the last book I ever read (Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi, excerpt eight)

from Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi (Translated from the Arabic by Jonathan Wright):

The night before her departure, the old lady stayed up late in the parlor. She sat on the sofa facing the picture of Saint George and spoke to him at length, the light from the decorative glass sconces in the corners of the room creating a sacramental ambiance. The saint said nothing. He had performed his miracle and his role was over—that’s how the old woman finally understood it. One thing occurred to her. She had packed up everything that carried the family’s memories, even her children’s baby clothes. The only thing left was her favorite picture of her favorite saint, but she felt she couldn’t take it in is heavy wooden frame.