligence, Hammad Al-Mutawa particularly well done, and fascinating. Certainly one of the most sympathetic characters was the "crazy radical," Saleh Al-Rushdan, whose horse-shoeing skills became obsolete with the introduction of the motor car, but could always be counted on "to tell it like it is," and whose fate Munif might have feared himself. Mohammed Eid's vital support of Dr. Al Mahmilji was described in the first novel, so the disappointment of his marital aspirations and rejection was quite poignant. For all of Munif's words there is little descriptive power, but there was a beautiful exception when he wrote of Khazael's desert visit with: "the sun diffidently, almost lazily, caressed the sand and cleansed away the night' dew....(p 502).

Like other reviewers at Amazon, I was amazed by the Kirkus Review - clearly the "professionals" churn out "good copy," but how many pages have they actually read? And there is the review from the New York Review of Books printed on the back cover that says the novel evokes a "the royal court of an obscenely rich monarchy." This is at the time in which Saud essentially bankrupted the country; electric power was slowly being installed and quality medical care had to be obtained abroad. Missing are the Saudi reviewers who had a true feel for that era - or for that matter, any Saudi reviewer. I'd love to know if Faisal spent much time traveling due to poor health prior to assuming control in '62 - which I had not heard previously... and if tanks played a part in the transfer of power in that year. If neither of these actually occurred, reasonable speculation on Munif's motives for inventing these details would be appreciated. In terms of the role of women, one reviewer described them as "very limited," which certainly seemed belied by the philandering of Widad, who exhibited a woman's classic skills, and desires.

I found this novel a better read than "Cities of Salt," primarily due to the lack of the "magic realism", and although it was dealing with the real concept and fears of djinns, I felt it did not work. I also found Munif's use of dramatic tension much more compelling in this novel, yes, page turning even. Therefore I gave it a full 5-star rating, though 4.5 might be much more appropriate. I feel that a note from the publisher, as well as translator might be appropriate. It helps to consider a book like "War and Peace," and be specifically told that a character might have three different names, involving the familial relationships, using "Abu" and "Umm" (Father and Mother of) as well as "Ibn" (son). Also, like I was once advised in school, concerning War and Peace, it helps to make your own list to keep it all straight. The translator, Peter Theroux, appeared to do a good job, but some notes of the translation, and the ambiguities with certain words, and possible double-entendres with proper names would have been appreciated. As for Munif, I still think he is too wordy, certainly not in the descriptive sense, where he is light, but in terms of the conversations, some of which could easily be omitted. Also, despite the pages, I do not feel he provided sufficient motive to the reader for Fanar's actions at the end of the book.

On a person note, during the `80's and `90's, I saw four physicians, three Saudi, one American, use their medical practice to catapult themselves into the Royal inner circle, like Dr. Al Mahmilji did. All but one had similar denouements. Vis-à-vis the United States, this seems to be a cultural and governmental difference. It's much rarer for a medical practitioner to gain such influence over governmental leaders - though an astrologer seemed to have significant influence over Nancy Reagan, and she over her husband.

Overall, a very important, unique and vital work that covers the Kingdom as few others do. It is great literature that is both anchored to its time and place, and transcends them.

Part 2 of his trilogy, following Cities of Salt, is an intelligent and interesting continuation of a fascinating place and time. First, I strongly agree with reviewer Mr. Maclean in his comment about the Kirkus review! What book did the Kirkus reviewer read?

As I stated in my review of Cities of Salt, this is more a story of a fictional Middle Eastern nation moving from a tribal to a 20th Century economy with all the societal, political and cultural upheavals that implies. Munif uses the personalities of his characters more than actual events to tell this part of the trilogy's story.

This is NOT a book about the evils of the "West" or about those nasty folks destroying all that was good about their country. It is about the growing pains felt by all countries trying to grow up and be a part of the rest of the world. Sure, there are opportunists, double-dealers, etc. but there were some of the same in their "old" tribal society, too. This is revelatory rather than reactionary.

Please read this, BUT read Cities of Salt first; and don't read into it what Munif didn't put into it!!!!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews  4.7 out of 5 stars