The sky is smoking wine

War only serves to reopen what was already fractured. This is how events unfold in the new novel by Wajdi al-Ahdal, one of the most prominent novelists in contemporary Yemen. His poem, "The Sky Smokes the Promotion," takes the reader through various stages of Yemen's transformations via the character of Mismar. It lingers on the shattered dreams of the operational hall, dreams that are shattered after the war, where survival becomes the greatest aspiration. It also touches upon the corruption that plagues the average citizen as the privileged old man ascends to the highest positions and opportunities.
In a narrative structured around a multi-voiced courtroom, Al-Ahdal dedicates space to the nights of war and the lives of residents facing the choices of both geographical and permanent migration. Why did they choose the sweet escape, based on the common belief among lovers that there is no salvation except through love? Abeer, Nabat, Najia, Kifaya, Salma, Ashjan, and other Dutch women appear in Zafar's life and, not as the accused woman, express what motivates and fuels his desire to create a crack in this absence through love. War does nothing but reopen old wounds before they even surface. This is how Wajdi Al-Ahdal's new novel unfolds. The author is considered one of the most prominent contemporary Yemeni novelists. "The Sky Smokes Cigarettes" (Al-Samaa Tudakhino Al-Sajir) takes the reader through different periods of change in Yemen through the eyes of its protagonist, Zafar. The novel revolves around the dreams of a theater troupe whose members were separated after a war that made survival the greatest dream. It also highlights how corruption marginalizes ordinary citizens while allowing privileged Westerners to seize the best opportunities and occupy the highest positions. Within this intricate, multi-voiced narrative, Al-Ahdal dedicates a portion of his novel to the diaries of war and the lives of those facing the choice of emigration. Sometimes they choose to flee in search of love, for the common saying among lovers is that there is no survival without love. Abeer, Nabat, Najia, Kifaya, Salma, Ashjan... and many others appear in Dhafer's life and cross his path; they are not merely women, but rather the ones who inspire Dhafer and carry his attempts to escape this tomb with the power of love.