At the Cafe : University of Virginia Press : 9780813931197 : 0813931193 : 30 May 2011 : Reflecting distinct and important stages in the career of the preeminent Algerian writer Mohammed Dib, "At the Café" and "The Talisman" brings together two collections that embroider on themes relating to the Algerian War for Independence (1954?1962). At the Café, published in 1955, is mostly realistic in style and illustrates particularly well Dib's uncanny talent for storytelling. The Talisman, published eleven years later, reflects Dib's growing penchant for relating his perception of the magical or mystical qualities underlying everyday reality. When he wrote At the Café, Dib felt it was his duty to witness or testify on behalf of the downtrodden of Algeria under French colonial rule. Three stories in this collection?"Little Cousin," "A Fine Wedding," and "The Long Wait"?poignantly describe the rampant poverty, hunger, sickness, and despair that prevailed under French rule. In others, such