Genre: Short Stories, Magical Realism
Author: Ak Welsapar
Translator: Lois Kapila, Youssef Azemoun
Year published: 2018
TWs: Violence, Death, Animal Cruelty
Rating: 3/5
Like with Tajikistan, finding a book from Turkmenistan was a real challenge, especially since it’s known for being one of the most repressive countries with heavy censorship. Many authors there face arrest or exile, and their books often get banned. Ak Welsapar, the author of this collection, is no exception, living in exile in Sweden. This collection gives us a rare peek into life under such an oppressive regime, the short stories mixing magical realism with the harsh realities of an oppressive government.
‘If you cannot find an enemy of the people, then you become an enemy of the people!’
Synopsis (spoiler-free, always)
So, every story in this collection had something special but I’ve written a short synopsis for each of my favourite ones from the collection.
‘Death of the Snake Catcher’ is the title story and centers around an aging snake catcher who faces off against a deadly cobra in the desert. Through this encounter, the story explores the relationship between humans and nature and survival.
In ‘Love in Lilac’ (my personal favourite), a young Turkmen student falls in love with a Swedish girl, but their relationship is doomed due to the controlling forces of the state. Set during the Soviet era, this story explores the impact of political interference on personal lives.
Another story, ‘One of the Seven is a Scoundrel’, also takes place during the Soviet era and follows a group of harvesters who must pick one of their own to falsely accuse as an enemy of the state. It captures the paranoia and fear that people lived under during this period.
Lastly, in ‘On the Emerald Shore’, a mysterious mist blankets the sea, leading locals to believe it’s the work of those who had recently drowned in the area. At a local bar, patrons play billiards and speculate about the tragic events, especially focusing on the most recent victim, who was notably strong and healthy.
‘Albescent, rising up off the water, it languidly wrapped around the shore, then the town, little by little covering the entire surroundings.’
My Thoughts
What I liked most about ‘Death of the Snake Catcher’ was how Welsapar used simple, straightforward language to show deep emotions. There’s always a feeling of tension in the background, whether it’s fear of the government, fear of nature, or fear of other people. The stories feel like fables, but with a modern twist, and you can tell that Welsapar really cares about his characters, even when they’re facing terrible situations.
The story ‘Love in Lilac’ really stuck with me. It beautifully portrayed the well-known trope of star-crossed lovers but with the unique twist of state control looming over their every move. The slow breakdown of their relationship was heartbreaking but showed the emotional cost of living under such a repressive system.
On the other hand, some stories felt a little too abstract for me, especially the ones that relied heavily on magical realism. While I appreciate the mix of styles, a few stories didn’t grab my attention as much because they were harder to relate to. The pacing in some parts was also a bit slow, which made it difficult to stay engaged all the way through.
That being said, if you’re curious about Turkmenistan and want a book that gives you both history and a bit of mystery about the elusive country, this one is worth checking out.
Happy Reading!
About the Author
- The Revenge of the Foxes
- The Tale of Aypi
Find more on his Goodreads page!
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