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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'The mystery and wonder of Afghanistan comes to life in these tales of men who converse with bees and bears; of horseshoe bats in flights that blot out the sun, and of blackbirds that bring golden apples to earth from heaven. The sorrow of this extraordinary land is here too in the story of Abdul Kaliq, the king-killer, who ends his life on a scaffold in Kabul, and of Majid the Madman who turns to music for solace when his children die of plague. Other tales tell of an aged wolf who proves to a shepherd boy that he is the most intelligent creature on earth; of Proud Nadia, courted with a copy of Huckleberry Finn; and of the master poisoner Nightfall, who creates a cookbook of enchantments.
'Whether the tale is of wolves or wizards, The Honey Thief conveys in writing of surprising tenderness what it is like to grow up in a land of bloodshed and brotherhood, of miracles and catastrophes.' (From the publisher's website.)
'Whether the tale is of wolves or wizards, The Honey Thief conveys in writing of surprising tenderness what it is like to grow up in a land of bloodshed and brotherhood, of miracles and catastrophes.' (From the publisher's website.)
Notes
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Dedication: This book is dedicated with great affection to Robin Burke, Norman Bourke, Jeanie Gibb, Hakeema Mazari, Maria Mazari, and also to Bruce Norman.
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Authors note: The inspiration for the tales in The Honey Thief is derived from the long oral tradition of storytelling in Afghanistan. As in those tales of centuries past, a number of the stories in this collection are based on actual events, and some make reference to people who have played a role in the larger narrative of Afghanistan. The oral history of Afghanistan, preserved by storytellers in villages, towns and cities, is a living treasure. The Honey Thief is conceived as a tribute to men and women who for many centuries celebrated in poems, songs and stories the experience of ordinary Afghans, their culture and wisdom.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Abdul Karim Reviews The Honey Thief by Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Mascara Literary Review , June no. 11 2012;
— Review of The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
The Latest Word
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Wet Ink , no. 26 2012; (p. 49)
— Review of The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Fiction Focus : New Titles for Teenagers , vol. 25 no. 4 2011; (p. 33)
— Review of The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Summer vol. 19 no. 4 2011; (p. 16)
— Review of Violin Lessons 2011 selected work prose ; The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
In Short : Nonfiction
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 September 2011; (p. 37)
— Review of Violin Lessons 2011 selected work prose ; The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story
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Off the Shelf : Stories
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 20 August 2011; (p. 34)
— Review of The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
In Short : Nonfiction
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 September 2011; (p. 37)
— Review of Violin Lessons 2011 selected work prose ; The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Summer vol. 19 no. 4 2011; (p. 16)
— Review of Violin Lessons 2011 selected work prose ; The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Fiction Focus : New Titles for Teenagers , vol. 25 no. 4 2011; (p. 33)
— Review of The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story -
The Latest Word
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Wet Ink , no. 26 2012; (p. 49)
— Review of The Honey Thief 2011 selected work short story
Last amended 29 Mar 2022 13:21:29