This short, powerful love story takes

place in an eastern Mediterranean coun-

try under military rule, where a young

woman finally receives authorization to

visit her husband who is held prisoner on

an island. For three years she has lived

from day-to-day planning what she

would say to him when she finally sees

him; sewing a quilt for him, a patchwork

of their lives together, made from her old

dresses, their shared memories. She will

tell him that at last the little fir tree has

taken root, that each evening after sun-

down she waters it gripping her left hand,

which is holding the hose, with her right

hand, making believe he is there beside

her. She will tell him . . .

But what will her husband have to say

to her ? What have three years hard labor

done to his body? What have three years

punishment and privation done to his

mind? What have three years separation

done to their marriage ?

Much of The Fig Tree s impact lies in

Francoise Xenakis s writing. Her delicate

blending of thoughts and words builds

toward a devastating climax; and her sub-

tle shading of emotions counterpoises

violence with love. hope with despair.