Overview

Love and Memory by Jamal Gabobe is a poignant and powerful collection of poetry and prose that explores themes of exile, identity, longing, and political trauma. Written during the 1980s while the author lived in the United States, the work reflects his emotional and intellectual struggle to reconcile his Somali heritage with his American experience. Gabobe's voice is deeply introspective, weaving personal memories with historical commentary, particularly on the brutal regime of Somali dictator Mohammed Siyad Barre. Through lyrical meditations on love, displacement, and resistance, the collection captures the pain of diaspora and the resilience of the human spirit. The book is divided into two main sections-Love and Memory-each offering a distinct yet interconnected narrative. In Love, Gabobe reflects on relationships, alienation, and the search for meaning in a foreign land, often set against the backdrop of Seattle. Memory shifts toward political critique and remembrance, chronicling the horrors of dictatorship and the emotional toll of witnessing a homeland in crisis. With vivid imagery and raw honesty, Gabobe's work speaks to anyone who has grappled with belonging, loss, and the complexities of cultural identity. This collection is not only a literary achievement but also a historical testimony, making it a compelling addition to contemporary diasporic literature.

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9781614573616

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Reviews

""Memory, in Jamal Gabobe's poems, is larger than one poet's remembering-uprootedness and violence are exposed and transcended."" -Selma Waldman, Artist ""The authentic exile's tone...love, indignation, and helplessness."" -Jack Brenner, University of Washington

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