Square Moon: Supernatural Tales

Ghadah Samman’s Square Moon: Supernatural Tales brings ten short stories to English readers that explore the collision of Arabic tradition with modern European life and Gothic horror. The author, originally publishing in Beirut in 1994, crafts narratives where cultural frontiers spark tension between sexes, identities, and storytelling forms. Her work mixes the ghoulish with the everyday, balancing wit with terror through surprise endings and realistic character details. The collection features diverse scenarios that defy simple categorization. One story involves a schizophrenic discussing murder with his personality, while another follows a war exile avoiding ghosts as he confronts class structures in Paris. A strangled lover’s spirit narrates the web of love and loathing leading to his death. Samman depicts a world where matchmakers visit homes but lovers go bungee jumping. This blend of experimental forms and strict narrative creates a unique reading experience for those interested in supernatural fiction that challenges conventional boundaries. This book suits readers who enjoy complex character studies within horror settings. It appeals to those curious about the intersection of Arab culture and Gothic traditions. Readers seeking straightforward jump scares or purely Western gothic tropes may find the cultural specificity less engaging. The stories require attention to their nuanced interplay of identity and supernatural elements.