Article archive / December 1, 2015
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
The Gardener of Baghdad by Ahmad Ardalan
I am currently reading The Gardener of Baghdad which is by Ahmad Ardalan. This book tells the story of a man, Adnan, who owns a bookshop in war-torn Baghdad. Tired of the dangerous bombings and relentless political unrest in his city, he considers selling his shop to move to a different place. As Adnan is sorting through some of the books in his shop, he comes across a book which contains a memoir which was written years before by a man known as Ali. Ali's memoir tells a story of resiliency as Ali was orphaned in childhood but, through hard work and determination, he became the Gardener of Baghdad. Through Ali's fame as a gardener, he meets a young British woman who is living in the city with her father, a British general. Much of Ali's story centers around his relationship with Mary which is challenged by the fact that they come from different cultures and religions. As Adnan reads the story of Ali and Mary, he is deeply moved and can hardly put the book down as he is so captured by the story. I have had the same reaction when reading this lovely book. I am in the middle of the book and cannot wait to finish it. This book touches my love of books and a good story as well as my love of gardening.
Reading this book also brought to mind several other books which touch on the power of books and of story telling. As psychologists, we are drawn to the stories told by others as it is a part of our daily work. For those who love a good story, I can also recommend 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. This book has also been made into a movie with Ann Bankroft and Anthony Hopkins. 84 Charing Cross Road tells the story of a friendship which builds over 20 years through a series of letters exchanged between a clerk in an antiquarian book store in London and a woman who has a passion for reading but cannot find the often obscure books she seeks in New York City where she lives. The two parties become long distance friends through their love of literature. The letters they exchange are charming and witty.
Finally, I would recommend The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore by William Joyce. This book was also an Oscar winning short film made in Shreveport. It tells the tale of Morris Lessmore who loses his book collection to a storm reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina. This book has been described as a “book about books” but also as a “deeper story of love, loss and healing.”
The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmoree And one more book–my Christmas Cozy Mystery will be the Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke which I will begin reading after I by William joyce finish the Gardener of Baghdad. Joanne Fluke is a prolific writer of cozy mysteries which feature a woman who owns a cookie shop in a small town in Minnesota. The books also gives cookie recipes. I have only tried one of her recipes, a chocolate chip cookie recipe, but it was a hit!
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