The Sky Is Smoking Cigarettes

War does nothing but reopen old wounds before it arises. This is how the events of Wajdi al-Ahdal's new novel take place. The author is considered one of the most famous modern Yemeni novelists. "The Sky Is Smoking Cigarettes" (Al Samaou Todakhinou Al Sajaer) takes the reader across different periods of change in Yemen through the eyes of Zafer, the protagonist. The story focuses on the dreams of a theatrical troupe, the actors of which were separated after the war that rendered survival the biggest of dreams.

It also highlights how corruption marginalizes nationals whilst allowing privileged westerners to seize the best opportunities and occupy the highest positions. Within this accurate multi-voiced narrative, al-Ahdal dedicates a part of his novel to the day-to-day of the war, and the lives of people who face the choice to both migrate or immigrate. Sometimes they choose to run for love, as the common rule of lovers states that there is no survival without love.

Abir, Nabat, Najiya, Kifaya, Salma, Ashjan...and many other women show up in Zafer's life and cross his path; they are not just women, they are the ones who motivate Zafer and carry his attempts at digging a hole out of this grave with the power of love.