Books matching: political imprisonment
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- #1
Save:Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur is a compelling autobiography that delves into the life of the author, a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Front. The book alternates between moments in her childhood and her time in prison, shedding light on her experiences, struggles, and the injustices she faced within the American criminal court system. Assata's writing style is raw, powerful, and insightful, providing a firsthand account of her life from being wrongfully accused to seeking asylum in Cuba.
There were lights and sirens. Zayd was dead. My mind knew that Zayd was dead. The air was like cold glass. Huge bubbles rose and burst. Each one felt like an explosion in my chest. My mouth tasted lik... - #2
Save:'The Septembers of Shiraz' by Dalia Sofer tells the story of a wealthy Jewish family living in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. The father, Isaac Amin, is a successful jeweler who is suspected of being an Israeli spy and is arrested, leading to the family's struggles and adjustments in his absence. The narrative weaves together the experiences of each family member, from the father's imprisonment and torture to the son studying in New York and the daughter trying to protect her family in the midst of societal upheaval. The writing style is described as beautifully written, with a calmness that permeates the characters' reflections and assessments of their circumstances.
- #3
Save:'Hawksbill Station' by Robert Silverberg is a novella that explores the concept of a penal colony in the Cambrian period where political dissidents are sent back in time as a humane alternative to execution. The story follows the struggles of these male exiles, led by revolutionary Jim Barrett, as they try to survive and find meaning in their lives in a harsh and desolate past. The narrative alternates between the happenings at Hawksbill Station and flashbacks to Barrett's life, delving into themes of ideological commitment, fairness of punishment, and the impact of being displaced by historical events.
The book is a masterful examination of political power shifts, character portraits of men facing a hopeless situation, and a study of ambition in various forms. Silverberg's narrative competence shines through in the creation of a vividly imagined prehistoric setting and the depiction of convicts grappling with their circumstances. Despite a diversion into 20th-century political exposition, the novella effectively conveys the struggles and complexities faced by the characters in this unique time-travel scenario.
Barrett was the uncrowned king of Hawksbill Station. No one disputed that. He had been there the longest; he had suffered the most; he had the deepest inner resources of strength. Before his accident,... - #4
Save:"A Jew In Communist Prague: Loss of Innocence" follows the life of Jonas Finkel, a Jewish boy growing up in 1950s Prague, Czechoslovakia, during the oppressive regime of communism. The narrative begins with the arrest of Jonas's father, a professor accused of being a counterrevolutionary, which leads to the family's gradual decline into poverty. As Jonas is denied an education due to his father's status, he is forced into the workforce, taking on various labor jobs while struggling with the challenges of adolescence amidst political turmoil. The story captures the complexities of his coming-of-age journey, as he navigates forbidden literature, budding relationships, and the harsh realities of life under a totalitarian regime.
Vittorio Giardino's writing style is characterized by its captivating storytelling and rich characterization, complemented by beautifully detailed illustrations that enhance the emotional depth of the plot. The artwork is noted for its realistic style, which aligns seamlessly with the narrative's themes of social and political issues. The book offers a poignant exploration of the impact of communism on individual lives, particularly focusing on the experiences of a young Jewish boy grappling with the brutalities of an oppressive society. Through Jonas's eyes, readers gain insight into the struggles faced by those marginalized under a regime that preaches equality while practicing systemic discrimination.
Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by author Malika Oufkir is a powerful and disturbing memoir detailing the author's imprisonment, along with her mother and siblings, following her father's failed political coup in Morocco. The book chronicles their years of captivity in squalid desert prisons, their successful escape, and subsequent house arrest and surveillance. The narrative provides insights into Malika's upbringing in privilege, her time as a political prisoner, and her resilience in the face of unimaginable hardships.
Why this book? It is clear that even if we hadn't met by chance, MaHka Oufkir would have written this account one day. Since her escape from prison, she has always wanted to tell her story and exorciz...- #6
Save:'The Seventh Cross' by Anna Seghers is a gripping thriller set in Germany during the Nazi regime prior to World War II. The story follows the escape of seven political prisoners from a concentration camp and the chilling pursuit by the Gestapo to recapture them. The tension and fear inspired by the Gestapo and concentration camps are depicted vividly, with a focus on one of the escapees, George Heisler, as he navigates the dangers of staying out of the hands of the authorities. The writing style of the book seethes with tension, portraying the insidious beginnings of unjust imprisonment and paranoia in pre-WWII Germany.
The narrative of 'The Seventh Cross' sheds light on the stark reality of life in a totalitarian regime, showcasing the rapid transformation of good people into fearful individuals who struggle to do what is right. Through the pursuit of the escapees, the book highlights the courage required to challenge the oppressive system and the power of friendship in resisting injustice. The author, Anna Seghers, a Jewish Communist who fled Germany during the war, brings a unique perspective to the story, emphasizing the complexities of opposing unjust political systems and the importance of standing up against tyranny.
Never perhaps in man’s memory were stranger trees jelled than the seven plane trees growing the length of Barrack III. Their tops had been clipped before, for a reason that will be explained later. Cr... 'Man Is Wolf to Man: Surviving the Gulag' by Janusz Bardach is a powerful memoir that delves into the author's harrowing experiences surviving the Gulag during Stalin's era. Bardach's writing style is described as forceful and excellent, providing a personal and moving account of the atrocities faced by prisoners in one of Russia's worst Gulags. The narrative explores themes of human resilience, the extreme use of fear as a weapon in Communist society, and the brutal realities faced by those imprisoned in the Gulag.
Early in the morning on September1, I was drawn out of sleep by a penetrating, high-pitched whistle lasting several seconds and ending in a distant, thunderous explosion. I’d never heard such a sound ...- #8
Save:'Auschwitz and After' by Charlotte Delbo is a powerful and haunting memoir that delves into the author's experiences as a French political prisoner interned in Auschwitz during World War II. Delbo's writing style combines poetry and prose to provide a unique and emotional account of life in the concentration camps, offering insights into the female experience of the camps and the struggles of reintegrating into society after liberation. The book is described as a brilliant testimony of the Holocaust, shedding light on the unimaginable horrors faced by those who endured such atrocities.
And when the guards shout to line up five by five, the men on one side, women and children on the other, in a language they do not understand, the truncheon blows convey the message so they line up by... "Seize The Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton" by Bobby Seale is a detailed account of the Black Panther Party's creation, evolution, and its impact on the civil rights movement. Through the eyes of one of its founders, Bobby Seale, the book provides a raw and authentic narrative of the struggles faced by the Panthers in their fight against racism and police brutality. Seale's writing style, described as oral history in written form, keeps the reader engaged as he recounts the significant events and challenges encountered by the party during the 1960s and 1970s.
Seale's memoir delves into the social and political climate of the time, shedding light on the injustices faced by African Americans and the relentless efforts of the Panthers to bring about change. not only serves as a historical documentation of the Black Panther Party but also as a reflection of the ongoing issues of racism and inequality that are still prevalent in today's society.
- #10
Save:'Karnak Cafe' by Naguib Mahfouz is a novella set in Cairo in the early 1970s, focusing on the experiences of patrons at a cafe, particularly three young men who are repeatedly detained, tortured, and released by the police. Through a series of vignettes, Mahfouz provides a commentary on Egyptian life during a tumultuous time, highlighting the impact of political repression on the youth. The narrative delves into themes of autocracy, dictatorship, betrayal, and the consequences of living under a repressive regime, all told from the perspective of an external observer who reflects on the great hope and subsequent destruction of a generation.
Mahfouz's writing style in 'Karnak Cafe' is described as dense, clear, and transformative, with the ability to turn ordinary moments into profound reflections that captivate the reader. The novella addresses complex issues such as torture, political ideologies, and the nature of love, all within the setting of a cafe where friendships are tested, political discussions unfold, and the aftermath of historical events like the Arab-Israeli war is felt. The story culminates in a moral examination of loyalty, fear, betrayal, and the internal struggles faced by the characters in a society plagued by oppression and political turmoil.
It was sheer chance that brought me to the Karnak Café. One day I’d made my way to al-Mahdi Street to get my watch repaired; the job was going to take several hours, so I had to wait. To kill the time...
