"Ah," said Hassan, "I don't believe in the world. There's another world where life is different."

These are stories of that world. The word m'hashish (equivalent in Moghrebi of "behashished" or "full of hashish") is used only in a literal sense, but also figuratively, to describe a person whose behavior seems irrational or unexpected. The tales here deal with some of the possible results, desirable and questionable, of being in that state.

Mohammed Mrabet was born in Tangier around 1940. Since 1965, Paul Bowles has taped and translated numerous strange legends and lively stories recounted by Mrabet: Love with a Few Hairs (novel), The Lemon (novel), The Boy Who Set Fire (stories), Harmless Poisons, Blameless Sins (stories), The Beach Cafe & Look & Move On (autobiography), and The Big Mirror (novella).

Letters written 1979-1986. Biographical information and stories. Henry Miller wrote to Mrabet: "The fact that you can not read has perhaps made you a better writer than most who do read." Paul Bowles said: "I've been corresponding with Irving Stettner for several years. Everyone tells me he is a delightful man. Mrabet does write him letters. I don't "ghostwrite" them; I merely translate them as he dictates." Irving Stettner, prose writer, poet and watercolorist; friend of Henry Miller; published Stroker magazine for 30 years.

Letters written 1979-1986. Biographical information and stories. Henry Miller wrote to Mrabet: "The fact that you can not read has perhaps made you a better writer than most who do read." Paul Bowles said: "I've been corresponding with Irving Stettner for several years. Everyone tells me he is a delightful man. Mrabet does write him letters. I don't "ghostwrite" them; I merely translate them as he dictates." Irving Stettner, prose writer, poet and watercolorist; friend of Henry Miller; published Stroker magazine for 30 years.