Goat DaysNajeeb’s dearest wish is to work in the Gulf and earn enough money to send back home. He achieves his dream only to be propelled by a series of incidents, grim and absurd, into a slave-like existence herding goats in the middle of the Saudi desert. Memories of the lush, verdant landscape of his village and of his loving family haunt Najeeb whose only solace is the companionship of goats. In the end, the lonely young man contrives a hazardous scheme to escape his desert prison. Goat Days was published to acclaim in Malayalam and became a bestseller. One of the brilliant new talents of Malayalam literature, Benyamin’s wry and tender telling transforms this strange and bitter comedy of Najeeb’s life in the desert into a universal tale of loneliness and alienation. |
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Common terms and phrases
airport Allah Allahu Akbar Arab Aravu Ravuthar arbab asked became began biryani block body Bombay called camels couldn’t cried dark day’s desert didn’t know dragged dreams drink dust escape everything eyes face fear feel fell felt fodder front gave goat’s Gulf hadn’t Hakeem Hameed hand happened he-goat head heard herd Himar Hindi hope Ibrahim Khadiri ikka inside khubus knew Kunjikka legs live looked maghreb Malayalam Malayalis Marymaimuna milk the goats mind Mohanlal morning mother’s moved mudeer Nabeel Najeeb never night one’s pain Pochakkari Ramani policeman prison rain reached realized Riyadh Sainu sand dune Sasi scary figure sheep sleep slowly smell snake somehow someone sorrow stood story Suddenly take the goats talk tent thought told took tried ummah uppah vehicle vessel visa waiting walked wanted wasn’t wind woke wondered words worry