Middle East/North African Lit discussion

AN EXCERPT FROM YOUSSEF RAKHA’S “IN EXTREMIS: LITERATURE AND REVOLUTION IN CONTEMPORARY CAIRO (AN ORIENTAL ESSAY IN SEVEN PARTS)”

Youssef Rakha

Theorem

Here is a suitably exotic Sufi folk tale from the Nile Delta:

The imam of the Friday prayers bumps into a little old dervish at the entrance to the mosque. The dervish, evidently with no intention of joining the others in prayer, is tapping the ground with a stick, again and again intoning, “God can create the world in the shell of a hazelnut.” Enraged as much by idle talk as impious behavior, the imam beats up the dervish; then he rushes into the mosque baths to perform his ablutions in time. But no sooner does he step into the water than he finds himself in the middle of a great lake in some faraway land; touching his wet body, the imam realizes he has been transformed into a woman. The woman is rescued by a fisherman who happens upon her in the water and takes her in; and when his wife dies, the fisherman marries the strange woman from the lake. First she gives birth to a boy, then another boy, then a girl. One day she goes out to do the washing in the same lake, and as soon as she steps into the water, she finds herself in a mosque bath, in a country she seems to remember: she has been transformed back into the imam, who has just enough time to finish his ablutions before starting the prayers. On his way out of the mosque the imam passes the little old dervish, who has not performed his prayers, tapping the ground with a stick and intoning, “God can create the world in the shell of a hazelnut.” The imam rushes up to him and bends down to kiss his hand, shouting, “Truth, truth! You speak the truth!” And winking at him, the dervish says, “You had to give birth to two boys and a girl before you could believe it, didn’t you.”



The point of this story is to illustrate faith in the mystery of God’s omnipotence. But in a way it also says a lot about politics, language, and context: the relation of the observant to the enlightened, the cynical to the visionary, and appearance to substance.

In contemporary Egypt — and, more broadly, the contemporary Arab cultural sphere — the imam and the dervish stand, respectively, for power- and knowledge-based literary endeavors. The contrast between the two figures recalls the difference between writing as a means to some political end and writing as an end in itself: an exercise in transcending the political. While the imam’s rigid and down-to-earth, strictly rational orientation makes him seem right and relevant, the dervish’s subtle, unorthodox and imaginative approach to worship leaves him powerless, lacking the social support he needs to be taken seriously. Yet in the grander scheme of things — once you step out of that tiny point in space-time that forms these particular Friday prayers — it is the dervish who turns out to be more knowledgeable. It is he who has something to say about God’s omnipotence, not the imam who by observing God’s commandments to the letter — going so far as to oppose the nonobservant dervish — reduces that omnipotence to a ritual.

This is just one of the ways in which the imam-dervish duality may serve as a model of the convergence of politics and literature in contemporary Egypt — which takes on new relevance in the light of the Arab Spring. Once you substitute faith with writing, and the mystery of God’s omnipotence with “knowledge of the Arab world,” it becomes clear that the story of the imam and the dervish might show how politically driven interest in the Arabic novel appears to be commending dervish-like Arab authors while what it is actually saying is that, if not for their anthropological use to an imam-like Western reader, such Arab authors must automatically be relegated to obscurity.

Only the vulgarly politicized imams of contemporary literature seem to have a chance in the West — and they can tell the West nothing it does not already know.

Two assumptions are made every time the topic comes up: that Western readers will turn only to a novel tagged “Arabic” for “information” about “an unknown culture”; and that the only possible recommendation of a novel so tagged will be the tag itself. You begin to wonder if the effective ban on the entry of Arabic literary works into the Western (and, de facto, world) canon — in place since the “discovery” of modern Arabic writing during the first half of the twentieth century — might after all originate in the same place as the impulse to keep Third World immigrants out of the West and to endorse the majority of those who are already there as by and large peripheral to the world of ideas.

In an article on the Arabic novel published in the New Yorker in January 2010, “Found in Translation,” Claudia Roth Pierpont cites the West’s “long history of indifference,” raising the concern that a reversal of this tendency may prove to be “a corrupting force.” In that case, the alleged translation boom will result in westerners ending up with mere copies of Arab images they have already selected (the consequence of commercializing Aboriginal art in Australia is what comes to mind).

Pierpont concludes that this is unlikely to happen because “the Arabic novelist stands, almost by definition — as a thinker, a conduit of intellectual life — in opposition to the retrogressive forces in the modern Arab state.” And while this is almost never technically true — even though many of them do take a nominally oppositional stance, Egyptian novelists from Yusuf Idris (1927–1991) to Tareq Imam (b. 1977) have been employed and/or lionized by cultural arms of the regime itself, arguably the most retrogressive force of all — the statement does strike a sympathetic chord.

Surely the sensibility of writers anywhere will be at odds with conservatism and duress, which even after the so-called revolution of January 25 proves to be more stifling in Egypt than in the West. But while Cairo may indeed reflect a society “in extremis,” to use Pierpont’s phrase, its writers “routinely constrained or assailed,” what Pierpont seems not to realize is that it is also a place where an urban minority has written and read vernacularly inflected Arabic continuously for some ten centuries: a place in which, until the 1980s, the highly evolved writing regularly produced has remained untouched by the prospect of translation into English.

Reading “only versions of what we want to hear” is precisely what Pierpont has been doing; in this she seems no different from the majority of Western readers of Arabic literature outside the academic arena. But the “corrupting force” that placed Pierpont in that position is far more complex than she might imagine, the privilege of the “larger markets” provided by translation into English making up only a tiny fraction of its composition.

. . .http://www.kenyonreview.org/journal/s...

I will get back to read the links and your last post , thanks for sharing , I didn't know this author , I added Book of the Sultan's Seal: Strange Incidents from History in the City of Mars to my bookshelves .

I suggest recommending a book for him in this thread :
I want to read this book; anyone would like to join me?
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Niledaughter wrote: "I will get back to read the links and your last post , thanks for sharing , I didn't know this author , I added [book:Book of the Sultan's Seal: Strange Incidents from History in the City of Mars|2..."

Nile, here is another of Youssef's blog posts:

My Censorship, Your Bigotry
wp.me/p4oRQ-2RP

Hi everyone,

An event happening at the Manchester (UK) Literature Festival, MLF, happening near me soon, which I thought would interest everyone posting on this forum.

Mai Al-Nakib is reading from her short story collection 'The Hidden Light of Objects'

'Kuwaiti writer Al-Nakib's first collection won her the Edinburgh First Fiction Award and The National introduced her as 'an exciting new literary voice'
Set amid Middle Eastern unrest, these luminous and beautifully written stories capture overlooked moments in the lives of ordinary people, and the power of objects to hold extraordinary memories'.

She's reading with Hong Kong born, London based May Lan Tan at MLF, here's a link to the event: http://www.manchesterliteraturefestiv.... Thinking of going along for it, if anyone on here is anywhere close to Manchester, North UK, join me for it!

Thank you, Niraj, for the information and for the invitation.

A brilliant review of Youssef Rakha's novels by Seth Messinger:

Reading two new novels by Egyptian author Youssef Rakha

At the end of 2014, English readers were introduced to Youssef Rakha, a strong and pressing voice from Egypt. A senior writer for Al-Ahram Weekly, Rakha has published a wide variety of articles and short stories in both Arabic and English. The two novels that have been recently translated in English are his first, The Book of the Sultan’s Seal: Strange Incidents from History in the City of Mars, and his second, the more recent The Crocodiles. Both have received considerable attention, and what is noteworthy about Rakha as a writer is his ability to call upon vastly different styles, tones, and narratives in these two very different books.


http://www.reorientmag.com/2015/09/yo...

ReemK10 (Paper Pills) wrote: "A brilliant review of Youssef Rakha's novels by Seth Messinger:

Reading two new novels by Egyptian author Youssef Rakha

At the end of 2014, English readers were introduced to Youssef Rakha, a str..."

Thanks for this. I've saved it to read in more detail later. They sound like books I'd be interested in reading.

Just read the Syrian novel The Silence and the Roar. It's a light-hearted narrative, depicting "love" and "laughter" as effective counters to the "surreal" atmosphere of authoritarianism.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks, Asma, for sharing.

Asma Fedosia wrote: "Just read the Syrian novel The Silence and the Roar. It's a light-hearted narrative, depicting "love" and "laughter" as effective counters to the "surreal" atmosphere of authoritari..."

Thanks for mentioning this one Asma. I plan to add it to my long list.

Asma Fedosia wrote: "Just read the Syrian novel The Silence and the Roar. It's a light-hearted narrative, depicting "love" and "laughter" as effective counters to the "surreal" atmosphere of authoritari..."

Thanks Asma , it is really good to have more recommendations for Syria , sadly we didn't actually read from Syria so far , we had In Praise of Hatred on our reading list but it didn't attract attention .

*****
Such great enthusiasm for Youssef Rakha Reem :) , I hope we will be able to read for him soon in the group .

Melanie and Sue, you are welcome. Learned about the novella The Silence and the Roar from the word on the cyber street. ND, a Youssef Rakha novel looks inviting.

Hi all,
Haven't been active here for a while though still reading a lot!
I don't know if it has been recommended here but there's a very nice series written by Zoe Ferraris and it's taken place in Saudi Arabia. It's crime and if I recall well the first book is Finding Nouf. The characters are magnificent.

Also I read a few comments above that someone is looking to read UAE related books. I remember seeing or reading or downloading a book by an American author that used to be based in Al Ain and that takes place in USA and Al Ain but I should look up more details tomorrow once I'm online from my laptop.

Okay, so here's the booked that I mentioned above:

Mother Without a Mask: A Westerner's Story of Her Arab Family
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

When Patricia Holton welcomed the two sons of a Gulf Sheikh with whom her husband worked into her home, little did she know that she was building a bridge between two worlds. Over the following years Patricia travelled frequently to their homeland, enjoying their family's hospitality in the sophisticated townhouses and hotels brought by the oil rush to Abu Dhabi, as well as the traditional desert encampments. She became, to the Sheikha, Um Yusef (mother of Joseph) and, to the sons, Mrs. Tea Cup. She witnessed a world where ancient and modern were becoming entwined for the first time, where the waves are haunted by djinn spirits but camels have been replaced by Mercedes.

I have a question, I'm starting to get interested in South African history and would love to know which good books deal with its appartheid past\present.

TNX

Hello Anna , I think you need to post this again in (Africa group ) as we do not cover South Africa here.

Hi Anna--I am using my phone at the moment so can't link, but i moderate a group called Great African Reads and there is also a separate group devoted specifically to South African Literature. I'm not sure how active it is, but worth a try!

Just finished Caspian Rain by Gina B. Nahai. It is hard to imagine it won't make my top then this year.

Regina, the book sounds great. Will add it to my 'to read' list.

Jessie wrote: "Okay, so here's the booked that I mentioned above:

Mother Without a Mask: A Westerner's Story of Her Arab Family
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4......"

Jessie, Do you know that it is supposed to be a book about the current Minister of Culture, Sheikh Nahyan? He is one of the boys. When I came to the UAE, it was a 'recommended reading' for the newcomers :-)

Marieke wrote: "Hi Anna--I am using my phone at the moment so can't link, but i moderate a group called Great African Reads and there is also a separate group devoted specifically to South African Literature. I'm ..."

Is it an online group Marieke?

Ewa wrote: "Marieke wrote: "Hi Anna--I am using my phone at the moment so can't link, but i moderate a group called Great African Reads and there is also a separate group devoted specifically to South African ..."


Yes. It's a GR group.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

In addition, The World's Literature is a great group for appropriate resources.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

I just finished reading a lovely collection of short stories by the Egyptian writer, Alifa Rifaat. The collection is called Distant View of a Minaret and Other Stories. The stories are subtle and illustrate an Islamic bent on feminism. I posted my review on goodreads at
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tamara wrote: "I just finished reading a lovely collection of short stories by the Egyptian writer, Alifa Rifaat. The collection is called Distant View of a Minaret and Other Stories. The stories ar..."

Glad you enjoyed the book .
You may like to check our group discussion for it in here :
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Niledaughter wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I just finished reading a lovely collection of short stories by the Egyptian writer, Alifa Rifaat. The collection is called Distant View of a Minaret and Other Stories...."

Thank you, Niledaughter.
I didn't know you had a group discussion on the book. I should have thought to check earlier. I'll remember to do that next time.
Thanks for the link to the discussion. I enjoyed reading the comments.

No problem at all ! you are welcome :)

Thanks Tanara
I read your review. It helps me to expand my own way of understanding the different ways women make their way through life.
Nan

Asma and others who've read it, thoughts on The Silence and the Roar? A bland reading experience for me I'm afraid - it could have been a lot better...

I'm new, so I'm not sure about the rules. However, a book which I just wrote which is definitely not "bland" is entitled 'Prisoners of History: The Story of Dalia, a Palestinian' which describes the Israeli oppression of Palestinian children, and the history behind it. It's obviously on Amazon and Kindle, and Barnes & Noble. If you get a copy, I would appreciate your comments. Thank you.

Charles wrote: "I'm new, so I'm not sure about the rules. However, a book which I just wrote which is definitely not "bland" is entitled 'Prisoners of History: The Story of Dalia, a Palestinian' which describes th..."

Charles, if you go to the home page, the following thread is prominently displayed - guidelines for authors and/or translators.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks.

Have the second and third novels in the Granada trilogy been translated into English? If so what are the titles and where can I buy them? Thanks. Nan

No they haven’t yet!

Hum why doesn’t U Mass Amherst find a translator and publish it?
Nan

Nan wrote: "Hum why doesn’t U Mass Amherst find a translator and publish it?
Nan"

It's a bit tricky (just like with Abdelrahman Munif's "Cities of Salt" quintet, where only the first was published) because Syracuse University Press has published the first in the trilogy, and they still have it in print & retain the rights to the translation to #1. It would be hard to convince a different publisher to bring out *only* 2 &3 without #1.

We'd need to make the case to SUP that there would be demand for book 2 &3 (and it would be a service to literature and humanity, of course). Or that another publisher would secure the rights and re-translate 1, a harder path.

Melanie wrote: "No they haven’t yet!"


I really wish they would!

So, how could the case be made? Nan

I don't know if this would be of interest to anyone in the group as it might be too far south, but I recently finished Woman of the Ashes by Mia Couto. It is about Portugal's colonization of southern Mozambique.
The story was compelling since it dealt with the colonizer and colonized, but I thought the characterization was weak.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read The Arab of the Future: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978-1984: A Graphic Memoir by Riad Sattouf.
I have mixed feelings about it. I thought it was well done, but I was uncomfortable with the portrayal of Arabs and Muslims.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tamara, I checked it out and thought that it might be a good 'in-person' book club selection because of the uncomfortable portrayals. I haven't read it.

Kate wrote: "Tamara, I checked it out and thought that it might be a good 'in-person' book club selection because of the uncomfortable portrayals. I haven't read it."

Kate, it might be good to discuss it.

The segment of Muslim Arabs he lived with in Syria were, for the most part, illiterate, superstitious, and the rural poor--a very small portion of the population. That's all he was apparently exposed to as a child, but that certainly doesn't bear any resemblance to the majority of Arab Muslims either then or now.

Tamara, I will read it. It sounds like one of those books that might be a good discussion starter on our preconceived ideas of those we know little about.

I had Syrian friends and friends who had visited Syria when I lived in UAE and stories I heard were about how sweet the fruit that grew there was and how delicious the food (and how sophisticated and well-dressed the women were). I was in Beirut (vacation only) at the very beginning of the war in Syria and regret not going there. Everywhere, unfortunately, has a poor segment of the population, some more and some less (just read an article on Yemen). I'm putting this book on my to-read list.

Kate wrote: "Tamara, I will read it. It sounds like one of those books that might be a good discussion starter on our preconceived ideas of those we know little about.

I had Syrian friends and friends who had..."

I visited Damascus over 40 years ago with my grandmother. We went to Souk al Hamidiyah. It was amazing. I'd never seen anything like it. I hope it is still standing and hasn't been blown to smithereens because of the war. It is all so sad what is happening in that part of the world.

Let me know what you think of the book.

Has anyone read Excellent Daughters - the secret lives of young women who are transforming the Arab World?

I haven't, but it sounds interesting - let us know what you think if you read it!

Ewa, I would also like to read it. I found it on Amazon and the Table of Contents looked very interesting. Maybe you can suggest it as a book to group read.

I just checked my local library and we have a few copies. I've put a hold on one.

Hi everyone,
I haven't been active in the group as my reading adventures took me to other destinations (Norway with Knausgaard, Italy with Ferrante, and Ireland with Sebastian Barry plus diversions of a non-geographic nature.) There are a few MENA books that I have read which I would recommend:
My current read is Without a Country by Kulin, Ayşe -- the story of Jewish academics who escaped Germany in 1933 and landed in the newly reformed University and hospitals of Turkey. This is quite a human drama of near escape and acceptance and rejection once landed in Turkey. Recommended.
Some time ago I completed Exit West by Hamid, Mohsin which I gave 5 stars. Immigration is an easy thing to discuss as a concept. As a concept, it’s all about push and pull factors that determine population migration and whether they cross borders legally or illegally. “Conceptually,” there’s no immigrant humanity; no lives, loves, family, hopes or dreams. There’s no ethnic cleansing, no child washed up on the beach. There’s no fear. Exit West spoils any discussion of immigration as a concept. This I would recommend to the group.

Then three books by Kandil, Hazem: Inside the Brotherhood and Soldiers, Spies and Statesmen: Egypt's Road to Revolt and The Power Triangle: Military, Security, and Politics in Regime Change . These are mainly analysing how change happened inside Egypt from a power perspective. Probably not of general interest to the group.

Lastly, and the group my have read this, Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree by Ali, Tariq. I found this very powerful and almost poetic. Some thirty years ago, as a prelude to visiting Cordoba/Grenada, I read Washington Irving's The Alhambra, about his journey to visit the fantastic Moorish palace in Grenada, built by the Muslims who had conquered and settled southern Spain. Images of the architecture, the way waterways were made to work their way through and become part of daily life of the entire complex, the fantastic tiling and tile mosaics has stayed with me over all these years since reading and the visit.

Now I read Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree, set in 1500. Christians had reconquered Andalusia and were in the process of destroying the Muslim culture: burning their books, forcing conversions to Christianity, bringing back the Inquisition. This is again, the Muslim side. Historical fiction at its best.

Steve, I agree completely with your thoughts on Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree. I read this a few years ago and thought it was excellent. I have more of his books (a trilogy I think) and should get back to them.

Shadows of the Pomegranate tree was interesting from the historical point of view, and it was good to see the Muslim perspective. However, I found the characters either extremely flat
- either idealized or demonized. I could not really relate to them.

Ewa, what you say may be true. I read historical fiction for the history and I need just enough humanity in the fiction to keep it interesting.