Lots of little details worth digging into

Calista 2022-03-27 09:01:13

Excellent political metaphor.
The first half of the male protagonist's encounter in Saudi Arabia is a wonderful reproduction of Kafka's absurdity. It's actually quite understandable.
Interestingly, some small details:
when hunting the wolf, the wolf did not attack the sheep, so the male protagonist did not shoot the wolf.
The image of China here is relatively simple: Chinese doctors help with operations, and Chinese people have twice robbed the male protagonist of their jobs, not by any glorious means. Please, you are all trying to understand the Middle East, why don't you have the patience and interest to understand China?
The part of the female doctor swimming naked is so handsome~
In the end, the female doctor burst into tears after listening to the male protagonist's story of camping, and didn't understand the reason...

View more about A Hologram for the King reviews

Extended Reading

A Hologram for the King quotes

  • Alan: [in an email] Dear Dr. Hakem. I hope this message finds you well. Your skill made quick work of that cyst. So I want to thank you again. I've been feeling increasingly energized since the operation and I've already been able to transfer that energy to others successfully. The only catch is now I don't have anything to blame my problems on. That little growth explained everything, and now it's gone. I am sincerely grateful, though, I think. Alan Clay.

    Zahra: [her response] Dear Mr. Clay, even though it went a little harder than I expected, it was a simple extraction. Usually the discovery that you're not dying of a malignant tumor leaves most people with their spirits high. But you are not most people, are you? Dr. Zahra Hakem.

    Alan: Dear Dr. Hakem, actually, my spirits are very high indeed, maybe too high. I'm feeling a little dizzy. The cause is mysterious. But I have felt a strange new lump in my back. I'm no doctor, but it feels like a rubber glove. Is there a chance you left one? Sometimes people leave things like gloves with someone they like in hopes their retrieval will provide an excuse to see that someone again. Yours, Alan.

    Zahra: Dear Alan, I actually might have left something. I'm thinking a sponge? Or maybe part of a snack I ate during the surgery. I think I need to see you again. Perhaps out of the hospital? We don't want to worry your insurers. Zahra.

  • [last lines]

    Alan: Keep believing, Kit, 'cause I believe in you. You're strong and young and you have time. I'm not so young, but I have to tell you, there's a force in my life now that makes me feel strong again. And I feel that there's time. There *must* be time.