{"product_id":"the-puppet-ibrahim-al-koni-9780292723351","title":"The Puppet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Puppet\u003c\/i\u003e, a mythic tale of greed and political corruption, traces the rise, flourishing, and demise of a Saharan oasis community. Aghulli, a noble if obtuse man who has been chosen leader of the oasis, hankers after the traditional nomadic pastoralist life of the Tuareg. He sees commerce (understood as including trade in gold, marriage, agriculture, and even recreation) as the prime culprit in the loss of the nomadic ethos. Thus he is devastated to learn that his supporters are hoarding gold. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The novel's title notwithstanding, the author has stressed repeatedly that he is not a political author. He says that \u003ci\u003eThe Puppet\u003c\/i\u003e portrays a good man who has been asked to lead a corrupt society. The subplot about star-crossed young lovers introduces a Sufi theme of the possibility of transforming carnal into mystical love. \u003ci\u003eThe Puppet\u003c\/i\u003e, though, is first and foremost a gripping, expertly crafted tale of bloody betrayal and revenge inspired by gold lust and an ancient love affair. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Ibrahim Al-Koni\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0292723350\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780292723351\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Ctr for Middle Eastern Studies Ut-Austin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/01\/2010\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 129\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.43lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.57w x 0.33d","brand":"Ibrahim Al-Koni","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43981531447551,"sku":"9780292723351","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_447e8d6e-a3e5-47a9-a0e0-068aeddef640.jpg?v=1683256126","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-puppet-ibrahim-al-koni-9780292723351","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}