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“Moments” is as charming as it is whimsical, deftly toeing the line of the mystical realm. Each story in this anthology is brilliantly written and ingeniously catalogued without any definitive ending, prompting readers to ponder the possibility of myriad varied conclusions. Ali uses abstract narration to effectively express subjective experiences, brilliantly managing to put a different spin on mundane activities with such poise as to be voraciously read. Reading Moments is akin to embarking on a passage into the proverbial unknown, with Ali in the driver’s seat. So buckle up and prepare yourself for one heck of a ride!
– Roshelle C. Fernandes, Editor, Bahrain Traveler
“The follow-up to (Ali’s) novel QuixotiQ features a varied menu of glimpses into other people’s lives. From the struggles of the depressed to the persecution of the innocent in times of terror on to fairy tales and romance, it certainly offers something for everyone. Short stories are excellent when you have little time to get into a book or simply want something to dip into when the mood takes you and this collection is no exception. It may have been written by a Bahraini and printed here, but its scope is far wider and is bound to appeal to readers of all nationalities.”
– Sara Horton, Gulf Daily News
“Short story writing is an art in itself. To construct a work of fiction with a good story line and convincing characters with usually no more than 2500 words is extremely difficult. Many aspire to the craft but few succeed. Ali Al Saeed is a writer who undoubtedly succeeds in this genre. His stories are so well written they engage the reader’s interest from the first sentence or two right up to the end. That is something very difficult to handle in the short story format. There is such a refreshing flavour of originality in these stories. Ali is a master of his craft and I wish this collection of original stories the success it undoubtedly deserves.”
– Peter Tomlinson, author of ‘Stones of Petronicus’ & ‘The Times of Kadrik’
“Ali writes from inside out, forcing the reader under the skin of his characters to powerful effect.”
– Shay Youngblood, author of ‘Soul Kiss’ & ‘Black Girl in Paris’
“With this precisely observed collection of short stories, Ali Al Saeed has established himself firmly as an original force in
Bahrain literature, following his debut novel QuixotiQ. He powerfully reflects the poignancy of daily life with a light and almost dream-like touch, while weaving the magical into his realism with gems like ‘Lost’ and ‘Lemonade’. Regret and melancholy haunt many of these stories – especially ‘Goodbye Humanity’, an anthem for doomed people.”
– George Williams, Editor-in-Chief, Gulf Daily News
“With Moments, Ali Al Saeed sets out to explore what it is that makes us who we are with stories of love, loss, and identity. His stories span the breadth of emotion and depict the human condition with crystal clarity.”
– Cavan Terrill, publisher and author of ‘Blurred Line’
“The collection demonstrates a wide range of narrative genres with related themes of loneliness, being picked on by impersonal forces, searching (and questioning) one’s place and identity, not to overlook the violence, with several wonderful moments. I thought the author’s placement of the narrative manipulative to a certain degree.”
– Dr Paul Lumsden, English Instructor, Grant MacEwan College
