The Hidden Light of Objects    by Mai Al-Nakib Order:  USA  Can Bloomsbury, 2015 (2015) Hardcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch The ten short stories in this collection offer a stunning look at life in the Middle East. Kuwaiti writer Mai Al-Nakib goes beyond the headlines that announce the latest act of terror, and looks beyond the religious turmoil and violence to investigate young love, marital problems, and the types of situations ordinary people in any part of the world might deal with. Offsetting these mundane occurrences are unique ones that are certainly more Middle Eastern in nature. For example, you'll meet a mother trying to adjust to being reunited with her family after a decade as a POW of the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, and a Palestinian teen drawn into a botched suicide bombing by two classmates. A powerful new voice whose stories have already been recognized by critics far from the Gulf States, Mai Al-Nakib is a multifaceted writer whose debut promises even more compelling fiction in the future. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews