A BEDOUIN BOYHOOD

A slightly stiff autobiography by a young Jordanian whose tribe was scattered from its wadi after the 1948 Israeli war of independence. Looking back from his adult position in the Ministry of Agriculture, he recalls incidents that reveal Bedouin life--the first day of school, a day at the fair, fatal misfortunes, marriage, what is expected of a man and a woman. Although the family break-up is harsh, and life in a refugee camp unpleasant, there is no theme of self-pity or bitterness. Yet the intrusion of contemporary realities into the traditional life pattern is clearly indicated. Low-keyed and generally agreeable.