MAMA HISSA'S MICE

Fajar Al-Kaisi gives a solid, if at times unmodulated, narration of a timely coming-of-age novel set in Kuwait. Living with the legacy of the Iraqi invasion, Kuwait is being torn apart by sectarian violence among Shias and Sunnis. Three boys of different ethnicities who have been friends from childhood to manhood establish their own gang, Fuada's Kids, to help them navigate the treacherous streets of their city. Al-Kaisi gives the titular character, Mama Hissa, a lively voice, matching her larger-than-life personality. The action of the novel jumps around in time, a structure that could be confusing for the listener, but Al-Kaisi admirably captures both the exuberant tone of the boy as well as the wistful note of the man. A rich listening experience. D.G.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2020]