I, Wabenzi: A Souvenir

I thoroughly enjoyed Rafi's new book. I've loved Rafi's writing since reading some of his stuff in Musician in the 1970's, and I found it fascinating to learn more about his life. This book takes many interesting twists and turns, and I eagerly await the remaining volumes.

From the dust jacket, we learn that Rafi's autobiographical "Memoir" is planned to stretch to four volumes. Indeed, this volume gets him only as far as England in his planned trip to Turkey, and he never acquires the Mercedes Benz which inspires the book's title. But as with much travel, the enjoyment is in the sights and sounds while getting there. Rafi's at times dizzying prose has matured since his Pen Faulkner Award-winning "The Bear Comes Home," and I frequently found myself startled at the power of an image limned in a few deft words. At the same time, his emotional honesty is shocking and at times painful. The heart of the book is in two sustained flashbacks--one concerning his Jewish family, a tragicomic portrayal with depth and compassion, and the second concerning his participation in a Sufi spiritual community in rural England. Having some experience with this latter, I am startled by its accuracy, showing both flawed humans with good will and foibles and an environment that invites profound, life-changing experiences. Each part is a masterpiece, and I for one eagerly await the remaining volumes.

Intelligent and well written, Wabenzi: A Souvenir reveals the life of the author, Rafi Zabor, to readers. Zabor's words tell of incidents in his life- happenings - that affected him. The death of his parents, the memory of his, " . . . ghostly grandmother - with her salty fingers, claw-like hands, sallow hollow cheeks, loose false teeth, . . .." The meeting of a girl friend's older brother who was named Jack Shema, but became to be known as Hakki Bey, the boy who was brilliant, artistic, self destructive and beat his sister from time-to-time. He tells of Sharon, the sister whom he took to Tokyo for an abortion. Zabor tells his experiences and memories lyrically and honestly. Many passages are compelling. Some of the writing is long winded, however, and my interest waned. but something always pulled me back into the story. Zabor shows readers the world as he sees it competently and interestingly. He admits that he does not clearly understand everything that happens in his life and this confession allows readers to identify with him. How many of us understand our lives? Through detailed and sensitive writing Wabenzi: A Souvenir allows readers to get inside his mind to see what he sees, feel what he feels and he lets readers contemplate his regrets along with him. Zabor is a jazz drummer and that's how he writes - with improvisation and a forceful rhythm. I enjoyed Zabor's writing most when he talked about his passion - music. That's where the best writing comes from, passion. Reading Wabenzi: A Souvenir will take some work. It is not and easy read, but it is worthwhile.