This blinding absence of light ,by Tahar Ben Jelloun - Surviving Darkness

This Blinding Absence of Light is not a book that is consumed, it's a book that consumes you. Tahar Ben Jelloun, a Moroccan-born French author, unravels an intricate tapestry of psychological endurance and human resilience in the face of an abysmal oblivion. It brings to life the unimaginable horrors of Tazmamart, an underground prison in Morocco, where soldiers were kept for years on end. Yet, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it turns this bleak tale into a powerful exposition of hope, resistance, and the indefatigable human spirit.

Ben Jelloun's work doesn't just recount the tale of the prisoners. Instead, it thrusts us into the suffocating darkness, invoking a raw sense of claustrophobia. The writing is tight, evocative, at times heartbreaking, and unflinchingly honest. His narrative voice, with its intimate, confessional, and conversational style, seizes your heart and refuses to let go, despite the claustrophobic conditions it describes.

"Silence is a beast that feeds on the agony of the soul. It must be tamed with the hope of a word, the desire for light, the need for a tomorrow." With these words, the protagonist finds a way to survive in the pitch-black existence he is thrust into. In the stifling silence, he finds strength, in the darkest shadows, he finds light.

One of the most striking elements of the book is the extraordinary use of language to depict the ordeal. The protagonist's voice carries an implacable determination to survive, as evidenced in the quote: "I clung to life with all the strength of despair. I would not go quietly into that long night." The beauty of these lines lies in their simplicity, in the way they convey a sense of fortitude that's larger than life.

One of the most haunting passages in the book is, "In the heart of this darkness, a brighter darkness took hold. It was not the darkness of the blind, but the absolute darkness of being buried alive. We had entered another world, one where humans become shadows of their former selves." This is a breathtaking encapsulation of the existential horror of their condition, and an eloquent commentary on how extreme circumstances can push humanity to its limits, and beyond.

This Blinding Absence of Light is a testament to the human spirit's unyielding resilience. As such, it is a difficult read. Not because of its complex language or challenging themes, but because it brings forth a heart-wrenching narrative that leaves readers questioning the bounds of human cruelty and the limits of human endurance. But like the protagonist, we too find hope in the darkness, reaffirming our faith in the human spirit, however blinding the absence of light might be.

Yet in its grim retelling, the book finds moments of sublime beauty. The prisoners, living corpses by any reasonable measure, still find ways to connect, to share stories, to imagine a world beyond their subterranean hell. "We are but stories in the dark, holding onto our existence through words," says the protagonist, adding a beautiful, melancholic touch to this tale of survival.

In conclusion, Ben Jelloun's This Blinding Absence of Light is a dark, illuminating, and moving masterpiece that deals with the unspeakable. It is a brutal journey, yes, but one that should be undertaken. Its evocative prose and poignant narrative reveal the best and worst of humanity, while its unflinching look at a horrific episode of human history serves as a reminder of the power of resilience.

You can purchase this book here

https://www.amazon.com/Blinding-Absence-Light-Jelloun-2006-01-31/dp/B01FGKSRP8