Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 42 votes)
5 stars
16(38%)
4 stars
9(21%)
3 stars
17(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
42 reviews
July 15,2025
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Only for the die-hard Bowles fan.

Bowles has always been a figure that divides opinions. Some love him for his unique style and unwavering determination, while others criticize his methods. But for the die-hard Bowles fan, there is no one quite like him.

The die-hard Bowles fan follows his every move, whether it's on the field or off. They analyze his strategies, discuss his decisions, and defend him against all critics.

For these fans, Bowles represents more than just a player or a coach. He is a symbol of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.

No matter what the outcome, the die-hard Bowles fan will always be there, cheering him on and believing in him. Because for them, Bowles is not just a name, but a legend in the making.

July 15,2025
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Paul Bowles


My quotes: "Writing seems to be a kind of immortality." "I don't want to die, I just want to change."


The diary contains Bowles' notes for one year. The truth is I don't know why specifically this year and why the diary isn't complete.


I didn't expect that I would read it. It was interesting and light. I felt that I was living with him in Tangier and this feeling indicates Bowles' ability to convey the text to the reader even if it's just short or small diaries.


What didn't please me was what he reached and fixed in his thinking about the situation of people during the month of Ramadan. Surely this aspect exists but it isn't common or prevalent.


What also pleased me is his knowledge of people's traditions, their dances, their festivals and also the places in Tangier.


This won't be my last experience with Bowles.


And I won't deny the effort of the translator who made me feel as if I was reading the text in its original language.


My rating is three and a half stars.
July 15,2025
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Diaries are ordinary, but sometimes there are some exciting, strange, and funny details in them. What the reader will notice most is the details of an old man. He talks about an unchanging daily routine, visits to friends and correspondents of channels for conducting interviews, and daily walks or staying in bed. The beauty of these diaries is that they give glimpses of life and people in Tanjah, and although some of it is annoying, such as what he mentioned about his annoyance from their bad mixture during Ramadan.


These diaries seem to be a simple record of the old man's daily life, but they also contain many interesting and thought-provoking details. Through his descriptions, we can see the different aspects of life in Tanjah, including the people, the culture, and the daily activities. The old man's annoyance with the bad mixture during Ramadan also reflects the different values and behaviors of people during this religious month.


Overall, these diaries are a valuable source of information about life in Tanjah, and they offer a unique perspective on the daily lives of ordinary people. They remind us that even in the most ordinary of lives, there are always interesting and meaningful details waiting to be discovered.

July 15,2025
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A book to read in an hour. A diary describing two years of Paul Bowles' life. Two years during which a lot supposedly happens - in Tangier, the Rolling Stones, Elizabeth Taylor, Forbes, Bertolucci and dozens of other figures from the artistic world are reported. The trouble is that while one could talk for hours about all these meetings, Bowles describes them laconically, reducing them to a minimum and focusing on the most important details.

Perhaps this is better: on YouTube, we can easily find multi-minute recordings of Bowles' conversations with Jagger; in the diary, it was enough to mention that the gentlemen talked and then Jagger said that he was tired because children woke him up in the morning, so he is going to sleep already.

Nevertheless - this is a nice picture of Tangier and its bohemians of the 20th century.
July 15,2025
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In the late 1980s, Daniel Halpern proposed to Paul Bowles that he keep a journal. Ostensibly, this was so that Halpern could publish the entries in a diary themed issue of Anteus. Eventually, Halpern published three years of the journal as a standalone publication, which runs about 100 pages. However, even that is a bit of a stretch as there are a lot of headers and margins.

This journal provides a snapshot of Bowles' life and work from 1987 - 1989. At this time, he was in his late 70s, roughly 40 years after most of the fiction I've read by him. It's a quick read that offers a glimpse into a rather unique life. Bowles was the aging ex-patriot cultural icon of Tangiers. He was famous both locally and internationally, but in the literary world, not as a movie star. This fame hadn't translated into great wealth for him, but he was comfortable.

The media was looking at him as a man soon to be 80, and it was a sort of victory lap time. Everyone wanted an interview, but he seemed to find it more of a hassle than flattering. It's hard to call him crotchety as he often seemed optimistic. And everyone who visited Tangiers wanted a piece of him, as if he was some kind of mascot for making it in North Africa, an ex-pat all star.

It's a glimpse into the life of a fascinating person, but it feels rather narrow. He wasn't a dedicated journalist, and he was approaching the end of his life (though he'd live another 10 years). So, it doesn't shed much light on those famous works from the 1950s and 1960s, his life with Jane, Aaron Copeland, why he chose Tangiers, or any of the other most interesting questions about Paul Bowles. These are probably better elucidated in his memoirs and collected letters.
July 15,2025
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Writing seems to offer a kind of immortality in its lowest form. This might have been understandable in the last century when the belief was widespread that life on this planet would continue indefinitely. However, since this expectation has become doubtful today, the desire to leave a mark behind seems like a waste. And even if the human species manages to survive for another century, it is unlikely that a book written in 1990 will have great significance for a person flipping through it in 2090, provided, of course, that this person is able to read.


This was part of a survey published in the newspaper Libération in March 1985, and the American writer Paul Bowles did not hesitate to include it in his diaries, which were translated into Arabic under the title Paul Bowles' Tangier Diaries (1987 - 1989).


Paul Bowles writes in his diaries over two years, reflecting on his daily life in Tangier with its pros and cons, recounting his relationships, visits, and the change that has befallen the city of Tangier.


Paul Bowles does not mention the writer Mohamed Choukri in his Tangier diaries, which is astonishing despite the personal relationship that linked the two writers on one hand, and the fact that Mohamed Choukri is associated with Tangier on the other hand.


And I am turning the last page of Paul Bowles' diaries. I tried to relate this neglect to the book written by Mohamed Choukri titled (Paul Bowles and the Solitude of Tangier). But my subsequent research made me realize that this work was published in 1996, that is, nine years after Paul Bowles wrote his diaries.


In the end, the question of Bowles' neglect of Choukri remains unanswered.


Paul Bowles' Tangier Diaries, a captivating memoir without literary language, or perhaps the translation did it justice in this regard, but the writer remains enjoyable and worthy of reading.

July 15,2025
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List the important diaries of the day, but they have a unique charm wrapped in an Arabic culture intertwined with a Western culture!

This combination creates a fascinating blend that offers a new perspective on daily life. The diaries may contain elements of traditional Arabic values and customs, while also incorporating modern Western ideas and influences.

It's like a cultural melting pot where the old and the new coexist harmoniously. You can find references to Arabic art, music, and cuisine, as well as mentions of Western fashion, technology, and entertainment.

This unique mix makes the diaries not only a记录 of daily events but also a window into a rich and diverse cultural world. It allows readers to explore and understand the complex interplay between different cultures and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of our global society.
July 15,2025
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Interesting:

All these people coming and going, bustling around in a flurry of activity. But there is Paul Bowles, remaining constant like a station master. He stands there, observing the comings and goings with a sense of detachment and yet a certain kind of interest.

He fills his days with both trivia and important events, approaching each with equal patience. The small details of daily life, the conversations, the little moments that pass by, he takes them all in. And when significant events occur, he doesn't rush or get overly excited. Instead, he handles them with a calm and collected demeanor, as if he has seen it all before.

Paul Bowles is like an anchor in the midst of the chaos, a constant presence that provides a sense of stability and continuity. His patience and ability to find interest in both the ordinary and the extraordinary make him a fascinating figure to observe.
July 15,2025
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The diary and calendar of Bowles may not seem spectacular at first glance.

However, the fact that his life was truly extraordinary makes them worthy of attention.

His account provides a decent portrayal of various aspects, including audiences, royalty, musical legends, and grumpy locals.

It also sheds light on his place in Tangier as an adopted Tangerine.

Perhaps it is the ordinary nature of the diary and calendar that makes the extraordinary details of his life even more captivating.

As we read through his entries, we are transported into a world filled with unique experiences and encounters.

Bowles' ability to document these moments in a relatively simple yet engaging way is a testament to his talent as a writer.

Overall, while the diary and calendar may not have the flashiness of some other works, they offer a valuable glimpse into the life of an extraordinary individual.

July 15,2025
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Paul Bowles has long been one of my favorite modern American writers.

His work "Days: A Tangier Diary (1987)" was inspired by a friend for a journal article. Bowles contends that his daily life is uninteresting. However, it appears that he has some fascinating insights into a wide range of things.

For instance, he offers observations on the root causes of the political unrest that was afflicting Sri Lanka at that time. He also writes about visits from print and TV journalists, as well as his thoughts on the violent effects of Ramadan fasting on some individuals.

Moreover, he shares personal anecdotes and observations about meeting famous visitors like Patricia Highsmith and Mick Jagger.

I would most definitely have read more of his journals if he had continued to keep them.

His unique perspective and the diverse range of topics he covers make his writing truly captivating.

It is a shame that we may never know what other interesting things he might have recorded in his journals.

Nonetheless, the excerpts that we do have provide a valuable glimpse into his life and mind.

July 15,2025
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A very light read.

Already in the later stage of his life, as his health was gradually failing, he made the decision to keep a diary.

This diary is essentially a concise summary of the things he accomplished on each specific day, the people he encountered, and the ongoing projects he was involved in.

Surprisingly, there is very little reminiscing or profound insight within its pages.

Nonetheless, it did manage to vividly remind me of his unique prose style. This, in turn, will surely lead me back to explore his fictional works once again.

It's quite interesting how this simple diary can have such an impact on my perception and curiosity regarding his literary creations.

Perhaps there are still hidden gems and deeper meanings waiting to be discovered within his fiction, which this diary has now piqued my interest to uncover.

I look forward to delving into his fictional world and experiencing the full range of his literary talent.

Who knows what new and exciting revelations await me as I embark on this literary journey?

July 15,2025
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Bowles is a significant figure whose works have had a profound impact. When reading about Bowles, it is essential to consider Mohamed Choukri's book about him. This book provides valuable insights into Bowles' life and work. It offers a unique perspective that enriches our understanding of this literary icon. By delving into the pages of Choukri's book, we can explore the relationship between Bowles and the city of Tangier, which was a source of inspiration for him. We can also gain a deeper appreciation for the themes and motifs that run through Bowles' works. Additionally, the book may shed light on some of the lesser-known aspects of Bowles' life and career. Overall, reading Mohamed Choukri's book about Bowles is an essential part of any study of this remarkable writer.

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