The sky smokes cigarettes

War does nothing but reopen what was already cracked. This is how events unfold in the new novel by Wajdi Al-Ahdal, considered Yemen's most famous contemporary novelist. "The Sky Smoking Cigarettes" takes the reader through various stages of Yemen's transformation through the character of Dhafer. It lingers on the dreams of a theater troupe whose actors were scattered after the war, which made survival the greatest dream. It also examines the corruption that marginalizes the local people while elevating the privileged Westerner to the highest positions and opportunities.
In a tight, multi-voiced narrative structure, Al-Ahdal devotes space to the daily lives of war and the lives of the inhabitants who face the choices of both geographical and eternal migration. Sometimes they choose to escape with love, in accordance with the common rule of lovers that there is no salvation except through love. Abeer, Nabat, Najia, Kifaya, Salma, Ashjan... and other women who appear in and pass through Zafer's life are not just women, as much as they motivate and fuel his attempts to create a gap in this absence through love. War does nothing but reopen old wounds before it arises. This is how the events of Wajdi al-Ahdal's new novel take place. The author is considered one of the most famous modern Yemeni novelists. “The Sky Is Smoking Cigarettes” (Al Samaou Todakhinou Al Sajaer) takes the reader across different periods of change in Yemen through the eyes of Zafer, the protagonist. The story focuses on the dreams of a theatrical troupe, the actors of which were separated after the war that rendered survival the biggest of dreams. It also highlights how corruption marginalizes nationals whilst allowing privileged westerners to seize the best opportunities and occupy the highest positions.
Within this accurate multivoiced narrative, al Ahdal dedicates a part of his novel to the day today of the war, and the lives of people who face the choice to both migrate or immigrate. Sometimes they choose to run for love, as the common rule of lovers states that there is no survival without love. Abir, Nabat, Najiya, Kifaya, Salma, Ashjan…and many other women show up in Zafer’s life and across his path; They are not just women, they are the ones who motivate Zafer and carry his attempts at digging a hole out of this grave with the power of love.