Shubeik Lubeik

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed (2022) 528 pages

Regan and Kara previously reviewed this on the blog.

"Your wish is my command." We've all heard a genie say that. If your wish is to be told many stories, this graphic novel is for you. It was originally three volumes in Arabic. I loved the art work and adapted pretty quickly to reading right to left. With multiple flashbacks there are more than just three stories about how three first-class wishes sold at Shokry's kiosk are used. There are two parts to Aziza's story, when she is young and when she is middle aged. Mostly it is about the lack of justice for the poor in the Egyptian justice system. There is one really in depth story about college student Nour's mental health (with a brief tangent about the talking donkey) in part two. Part three is so good! We get a history lesson from the perspective of Abu Shokry, Shokry's father, covering 1954 to 1980, then with Shokry carrying on to 2020. Shokry, the kiosk owner, is a giving person and wants to help others. His father's generation taught him that devout Muslims do not use wishes, so he really agonizes over the last first-class wish that hasn't sold. Hagga Shawqia is a regular at Shokry's kiosk, and we learn much more about her from her friends and family as she nears the end of her life. There is tragedy and triumph. She is such a fascinating character, a "gutsy gal." We check in with Aziza and Nour. The book subverts the traditional end with a darkly hilarious bow on the talking donkey story too. This was such a fun read.
 

Shubeik Lubeik

 Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed, 528 pages.

This Egyptian graphic novel takes place in a version of Earth where wishes are a real resource that can be mined, sold, processed, and regulated. Shokry has three first class wishes, inherited from his father, for sale at his little market stall. First class wishes are the kind of wish that can change the world (and carry less danger than lower class wishes), but Shokry cannot use them himself because of his religious convictions, and no one wants to buy them because a shop like his is not the kind of place where someone expects to get genuine first class wishes. The story follows Aziza, Nour, and ultimately Shokry himself as they are driven by pain and grief to find the right way to use these wishes.

This was a really excellent graphic novel. The characters were complex and engrossing, and I was completely captured by the story (I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting even when I really should have gone to bed). It also felt like a story that was really strengthened by the medium it was in. I felt that Mohamed's art really helped capture the emotional weight of the story, and the fact that it wasn't all text kept it stark and efficient. I would highly recommend this book, as does Kara!

Shubeik Lubeik

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed, 528 pages

In the world of Shubeik Lubeik, wishes have real impact, from national crises like drought or epidemic to the frivolous whims of the rich (ever want a dinosaur or flying car? A wish'll do that for you.). As with all resources, however, wishes are regulated, rated, and a bureaucratic nightmare. Third class wishes are the common ones that often go awry (like wishing for a new car and getting a toy version) while first class wishes are rare, expensive, and must be saved for very important needs. Kiosk owner Shokry has three first-class wishes that he needs to sell, and the story follows the wishes as they are purchased and used by a grieving widow, a depressed college student, and finally by Shokry himself, whose desire to use the wish to save a dying friend is in deep conflict with his religious convictions against using wishes.

Originally published in Arabic in Egypt, the book is read from right to left (and, to our western eyes, from back to front), which can take a few pages to get used to. But any temporary discomfort is well worth pushing through, as the book is a profound meditation on everything from privilege to mental health to religion and regret. And it's also funny! An excellent story with fully realized characters and worldbuilding, beautifully told. I just wish I'd read this before the annual UCPL Best Books of the Year list, as this definitely would've been on it.

Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder 304 pages

This seems to be almost a throwback in tone to Little Orphan Annie. Penelope is a bored, rich girl who wishes for something interesting to happen. You know that line, be careful what you wish for? Before you know it, her parents lose their fortune, their mansion and end up just about broke and move to a ramshackle house filled with eccentric people. Of course, they learn what is truly important in life and lonely, Penelope makes her first friend. A bit old-fashioned, but somewhat charming. Lots of unique characters.