The Couscous Genie: Three Tunisian Tales — Mohamed Bacha

A compilation based on original Tunisian tales of the oral literature. Sabra and Sultan tells the story of an ambitious, starry-eyed young woman who lives in an isolated village in 16th century Tunisia. She lives a scant life with an unconventional husband, who is himself oppressed by The Council Of The Wise and Nobles! Sabra says 'Malicious Words' to her husband who divorces her. She flees the village gossip and mistreatment towards a divorced woman, to the forest, where she meets a lion, who strangely has eyes resembling those of a man. She lives happily with Sultan the lion, a semi animal/semi human life. Sultan is happy because he has always dreamed secretely to be a Man ! Until one day Sultan intercepts 'Maliciuos Words' too! The Couscous Genie: Yet another story where a genie realises wishes, but this Genie is very special and is typically Tunisian as he comes out of a Couscous steamer! The Hanged man and The Dead Girl relates the strange circumstances of a love story in the old Medina. A bizarre and almost supernatural story.