Blue Fire

Blue Fire is comprised of two parts, short stories and poetry. Almost invariably, the pivotal thematic concern of the short stories is the precariousness of the human condition balanced by the resilience of the human spirit trying to outdo life at its own game. The stories constitute a poignant representation of human beings seeking to pick up the shattered rainbows of their lives. The creative impulse for the poems is equally idealistic and humanitarian for the large part. The poems are predominantly concerned with social and political issues that contribute to universal well being and to the common good. Stylistically, the stories have a charming simplicity and economy. They are woven around sparsely plotted situations. That Huda Orfali empowers us with a purer vision of our humanity at a time when violence, apathy, and corruption threaten to devour it leaves behind the gray ashes of a world is an impressive achievement. Book jacket.

Huda Orfali has been writing poetry and short stories ever since she was in elementary school, both in Arabic and in English. She started working on her collection Blue Fire in 1991 and has been adding or revising her work ever since. She also has a small collection of poetry in Arabic published in local magazines. The world of Blue Fire is similar to her world. Many stories reflect in an indirect way a personal experience. The characters of her fiction are always traumatized but they have the inner strength to defy their disabilities and live an accomplished life. They transcend life and assert their identity through living up to the choices they have to make, sometimes at the expense of their own lives.