At the Café and the Talisman

Reflecting distinct and important stages in the career of the preeminent Algerian writer Mohammed Dib, At the Cafe and The Talisman brings together two collections that embroider on themes relating to the Algerian War for Independence (1954–1962). At the Cafe, published in 1955, is mostly realistic in style and illustrates particularly well Dib’s uncanny talent for storytelling. The Talisman, published eleven years later, reflects Dib’s growing penchant for relating his perception of the magical or mystical qualities underlying everyday reality.