My name is Fahd As-Samawa. I was born to a rich father and a beautiful mother. But my father’s riches haven’t initiated me to the world of rich people, nor my mother’s beauty to the world of beauties. I’ve got what I don’t want and was denied what I wanted until I no longer wanted it….. The other for me is either an envier or envied…. either wants something from me or I want something from … him…. and in every case not a friend. I couldn’t tell the one who wants me from the one who shuns me. I’ve never approached the ones I’ve loved…. never owned the heart of a woman…. never loved or been loved.
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This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Stoned
Author: Mouneer Soulaiman
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 6/10
Of the 15 readers:
10 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
12 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
10 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“This novel is not what I would call a comfortable read. It follows the journey of a man in Syria; it can be violent and often very sexual, but it is always a gripping read. Although the author’s writing style is not as strong as the subject matter, he/she still works hard to develop the central character and to help the reader to get to know him. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this book, but I did find it thought-provoking in terms of how a character can change.” Male reader, age 52
“Fahd is a wonderfully complex character who is very much misunderstood by everybody around him and possibly even himself. He has a strong character arc throughout the story which was well told and never boring. I would not recommend this book to the fainthearted as the theme is often very adult in nature. But this adultness adds to the flavor of the book, offering the reader a dark and gritty character study.” Female reader, aged 38
“Dark gritty, often shocking – excellent read!” Male reader, aged 21
“A cleverly-plotted story showing the effects of war on a country and a specific, rather messed-up character. Sad, and rather depressing in parts, it is a thought-provoking read as we follow the protagonist on his journey to redemption. I was reminded a little of American Psycho when I read this book; a little stomach-churning, but you just have to keep reading.” Male reader, aged 44
To Sum It Up:
‘A cleverly-crafted, character-led story with a strong adult theme.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
“The Stoned,” by Mouneer Soulaiman, is a searing, psychological military drama about a man in Syria seeking redemption for a wrong he caused against the woman he loved.
This fictionalized biopic is not for the faint of heart, and is for a mature audience only, as the violence may be too strong or controversial for younger readers. Also, those easily triggered may want to read with caution. Having said all of that, this book is a startling look at the life of a man named Fahd. He prides himself with the outer trappings of expensive clothes with designer labels, sexual exploits with women, and social/financial status. Syria is where he grows up, and he sees too much of the chaos going on around him. It takes a toll. It seems he can’t escape the impact of the war–on himself and the country he cherishes. But instead of choosing to avoid Syria, he seeks forgiveness of sorts–or at least a purging of his guilt concerning his beloved Basma. His journey is one of transformation, as he goes from someone with superficial values to someone who realizes his mistakes and tries to correct them.
Most of this book is hard to digest, and you will struggle through it just as Fahd does. This is why readers should give this novel a chance. Readers can always learn from material that makes us feel uncomfortable and can actually teach us something new.
Even though I don’t agree with all of Fahd’s choices, he is a compelling character, and I love how Soulaiman has carefully crafted the development of this character. It isn’t often you get to see such profound changes in a character, but it’s the kind of thing that draws you to a good book or film. If you’ve ever been caught up in turmoil, tried to make the right choices, or struggled to better yourself, you will appreciate this book.
I like the broadness of themes this author uses, from war to self-betterment, and the intense emotions and psychological aspects that go along with them. The first part of the book introduces you to Fahd and the pivotal incident that changes him forever. Soulaiman doesn’t sugarcoat this character or this story.
“The Stoned,” by Mouneer Soulaiman, is a realistic, gritty, sometimes dark portrayal of a Syrian man coming to terms with who he is, what he’s done, and his place in the tumultuous war-torn world he lives in.