Middle East/North African Lit discussion

I finished The Egyptian by Mika Waltari, a 1940s international best seller. The setting is ancient Egypt at the time of Pharaoh Akhnaton. It is told in the first person point of view of Sinuhe, Akhnaton's physician. The book is long but well worth reading. Waltari's research is impressive. He paints a compelling portrait of life in ancient Egypt at a time of political upheaval.

I think it is a much stronger novel than Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth because the image of ancient Egypt that emerges is far more vivid and detailed.

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

Tamara wrote: "I posted this yesterday in the thread on the 2019 challenge. But since it's also a book some of you might enjoy, I'm posting it here.

I finished The Adventures of Ibn Battuta: A Muslim Trav..."</i>

I have the book but never had a chance to read it. I really like the review that you wrote.
I did a short research on Mulism travelers and also read [book:The Travels of Ibn Battutah with an old translation. Do you know if there is a better translation, or should I just read Ross E. Dunn's book?

thnks

Hami, I wish I could be more help, but I don't know if there is a better edition of The Adventures of Ibn Battuta: A Muslim Traveler of the Fourteenth Century, Revised Edition, with a New Preface because it is the only one I've read. But it's not a translation. It's a description, analysis, and commentary of Ibn Battuta's travels. I really enjoyed it and appreciated Ross' discussion and background information.
I'm glad you liked my review.

Tamara wrote: "I finished The Egyptian by Mika Waltari, a 1940s international best seller. The setting is ancient Egypt at the time of Pharaoh Akhnaton. It is told in the first person ..."

Thanks for sharing ! :)

Niledaughter wrote: "Thanks for sharing!..."

You're welcome.

I just finished reading a book by Raja F. Nejem: When in the Arab World: An Insider's Guide to Living and Working with Arab Culture. It explains to non-Arabs many things that would be useful to them if they have close dealings with people from Arab countries. I found it very informative, enjoyable and helpful. I think it might also be of interest to other members of the group.

Niledaughter has just added it to the group bookshelf--thank you!

You Richard,
are welcome ! :)

Elif Shafak's new novel 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World is in the long list for the 2019 Booker Prize. I thought folks would want to know since we have a lot of her fans on this list. I'm one of them!

Tamara wrote: "Elif Shafak's new novel 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World is in the long list for the 2019 Booker Prize. I thought folks would want to know since we have a lot of her fans..."
Thanks for letting me know!
I am definitely a fan!

I finished The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani. It focuses on the fate of a young girl passionate about making rugs. The setting is 17th century Persia. The details bring the sights and sounds and smells of the city to life. The description of rug-making was fascinating. And in true Middle Eastern fashion, there are folk tales within the tale.

It reminded me of some of the writing of Elif Shafak. I think if you enjoy her writing, you will probably enjoy this.

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

I read Laila Lalami's The Other Americans. I thought it was quite good but not up to the level of The Moor's Account.

My 3-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Salt Houses by Hala Alyan, a compelling narrative about the impact on a Palestinian family of being displaced from their homeland. It's a very powerful book and I highly recommend it.

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

I read The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson. It started off really strongly, but then I thought the story got a bit bogged down with a convoluted plot. A bit disappointing since it was based on a beautiful 12th century poem, The Conference of the Birds.

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

If you're interested in the development of Christianity, I highly recommend How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart D. Ehrman.
Prof. Ehrman is a biblical scholar who has written nearly two dozen books on early Christianity. This book may not be for everyone, but I thought it was a fascinating study.
I'm counting it for #2 in the challenge: a book about MENA history.

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

I finished The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad, translated by Ingrid Christopherson.
She is a Norwegian journalist who spent 4 months in the home of a Kabul bookseller. It was strong in some areas, but I wish she had let the Afghan women speak for themselves instead of interpreting and mediating for them.

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

I read Gilgamesh: The Life of a Poem by Michael Schmidt. It's an exploration of the various aspects of the ancient Mesopotamian poem, including its translations and interpretations. It's not for everyone, but if you're like me and love the poem, you'll enjoy this.

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

I read Disoriental by Négar Djavadi about the experiences of an Iranian family fleeing Iran to live in France.

I'd be interested to know what others think of it. I thought it was great, but I'm not sure if that is because the experience she describes resonates closely with mine. I am a child of immigrants. I was born in Iraq but raised in England by traditional parents who longed to go back to their homeland but couldn't for political reasons. So I understand very clearly what she means by disoriental.

I don't know if the parallel experience explains why I loved the novel so much or if it is because it really is a wonderful novel. I'd love to know what others think of it.

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

This sounds interesting, Tamara, and my library system has it as an ebook. I think I will place a hold on it.

Great! Let us know what you think of it, Sue.

I will make a note to do so, Tamara.

Tamara wrote: "I read Disoriental by Négar Djavadi about the experiences of an Iranian family fleeing Iran to live in France.

I'd be interested to know what others think of it. ..."

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll try to find a copy of that, Tamara.

I read The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. A very moving and sensitive portrayal of a Syrian couple as refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria. The story was well-crafted and the writing was excellent.

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

I read The Translator by Leila Aboulela. A tender love story between a Sudanese widow and a Scottish professor. I've read a couple of Aboulela's novels and love the way she writes. Her writing is elegant and restrained.

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

Thanks Tamara, I enjoyed that one too :)

Tamara wrote: "I read The Translator by Leila Aboulela. A tender love story between a Sudanese widow and a Scottish professor. I've read a couple of Aboulela's novels and love the way..."

That was the first book I read by Leila Aboulela. It got me hooked to her writing!

Jalilah wrote: "That was the first book I read by Leila Aboulela. It got me hooked to her writing!.."

I've loved everything of hers I've read. My favorite is The Kindness of Enemies.

Tamara wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "That was the first book I read by Leila Aboulela. It got me hooked to her writing!.."

I've loved everything of hers I've read. My favorite is The Kindness of Enemies."

Mine too!

Tamara wrote: "I read Disoriental by Négar Djavadi about the experiences of an Iranian family fleeing Iran to live in France.

I'd be interested to know what others think of it. ..."

I have had this book on my shelf for quite a few months! I'm definitely going to be reading it very soon.

I'm wondering if you have ever read A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar. I'm close to 100 pages in and I find myself really enjoying it, and wondering if it's maybe a more compelling read specifically for children of immigrants from the Arab side of the Gulf Wars... I'm not in that category but being from a Gulf country and spending most of my life abroad there's still a lot that resonates to me!

Fatma wrote: "I'm close to 100 pages in and I find myself really enjoying it, and wondering if it's maybe a more compelling read specifically for children of immigrants from the Arab side of the Gulf Wars.."

It's funny you say that, Fatma because I wondered the same thing about Disoriental. It resonated with me in so many ways.

The title word combines the disorientation characterizing the immigrant experience with that of families moving from the orient to Europe. It also applies to the disintegration of a large, cohesive family unit uprooted from its homeland to scatter all over the globe.
(From my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)

I was born in Iraq and raised in England so I could relate to it in so many ways. But I did wonder if it is the shared experience that made it so compelling for me.

Fatma wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I read Disoriental by Négar Djavadi about the experiences of an Iranian family fleeing Iran to live in France.

I'd be interested to know what other..."

I really enjoyed both Disoriental and A Map of Home. Being of mixed ancestry and having lived in many countries these types of books always resonate with me!

I read The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun, a thought-provoking novel which interrogates class and racial tensions, age-disparity, and a traditional versus a modern view of a Moroccan marriage. I thought it was an interesting approach, skillfully handled.

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

In case you haven't read it or are looking for a book from one of the "Stan" countries I highly recommend Jamilia by Chingiz Aitmatov. It's so beautiful!

Hello,

It is a pleasure to make your virtual acquaintance.

I hope I am in the correct thread. I am an avid reader of books with Iranian themes.

I highly recommend and


My journey into all things Iranian began sitting next to Reza Abedi at a Little League game in 2004.

Reza and I taught at the same high school and since our sons played together, we found ourselves having a casual conversation on a lovely Spring Saturday.

A conversation that would change my life.

Reza shared with me that he “ran to third base” the first time he hit a baseball. After we had a good natured laugh, Reza began to share his story. What I did not understand at the time was that I, too, couldn’t find my way to first base.

My absolute ignorance regarding Iranian identity, culture, history and politics sent me running to third. As Reza told his story to me, I knew I had to share it. And not just his journey, but my own.

Reza, one of 10 children born in Kermanshah in 1960, survived The 1979 Revolution, The Iran-Iraq War and made international news when he defected during the World Wrestling Tournament in 1982.

Then there’s my story--a girl from white-picket fence America in a household of 2.2 children, gold shag carpet and a station wagon. Reza’s story had to be told, not only for Reza, but also for the millions of Americans who are just like me--who are running to third base.

For whom, Iran has been banished to the 1979 shadows of blindfolded hostages and flaming American flags. By

By sharing our story, we've tried to change that.

I have poured myself into learning everything I could about (in my opinion) one of the most misunderstood events in contemporary history.

I support all stories that authentically celebrate the rich history, culture and beauty of Iran.

Merci,
Kristin

I'm not sure if this will appeal to anyone but I found it fascinating. It is a work of non-fiction called Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States by James C. Scott.

Scott's analysis of state formation focuses primarily on ancient Mesopotamia. He challenges the narrative that states were formed as a result of the domestication of animals and plants. The study is replete with fascinating insights.

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

I just finished Tales from Dayrut, Mohamed Mustagab. This book was a challenge at first trying to Rembember all the characters and plots. It opened up some different ways of thinking about things. I’m thinking there may be more to understand about these stories than I know. Does anyone know where I could find a review or other material? The book or author?
Thank You
Nan Carter

I read Apeirogon by Colum McCann for #1 of this challenge.
Based on the true story of the tragic deaths of two young girls and the unlikely friendship and collaboration forged by their respective fathers--an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian Muslim. A challenging read that leaves a profound impact.

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

I read Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela. About three Muslim women living in Scotland who make a road trip to visit the grave of Lady Evelyn Cobbold, a Scottish convert to Islam and the first British woman to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.
I didn't think the novel was as good as any of her other books. Her plunge into magical realism didn't work for me.

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

I agree, Tamara. There were lots of interesting elements for me, and I think she’s a talented writer. But the end product wasn’t something I would reread, unlike her book “The Translator.”

Melanie, I'm glad I'm not alone in my assessment of Bird Summons :)

I've read and thoroughly enjoyed The Translator, Lyrics Alley, and Elsewhere, Home. My favorite is still The Kindness of Enemies.

Tamara wrote: "I read Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela. About three Muslim women living in Scotland who make a road trip to visit the grave of Lady Evelyn Cobbold, a Scottish convert ..."


Although I liked it more than you did Tamara, I have to agree her other books are better with The Kindness of Enemies still being my favourite.

Just a suggestion, but I think there might be spoilers in your review.
(view spoiler)[In the beginning the little boy that Mona sees seems realistic enough. The relationship did not seem fantastical until he started to grow although I did susoect early on he might be a figment of her imagination (hide spoiler)]. Anyways that's how it was for me!

I read The Wedding of Zein by Tayeb Salih, translated from the Arabic by Denys Johnson-Davies.
A delightful novella about life in a Sudanese village and the village idiot who turns out not to be such an idiot, after all.

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

Thanks Tamara. I read this years ago. Glad you liked it!

I am a fan of leila Abulela’s early works but the last books I couldn’t go beyond 30%, I felt the books were trying too hard and preaching a bit.

Inji wrote: "I am a fan of leila Abulela’s early works but the last books I couldn’t go beyond 30%, I felt the books were trying too hard and preaching a bit."

Although I finished reading each of Aboulela's books, I agree with you some can be a bit preachy and uneven. My favorite of hers is still The Kindness of Enemies. If you haven't read it yet, that's the one I would recommend.

I agree with you both. My personal favorite is The Translator so far. I feel like she has great potential...

Tamara wrote: "Inji wrote: "I am a fan of leila Abulela’s early works but the last books I couldn’t go beyond 30%, I felt the books were trying too hard and preaching a bit."

Although I finished reading each of ..."

"The Kindness of Enemies" is one of my favourite books of Abulela's books. Totally agree :)

I will give the kindness of enemies a second chance then.

I’m adding it to my list.

Finished Absent: A Novel by Betool Khedairi, translated from Arabic by Muhayman Jamil.
I think there were some issues with it, but, on the whole, it presented a compelling portrait of Iraqi civilians living under horrific circumstances of economic sanctions and constant bombings during the 1990s.

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

I read Against the Loveless World, Susan Abulhawa's latest book. I was deeply moved. It is imo her best book yet.