"Struggle has delivered a new and independent country to the world, Eritrea, and struggle has delivered a new and independent poet, Ararat Iyob. Blankets of Sand: Poetry of War and Exile is direct yet lyrical testimony to the social and political experience of a wide range of individual women, children and men in Eritrea and its diaspora, including the poet herself."
--Charles Cantalupo, Editor, The World of Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Ngugi wa Thiong'o: Texts and Contexts (both AWP 1995)

"Blankets of Sand is unique, not merely because it is the first collection of Eritrean poetry produced in English, but mainly because it ably expresses so much about those of us who went through the Eritrean experiences of struggle and exile."
--Dr. Ghirmai Negash, University of Leiden

"I have been a great admirer of Ararat Iyob's poems for many years. I can think of no one else who can convey so powerfully the desolation of war and the misery of exile but at the same time evoke the wonderful feel, smells, and sounds of that brave little city of Asmara. She is very special poet who makes us long for our return to Eritrea reborn."
--Prof. Roy Pateman
Author of Eritrea: Even the Stones are Burning

"Ararat offers her art, and through Ararat, Eritrea offers her heart to the world in Blankets of Sand. Uncover Ararat's book and you may discover Eritrea."
-Dr. Reesom Haile, Eritrean Poet and Winner of the 1997 Eritrean Raimok Literary Award

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ararat Iyobis an Eritrean-American who was born in Asmara. A former political prisoner, she became a refugee in the Sudan before making her way to the United States. Ms. Ararat Iyob is a graduate of the Ohio State University, College of Business, and currently makes her home between Arlington, Virginia, and Asmara, Eritrea.

CATEGORY
Poetry/AFRICA