Now that it's February, our book club has started its next book (#97), The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles. I just started it today, and I'm already liking it a lot. It's set in North Africa, just after WWII. Maybe I'm enjoying it so much because that's one of the places my Dad was stationed in WWII, and he's told me a few stories about it. The vivid descriptions of the sounds, smells, and sights definitely make me imagine what it was like at that time and place.
I just finished a chapter that made me say, "Aha!" A story was told about 3 sisters wanting to drink tea in the Sahara. Well, one of my favorite bands from the '80's was the Police, and their song "Tea in the Sahara" is about the story in the book! Here are the lyrics:
My sisters and I
Have the wish before we die
And it may sound strange
As if our minds are deranged
Please don't ask us why
Beneath the sheltering sky
We have this strange obsession
You have the means in your possession
Tea in the sahara with you
Tea in the sahara with you
The young man agreed
He would satisfy their need
So they danced for this pleasure
With a joy you could not measure
They would wait for him here
The same place every year
Beneath the sheltering sky
Across the desert he would fly
Tea in the sahara with you
Tea in the sahara with you
The sky turned to black
Would he ever come back
They would climb a high dune
They would pray to the moon
But he'd never return
So the sisters would burn
As their eyes searched the land
With their cups still full of sand
Tea in the sahara with you
Tea in the sahara with you
It even uses the phrase "the sheltering sky" twice! I love connections like that. Hey! Synchronicity!
3 comments:
how cool that the two are connected and you have a book you enjoy reading.
hugs, lj
I picked up your journal from Lisa Jo's suggestion in hers. Seems both our Dad's were in North Africa during WW2, but mine, who spent most of the time in Tobruk, was in the Italian army, as he was born in Bologna, Italy. My Dad was captured in Tobruk; did your Dad capture any Italians? (j/K) ~Mary ;-0
Mary, wouldn't THAT be ironic! Dad has never told me lots of details about much of it, but he's mentioned guarding prisoners. Dad also spent time in Italy, I believe after it was occupied by Allied forces. He still talks about how grateful he is that he was able to see Rome, etc. He loves history, and I'm sure spending time in Italy gave him that.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
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