Middle East/North African Lit discussion

I came across this open letter, signed by writers* from the MENA region.
http://blogs.mediapart.fr/edition/rev...
Useful as a starting point to discover new (to me) authors!

*"écrivain" in French

I just joined this group a few days ago one book that I really loved was The Storyteller's Daughter: One Woman's Return to Her Lost Homeland. It's a great memoir about Afganishtan. I look forward to more ideas from this group.

okyrhoe wrote: "I came across this open letter, signed by writers* from the MENA region.
http://blogs.mediapart.fr/edition/rev...
..."

I think My French language has committed suicide ! :( if you reach certain books feel free to post them here .

Katie , added:)
also all last suggested books .

I just finished listening to Secret Son by Laila Lalami. My thoughts on it are posted here . It is her first novel and I though maybe others would be interested in it as she wrote an introduction to our March cruise book Season of Migration to the North

Chrissie, I loved the The Kite Runner and Thousand Splendid Suns, I thought both were very good reads. I had the pleasure to be present unexpectedly during the first day of shooting of film of The Kite Runner in Kashgar, China -- an interesting experience - hours of work for what amounted to some 30 seconds or so in the first few minutes of the movie as the boys chase the kite round the market. I didn't like the film anywhere near as much as the book.

I listen to TSS on audio and it was good. But I have to say one of the best reads, and one of the best audio renditions of books I have ever listened to is Half a Yellow Sun I adored Adjoh Adoh's voice on the recording which I comment on in more detail here

Marieke, thanks for the heads up re Great African Reads you'll probably see me over there as well

Shelia, what an experience!

Chrissie, yes it was - an unexpected and unique thrill, being a bit of a film fan as well. We just happened to be in Kashgar and went to the animal market http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid... and ended up spending the whole day there - it is a very interesting enough in its own right, but when we found we couldn't get into one part all officially blocked of we just had to try and find out what was happening - Chinese minders, local Uighar extras, lots of camera boxes, props and animals, then the continuity woman cross checking the two child stars and then director giving them a pep talk. I finally caught the eye of one of the European crewe - well a blonde haired english voice does sort of stand out:) and found out who and what it was. I had to hide my camera after one person got reprimanded by one of the Chinese minders! They say never work with children of animals but on that day it was the special effects smoke generators that were giving problems as they tried to recreate Kabul market in China. Brilliant and memorable day from a equally so trek across northern China!

Thanks for sharing!

Shelia,Thanks for sharing!
Books adding to shelves is done :)

This week I manged to read to Middle Eastern books the first was The Calligrapher's Secret and the second was the Dreaming in English. The first book was a good look into Damacus in the 1950's I really loved how he tried to show a country to move forward the was stuck. The second was the the sequel to a Veil of Roseswhich I haven't read yet but am going to request it from the library right away.

Thank you so much Katie !! :) done ..I added (The Calligrapher's secret) to the bookshelves and also anther book for the author , that was very interesting and I had no idea about before , if you like it ; then that is very encouraging !

Waiting for your opinion about the second , but to be honest with you ; in general we give the priority to the ME native authors -except in rare cases. you know there are so much books about ME out there !

I have another suggestion it's called Leo Africanusit's a historial fiction based on real map maker who spent time in Spain, North Africa, Egypt, Italy etc in the 1400 he spent time in his life also a Muslim, Christain and Jew so he has an interesting story

Amin Maalouf's novel! Excellent choice Katie!

It's been about 10 years since I read it so some of the details are a little fuzzy but I read it for a Middle East History class that I took and I know it provide a great back ground for some of the history of the region.

So great , but I am facing a prrroblem ; to which bookshelf should I add it ? lebanon ...ok ?

Is the choice of bookshelf according to the writer's nationality or type of the book?
If it's by writer, it would be Lebanon alright, if by type, I guess Andalus is better choice.

which is better do you think ? so far , it is both , I mean I added Granada: A Novel to Andalus and Samarkand to Iran , but Moon Over Samarqand to Egypt ?

Samarkand and Moon over Samarqand are both Central Asia, I believe. Can we make a new shelf for it?

As for Maalouf's novel, I think it's best to be shelved as Andalous.. That is if I remember it accurately..

Ok , done for Leo :)

Samarkand ,well ; it is not exactly like the title , most of the events take place in Iran . know what I do not understand why he called it Samarkand!

so a shelf for Central Asia , should it involve all (-stan) countries books ?

I beleive so..

I sorry I feel like I keep finding new reads. I just heard about a book that sounds great for reading about Iran when we get to it a few months it just came out this year and the Author is noble peace prize winner. So I thought I would add it our listThe Golden Cage: Three Brothers, Three Choices, One Destiny

Katie wrote: "I sorry I feel like I keep finding new reads. I just heard about a book that sounds great for reading about Iran when we get to it a few months it just came out this year and the Author is noble pe..."

Done :)

One of the real treasures in my collection is "A Street in Marrakesh" by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea. Her "Guests of the Sheik" also was wonderful, and I loved her little-appreciated (and impossible-to-find) "A View of the Nile."

I finally managed to get my hands on an English version of Memory in the Flesh. I can't wait to get started, partly because I liked the theme, and, perhaps more importantly, I don't know a thing about Algeria and its history.

I'm presuming most of you have already read it as part of the group read. Darn, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Andy wrote: "One of the real treasures in my collection is "A Street in Marrakesh" by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea. Her "Guests of the Sheik" also was wonderful, and I loved her little-appreciated (and impossible-t..."

Ok :) added

Cincinnatusc wrote: "I finally managed to get my hands on an English version of Memory in the Flesh. I can't wait to get started, partly because I liked the theme, and, perhaps more importantly, I don't know a thing ab..."

Great :) the discussion was here
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

Has anyone read "The Butterfly Mosque, An American Woman's Journey to Islam", by G. Willow Wilson? I enjoyed it! My daughter converted to Islam; so my grand children are growing up Muslim. It gave me a view of what she was going thru-and an avenue to finding a commonality between us.

Kit wrote: "Has anyone read "The Butterfly Mosque, An American Woman's Journey to Islam", by G. Willow Wilson? I enjoyed it! My daughter converted to Islam; so my grand children are growing up Muslim. It ga..."

Welcome Kit :D

I did not read "The Butterfly Mosque" but it sounds very interesting! Thanks, I added it to the shelves :). BTW ; sure Islam is one of the topics we discuss in here as part of Middle east culture , but not in so much depth or focus as Islam group , I though you may like joining them too , they have so many book recommendations :)

I'm enjoying everything I've read. I read "Miral" over the weekend and fell in love with Hind. Such a strong women-"sees a need and fills it!" I really came to appreciate and respect Miral in all her ups and downs. I like her father and hurt(and cried) with her mother.

I'm coming in so late-I'm going to try and keep up--as well as, read the bookshelf! Forgive me, please, I may have to ask questions and bring up old topics from time to time.

I added Miral: A Novelto the bookshelves , thanks :) and feel free to join any topic any time , our threads are open for ever :D

Kit wrote: "Has anyone read "The Butterfly Mosque, An American Woman's Journey to Islam", by G. Willow Wilson? I enjoyed it! My daughter converted to Islam; so my grand children are growing up Muslim. It ga..."


The Butterfly Mosque by Willow Wilson was a library “new arrivals” find. I wasn’t looking for it in particular, but just browsing the new books shelf. It was pretty good. The author is not Arab, but converts to Islam before or after (seems at least to be independent of) taking a teaching position in Egypt for a time. She ends up marrying an Egyptian. It gives insight into life, culture and women in Egypt- from an American perspective somewhat. I enjoyed it.

Anyone read these? Some of these I commonly recommend to others with an interest in the Palestinian Israeli conflict. I included a few that I didn't like as well. :)

Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber (read 2011) – it was an entertaining read, a thrift store find. The main character is half Iraqi and Lebanese food is also spoken about a lot. And both of these I enjoyed. Some issues in the book: Arab Americans fitting into Arab and American societies, Iraq’s past hardships and politics, and of course romance. I was not mad about the ending the way I am about some! Not particularly scholarly or good in same way as Mornings in Jenin, but still very good.

Crossing Mandlebaum Gate by Kai Bird. I would highly recommend this even though he is not an Arab. He grew up the son of a diplomat in Jerusalem, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia among other places. His take on things is refreshing for an American. He talks about a Jerusalem that was social, fun, multicultural in the old days. He talks about growing up in these places, the culture, landscape, politics, etc.

Children of Catastrophe by Jamal Kanj. I read recently and will start recommending. Excellent history from a refugee.

Occupied with Nonviolence: A Palestinian Woman Speaks by Jean Zaru
This is more a collection of some of her speeches, but it was a very good read. I’d recommend it to those who are just learning about the conflict. The woman is a Quaker Palestinian, so one gets to hear the story of dispossession from that perspective. I hope other Christians can relate and connect to this as I did.

I recently read 2 by Shehadeh, a Christian: Strangers in the House and Palestinian Walks. Both very good for learning more about the conflict.

Said’s Blaming the Victims is so informative on the conflict. I always recommend this, but warn that it is rather academic and so not a light read by any means.

Children of the Siege by Pauline Cutting. I read years ago, but still recommend to people. It is about Palestinians in Beruit 1982. She is an American doctor and tells the story of her experience so well.

The Lemon Tree is one I recommend as pretty balanced and telling the two stories- Palestinian dispossession and Israeli arrival/occupation.

One I thought was going to be along the lines of The Lemon Tree… Prisoners is ostensibly about and Arab and a Jew as well, but I’d never recommend it. You can read my review and the response I got. I was judgmental apparently. Isn’t that the point of a review? Oh well.
http://www.amazon.com/Prisoners-Musli...

Mornings in Jenin is one I have been recommending and I’m so glad you all have read it!

Born a Refugee by Dixianne Hallaj. She is an American who married a Palestinian. This is fiction and not nearly as well done as Abulhawa’s. I couldn’t get into it right away and the characters I felt weren’t that developed. It was ok. I really enjoyed the descriptions of culture and place, though.

Thanks for the Memories, Mr. President by Helen Thomas is not really an essential for the conflict. I found it interesting in that she is Arab American and has been held in high esteem as one of the first women to break that glass ceiling and remain prominent.

Along those lines is Diane Rehm’s memoir, Finding My Voice. Not an essential for the conflict, but she is Arab American and does talk about her upbringing and experience in that context somewhat. I love her NPR program, The Diane Rehm Show. It is one of the most balanced out there. When someone says something totally harebrained in support of Israel, she dares to correct them of ask hard questions others wouldn’t.

Also in the memoir (and Arab American) category is Queen Noor’s book, Leap of Faith. It does talk about Jordan’s interactions with Palestinians and gives some history, but is extremely biased toward Jordan. Still very interesting how this Arab American woman became queen.

My Hope For Peace by Jehan Sedat. Another memoir, this one, Egyptian. She talks a lot about the conflict and some about Palestinians. She was Anwar’s wife and that shows through with bias, but all in all it was good. She talked about religion and feminism in Egypt and Islam which were so interesting from her perspective.

Between Two Worlds by Roxana Saberi is so interesting. She is the half Iranian who was captured and held in Iran’s notorious prison. She details her experience, which was grueling. I found a few parallels between Iran’s techniques and Israel’s …but you’ll see.

Silent No More by Paul Findley. I read years ago. I usually recommend him to American friends. He used to be a Congressman and now he writes/wrote about Islam in America. I think I read it around 2003 or so, when these issues were really boiling over.

The Samson Option by Seymore Hersh. Not particularly Arab or American. It tells about Israel’s nukes and the US relationship in typical revelaing investigative Hersh style. Relevant to the conflict, but admittedly not a Arab author or even subject directly.

By Way of Deception by Victor Ostrovsky the former Mossad guy also falls under this category. He tells about the US-Israel relationship, his disillusionment with Israeli “morals” and is a Russian or Russian Canadian Jew. Informative about the conflict, but not an Arab author or directly about Palestinian issues. I usually recommend this for an understanding of the situation, though.

Finklestein’s Holocaust Industry is informative as any of his work, though not an Arab author or subject directly. I always recommend him to Americans. He is reviled in some circles, though.

Jimmy Carter’s Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid was ok. He upholds the peace agreement he made, which is natural, but not the way to go IMO. He knows and respects the Jewish side and I can see that he tries to respect Palestinians. I think he is still lacking in knowledge and appreciation for them as compared with Jews, but he’s done more than any other president in speaking out for human rights, so I’m giving him a break. ☺

Ambivalence by Jonathan Garfinkel was interesting in a way, but I wouldn’t recommend it. He’s not an Arab; he’s a Jew actually. He does take a trip the Palestine and even visits the Arab side. Maybe he is enlightened by the experience, but he’s far from a peacenik IMO. Possibly he did come a long way from his upbringing in Zionist socialist schooling…one can only hope.

Hi Jennifer,
Glad you enjoyed the "Butterfly Mosque." My daughter converted in 2003 to Islam-so I read everything I can find on the subject. My grandson's are Muslim. They are still tiny (6 and 2). While they were very tiny, I live for extended periods of time with them. My son-in-law took his Mom to Saundi Arabia in 2009 for Hadj. He brought home gifts and lots of wonderful stories about this 3 weeks tour. I looking forward to moving on to Saudi Lit.

Kit-

That is so great.

I liked the book partly because I enjoy hearing Muslims talk about their faith. It is so similar to my own- even things they view as contradictory are actually quite similar in mine. The way they talk about faith and practice and their relationship to God and others- I feel very close to them.

I saw a documentary- it's on Netflix now- Inside Mecca. A National Geographic. It follows several people on the Hajj. It was so good. I watched it again recently.

The book, Mandlebaum Gate that I mention above has a bit about Saudi Arabia. I learned a lot. It's not up to the minute current current (written in the 90s?), but he talks about the time his dad was a diplomat there, culture, and some history. It was so interesting to read that the US had a choice to support democratic reformers or royals back then and made the wrong choice (choosing democracy would have meant oil nationalization rather than the freedom for us to exploit that the royals gave us- never mind the down side that the royals teamed up with religious extremists to hang on to power...). Like now- we are slow or resistant to support those who want rid of their dictator.

Also, he talks about Aramco. I saw that company or newsletter mentioned on here or another group...

Bye for now!
Jennifer

Anyone reading/read Tablet and Pen by Reza Aslan?
http://www.amazon.com/Tablet-Pen-Lite...

I'm not that into poetry, but I'm thinking about it.

A big reason why- I heard this on the radio :) :
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/201...

Anyone read these?

The first book I read on this topic as I remember was Michale Gorkin's Days of Honey, Days of Onion. I remember loving it; it's the story of the life of a Palestinians Israeli family told by an American or Israeli Jew in Jerusalem.

A Season of Stones is about an American in Israel/ Palestine and I do remember liking it, but I think Gorkin's was better.

I've got 2 by Fawaz Turki, The Disinherited and Soul in Exile that I don't think I have read. There was a time when my husband and sometimes other people would pick up books about the conflict for me. :) Then life and the Kindle distracted me from my bookshelf...

I'd also like to read Wild Thorns again. It's by Sahar Khalifeh.

First I think I'll re-read I Saw Ramallah, tho :) I remember being struck and touched by the profound sadness (and beauty) but not a lot of detail...

So many books !...I am sorry , I will come back to add them as soon as I can :)

Oh my god ….so many books !!!I spent too long time adding to the group shelves and mine !! Thanks Jennifer:)

I just finished "Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Questhouse."

I think she was so brave to attempt everything. I found the "camps" to be so horrific-where's the UN when you need them. The "widows" camps were probably the most disturbing. I really don't know what to think or say concerning the "tree with body parts attached."

I enjoyed her discussion of the "Islam of her youth,"-how gentle and loving" it was-compared to the "radical, political Islam of the Taliban."

I still do not understand why the human race has not advanced past the "killing" state-I'll never understand war! But I find it so incredibly uplifting that there are people like Suraya. Thank God for the heroes of the world!

Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse: The True Story of a Woman Who Risked Everything to Bring Hope to Afghanistan seems interesting , thanks Kit .

Just finished The Kurds: A People in Search of Their Homeland. The author was acorrespondent for 30 years.

The book is filled with information/facts on the Kurds & "Kurdistan."

Kurd history dates back 2,000 BC.
He documents the "mass graves" found in Northern Iraq.
One of the Kurdish religions is "Yazidi"-a mixture of Islamic, Jewish & Christianity.
As part of Saddam's chemical targets-5,000 to 7,ooo Kurds were killed and 20,000 to 30,000 were injured.

The book deals with the wars between the British, Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

The topic is more than depressing, but there is hope in that they may finally have a true-Kurdistan.

Thanks Kit :)

I know u just started to read on Iraq but I would like to post a link to a very interesting book. It is full of testimonies by Israeli soldiers concerning their behavior towards Palestinians. Be careful it is depressing but the good thing it shows that there r Israeli soldiers against what they r ordered to do or they feel guilty about what they did.
Good luck
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45787174/Br...

Thanks Ghada ,
That seem interesting, the link is heavy for me so I can not go through the book :( I did more search, it seems it is an organization now :
http://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/

BTW , you can recommend any books any time here , it does not matter which country we are talking about :)

Thank u Nile daughter, actually believe u will find almost the same info on that site or at least some stories.

I'm reading "The New Arab Journalist" by Lawrence Pintak. It came out this spring and is quite relevant in the face of all that has happened in many Arab countries the past few months and the role media have played. I'm about 100 pages in, and while it is very academic in its style, it is loaded with tremendously relevant information.

Andy wrote: "I'm reading "The New Arab Journalist" by Lawrence Pintak. It came out this spring and is quite relevant in the face of all that has happened in many Arab countries the past few months and the role ..."

The New Arab Journalist: Mission and Identity in a Time of Turmoil sounds interesting ! thanks :)

Farishta By Patricia McArdle

Haven't read this, but got it in email. She was a diplomat in Afghanistan and didn't write a memoir due to putting her contacts in danger, but she wrote fiction in which she used her experiences/contacts with different characters.

I don't know what her politics are, but it could be interesting either way. Another Westerner. My goal is to read more Arab authors. Arrgh! :) Oh well. :)


BookPageXtra interview link

I am from the Middle East and would like to refer you to read my translation of
A fascinating book for children, this book was written with progressive adults in mind. It is not limited to Iran, it's messages are universal and it doesn't happen in the past... It shows a path to freedom and justice and can be read by all freedom-fighters anywhere and lessons learned can impact the outcome of those movements.

Jennifer wrote: "Farishta By Patricia McArdle

Haven't read this, but got it in email. She was a diplomat in Afghanistan and didn't write a memoir due to putting her contacts in danger, but she wrote fiction in wh..."

I enjoyed the book-I think you will too. She helped the women by introducing them to solor ovens.