Ḥasan M. Shāmī

For El-Shamy, the performance of a folktale is of at least as much signficance as the plot. The tale teller's gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, timing, all these elements are dutifully described as the tales unfold. This, I suppose, is all part of the academic discipline called "international distribution studies," and I must admit it does hold some degree of interest. I guess I'm "old school," however. I like a marvelous tale to be told simply. That way, I can supply my own winks and leers.… (más)