Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A powerful, capacious, and profound book, rich in intelligence and lyric dexterity that fuses poetry’s two great promises, wonder and testament, into crystalline focus.” —Ocean Vuong, author of Time Is a Mother and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
“The poems in Mosab Abu Toha’s Forest of Noise are urgent, prayerful howls in the bleakest of nights. Necessary, and wrought out of both terror and truth, these poems sing and weep in a rough and haunting harmony. Abu Toha’s work begs the reader to pay close attention as each poetic line is, at its heart, a lifeline to survival.” —Ada Limón, US Poet Laureate, author of The Hurting Kind
“If literature has any power to change the world or resist injustice, I think it must lie in the astounding poems of Mosab Abu Toha.” —Noreen Masud, The Guardian
“Abu Toha, a notable Palestinian poet, speaks of the besieged and the dead in a register that veers deftly, often brutally, between the plainspoken and the lyrical. . . . In this penetrating collection, poetry is not a balm; it is an elegy.” —The New Yorker, “Best Books of 2024”
“This harrowing collection highlights the importance of bearing poetic witness in times of violence and oppression. . . . [Abu Toha] uses stark diction, a compassionate tone, and an unshrinking documentary eye to construct this haunting book.” —Electric Literature, “Best Poetry Collections of 2024”
“[Abu Toha’s poems] bore not just the stamp of urgent witness but also provided a way of seeing, a way of preserving humanity, that seemed destined to be completely and violently erased, buried, under the rubble. . . . These poems are reports or memorials or testimonies, yes, but they rise as a cry, above all the sounds in this forest of noise, a cry for peace, peace, peace.” —Amitava Kumar, via Substack
“A relentless, restless drive to tell the stories of all those left behind. . . . [Abu Toha is] lit by an intensity… a kind of sober fever of witness, the compulsion of a bright-eyed Mariner. . . . This poetry is an act of witness, of reportage. . . . It’s poetry as memorial, too.” —Aida Edemariam, The Guardian
“How do despair and hope feed each other? When will it end? How can we make art amid the rubble? How can we not? … Mosab grapples with poetry’s ability to convey the horror of life in Gaza under Israeli assault. . . . When you reach [the] last words, close the book. Turn it over. Imagine the hand on the cover is the poet’s and clasp it. Reread the poems. Call, once more, for an end to genocide.” —Eman Quotah, The New Arab
“An unvarnished view of war and its repercussions... [Abu Toha's] work has visceral immediacy.” —Elisabeth Egan, The New York Times
“A split sensibility of whimsy and agony, wonder and torment. . . . What Abu Toha makes of this hard material is disarming. His voice tends to gentleness and wonder, nosing out beauty in all its small places… [and] syntax is warped and wrecked by the pace of destruction.” —Yasmine Seale, 4Columns
“This new collection from a renowned Palestinian poet offers a glimpse into life in a besieged Gaza and what it’s like to survive and find care, even hope, under the most dire of conditions.” —The New York Times, “24 Works of Poetry and Fiction to Read This Fall”
“Abu Toha takes up the mantle of both poet and historian, chronicling the violence he has inherited, witnessed, and survived… his poetry is both a blueprint and a legacy... unwavering.” —Destiny O. Birdsong, Poets & Writers Magazine
“Blistering and mournful... Abu Toha eloquently captures the brutality and urgency of the present.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“More than any news reporting, this heartbreaking collection makes vividly real the suffering in Gaza and what it’s like to face huge, ongoing loss. . . . Abu Toha can be plainspoken, then turn around with a stark, horrific image that drops like hot coals. . . . One mourns with Abu Tohu as he asks his dead brother, 'Will my bones find you when I die?' Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“Harrowing but powerful. . . . As good poetry often does, Forest of Noise will require you to ask some of the most difficult questions of our time: What kind of world are we living in? What kind of world are we leaving to the children?” —BookPage (starred review)
“Mosab Abu Toha carries a vast library in his heart. His books hold the names of people and places covered in drones and rubble. His books hold letters, odes, reports, and elegies; generations of gardens and graves. Abu Toha opens his library to us in Forest of Noise. His poems resonate with undeniable immediacy upon a first reading and continue ringing more and more urgently with every subsequent reading. Abu Toha writes with a brilliance that makes anyone who encounters these astonishing poems both witness and kin.” —Terrance Hayes, author of So to Speak
“Heartbreaking, evocative, transformative poetry of witness to the horror of warfare. It happens in real time, as we turn pages. This is powerful, impactful poetry, a book you won’t soon forget. Forgetting is not an option. Buy two copies. One for yourself. Another for any soldier you might meet in the street.” —llya Kaminsky, author of Deaf Republic
“In Forest of Noise, his astonishing second book, Mosab Abu Toha is the essential poet embodying the humanity of Gaza, the precious hopes and dreams of all humans, the searing collective cries of children, the indelible honest conscience, the heart and soul. Miraculously he has continued speaking and writing through the horrific genocide of his people and beloved place. His elemental poems dissolve the empty rhetoric and posturing with simple, striking truth. Not blows. Who else among us founds a library in our early twenties? Today Mosab's books may be crushed, but his most powerful spirit is not.” —Naomi Shihab Nye, author of The Tiny Journalist
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t skip this book! You’ll read it & reread it every chance you get.
It will make you weep & Smile. It will give the reader an honest description of what is happening in Gaza, Palestine prior to the genocide & The ethnic cleansing of the indigenous semitic palestinian people. An extraordinary poet writer. Looking forward to his next book 📖.
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone must read this book
There are no words for how this collection touched me. its very difficult to put a face on war when it is so far away and the news covers it through such a limited and often political lens. Mohab describes with exquisite and heart breaking details the impact of the war on the daily lives of those who live and are dying in Gaza. It takes courage to read this and it is essential reading for our times. You cannot come away from this book without being deeply concerned about the pervasive suffering being experienced in Gaza. I am amazed at the resilience of this poet who carries unspeakable sorrow. He has found words for unspeakable experiences.
5.0 out of 5 stars tough stuff to read..
But lovely and dark and necessary. So much pain and love and bearing witness. Worth listening to in the author’s voice.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant poetry
Brilliant
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Poems
"Forest of Noise" is a very good poetry book. Its beautiful images and poetic lines create a striking contrast with the stark reality of the subject matter. It is tender, heartfelt poetry written in an eloquent voice.Some of the poems I loved, and some didn't grab me in the same manner. Overall, it is a very striking book of poetry, and I look forward to reading more of this poet's work in the future.
5.0 out of 5 stars Sincere words on paper.
Words printed touch ones heart!I recommend this book!A great coffee table book.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book depicting suffering of so many people
Very heavy subject, can't binge read
5.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly Moving
I've read through this book many times since it arrived, reading each poem like a meditation as I wish for peace and cry for the profound loss and unbelievable anguish and sorrow captured in Mosab Abu Toha's words.
Powerful poetry
Powerful, moving poetry from the most unimaginable experiences
Opened my eyes wide to the horrors of Gaza!
These are not poems. These are graves that made me bury myself!I have translated a few in my language Marathi- for my people who may not read graves carved in English language.
I have ALREADY RECEIVEDthis book!!! I don’t need/want another copy!
Very relevant poetry
Sad poetry that reflect reality in Gaza
Sehr emotionale Gedichte
🍉❤️
Visit the Knopf Store
Forest of Noise: Poems
AED11375
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
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All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
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Visit the Knopf Store
Forest of Noise: Poems
AED11375
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A powerful, capacious, and profound book, rich in intelligence and lyric dexterity that fuses poetry’s two great promises, wonder and testament, into crystalline focus.” —Ocean Vuong, author of Time Is a Mother and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
“The poems in Mosab Abu Toha’s Forest of Noise are urgent, prayerful howls in the bleakest of nights. Necessary, and wrought out of both terror and truth, these poems sing and weep in a rough and haunting harmony. Abu Toha’s work begs the reader to pay close attention as each poetic line is, at its heart, a lifeline to survival.” —Ada Limón, US Poet Laureate, author of The Hurting Kind
“If literature has any power to change the world or resist injustice, I think it must lie in the astounding poems of Mosab Abu Toha.” —Noreen Masud, The Guardian
“Abu Toha, a notable Palestinian poet, speaks of the besieged and the dead in a register that veers deftly, often brutally, between the plainspoken and the lyrical. . . . In this penetrating collection, poetry is not a balm; it is an elegy.” —The New Yorker, “Best Books of 2024”
“This harrowing collection highlights the importance of bearing poetic witness in times of violence and oppression. . . . [Abu Toha] uses stark diction, a compassionate tone, and an unshrinking documentary eye to construct this haunting book.” —Electric Literature, “Best Poetry Collections of 2024”
“[Abu Toha’s poems] bore not just the stamp of urgent witness but also provided a way of seeing, a way of preserving humanity, that seemed destined to be completely and violently erased, buried, under the rubble. . . . These poems are reports or memorials or testimonies, yes, but they rise as a cry, above all the sounds in this forest of noise, a cry for peace, peace, peace.” —Amitava Kumar, via Substack
“A relentless, restless drive to tell the stories of all those left behind. . . . [Abu Toha is] lit by an intensity… a kind of sober fever of witness, the compulsion of a bright-eyed Mariner. . . . This poetry is an act of witness, of reportage. . . . It’s poetry as memorial, too.” —Aida Edemariam, The Guardian
“How do despair and hope feed each other? When will it end? How can we make art amid the rubble? How can we not? … Mosab grapples with poetry’s ability to convey the horror of life in Gaza under Israeli assault. . . . When you reach [the] last words, close the book. Turn it over. Imagine the hand on the cover is the poet’s and clasp it. Reread the poems. Call, once more, for an end to genocide.” —Eman Quotah, The New Arab
“An unvarnished view of war and its repercussions... [Abu Toha's] work has visceral immediacy.” —Elisabeth Egan, The New York Times
“A split sensibility of whimsy and agony, wonder and torment. . . . What Abu Toha makes of this hard material is disarming. His voice tends to gentleness and wonder, nosing out beauty in all its small places… [and] syntax is warped and wrecked by the pace of destruction.” —Yasmine Seale, 4Columns
“This new collection from a renowned Palestinian poet offers a glimpse into life in a besieged Gaza and what it’s like to survive and find care, even hope, under the most dire of conditions.” —The New York Times, “24 Works of Poetry and Fiction to Read This Fall”
“Abu Toha takes up the mantle of both poet and historian, chronicling the violence he has inherited, witnessed, and survived… his poetry is both a blueprint and a legacy... unwavering.” —Destiny O. Birdsong, Poets & Writers Magazine
“Blistering and mournful... Abu Toha eloquently captures the brutality and urgency of the present.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“More than any news reporting, this heartbreaking collection makes vividly real the suffering in Gaza and what it’s like to face huge, ongoing loss. . . . Abu Toha can be plainspoken, then turn around with a stark, horrific image that drops like hot coals. . . . One mourns with Abu Tohu as he asks his dead brother, 'Will my bones find you when I die?' Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“Harrowing but powerful. . . . As good poetry often does, Forest of Noise will require you to ask some of the most difficult questions of our time: What kind of world are we living in? What kind of world are we leaving to the children?” —BookPage (starred review)
“Mosab Abu Toha carries a vast library in his heart. His books hold the names of people and places covered in drones and rubble. His books hold letters, odes, reports, and elegies; generations of gardens and graves. Abu Toha opens his library to us in Forest of Noise. His poems resonate with undeniable immediacy upon a first reading and continue ringing more and more urgently with every subsequent reading. Abu Toha writes with a brilliance that makes anyone who encounters these astonishing poems both witness and kin.” —Terrance Hayes, author of So to Speak
“Heartbreaking, evocative, transformative poetry of witness to the horror of warfare. It happens in real time, as we turn pages. This is powerful, impactful poetry, a book you won’t soon forget. Forgetting is not an option. Buy two copies. One for yourself. Another for any soldier you might meet in the street.” —llya Kaminsky, author of Deaf Republic
“In Forest of Noise, his astonishing second book, Mosab Abu Toha is the essential poet embodying the humanity of Gaza, the precious hopes and dreams of all humans, the searing collective cries of children, the indelible honest conscience, the heart and soul. Miraculously he has continued speaking and writing through the horrific genocide of his people and beloved place. His elemental poems dissolve the empty rhetoric and posturing with simple, striking truth. Not blows. Who else among us founds a library in our early twenties? Today Mosab's books may be crushed, but his most powerful spirit is not.” —Naomi Shihab Nye, author of The Tiny Journalist
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t skip this book! You’ll read it & reread it every chance you get.
It will make you weep & Smile. It will give the reader an honest description of what is happening in Gaza, Palestine prior to the genocide & The ethnic cleansing of the indigenous semitic palestinian people. An extraordinary poet writer. Looking forward to his next book 📖.
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone must read this book
There are no words for how this collection touched me. its very difficult to put a face on war when it is so far away and the news covers it through such a limited and often political lens. Mohab describes with exquisite and heart breaking details the impact of the war on the daily lives of those who live and are dying in Gaza. It takes courage to read this and it is essential reading for our times. You cannot come away from this book without being deeply concerned about the pervasive suffering being experienced in Gaza. I am amazed at the resilience of this poet who carries unspeakable sorrow. He has found words for unspeakable experiences.
5.0 out of 5 stars tough stuff to read..
But lovely and dark and necessary. So much pain and love and bearing witness. Worth listening to in the author’s voice.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant poetry
Brilliant
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Poems
"Forest of Noise" is a very good poetry book. Its beautiful images and poetic lines create a striking contrast with the stark reality of the subject matter. It is tender, heartfelt poetry written in an eloquent voice.Some of the poems I loved, and some didn't grab me in the same manner. Overall, it is a very striking book of poetry, and I look forward to reading more of this poet's work in the future.
5.0 out of 5 stars Sincere words on paper.
Words printed touch ones heart!I recommend this book!A great coffee table book.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book depicting suffering of so many people
Very heavy subject, can't binge read
5.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly Moving
I've read through this book many times since it arrived, reading each poem like a meditation as I wish for peace and cry for the profound loss and unbelievable anguish and sorrow captured in Mosab Abu Toha's words.
Powerful poetry
Powerful, moving poetry from the most unimaginable experiences
Opened my eyes wide to the horrors of Gaza!
These are not poems. These are graves that made me bury myself!I have translated a few in my language Marathi- for my people who may not read graves carved in English language.
I have ALREADY RECEIVEDthis book!!! I don’t need/want another copy!
Very relevant poetry
Sad poetry that reflect reality in Gaza
Sehr emotionale Gedichte
🍉❤️
More from this brand
Similar items from “Middle Eastern”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0593803973