Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Jaliyah, I just added the book. Great review. Thanks.

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

That's going on my tbr list straightaway! So far her only book I've read is 'Mornings in Jenin', which I thought was really good, so I'm definitely going to pick this one up sometime soon.

I read In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar for #7 of the challenge (Libya)
A compelling first person narrative of a nine-year-old boy growing up in Gaddafi's Libya.

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

I read The Arsonists' City by Hala Alyan for #5 of the challenge (Lebanon and Syria).
A character-driven, compelling Lebanese/Syrian family saga. If you enjoyed Alyan's Salt Houses, you'll like this.

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

Tamara wrote: "I read The Arsonists' City by Hala Alyan for #5 of the challenge (Lebanon and Syria).
A character-driven, compelling Lebanese/Syrian family saga. If you enjoyed Aly..."

I did like Salt Houses and I haven't decided yet what to read for #5, so thanks Tamara!

You're welcome, Jalilah! I hope you enjoy it. I think she's very good.

I read Consorts of the Caliphs: Women and the Court of Baghdad by Ibn al-Sai, translated from the Arabic by Shawkat M. Toorawa, for #3 of the challenge: empowering women.

Researched and compiled over 1,000 years ago by a Baghdad scholar, these short biographical sketches of 39 consorts cover a 500 year period, beginning in the 8th century. The sketches include the women's impromptu poems. I found it fascinating to hear their voices through their poetry. The sketches shatter stereotypes about the nature and role of these women.

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

I read Voices of the Lost by Hoda Barakat, translated from the Arabic by Marilyn Booth. It won the 2019 International Prize for Arabic Fiction. The novel gives voice to individuals on the periphery of society--a former torturer/criminal, an illegal immigrant, a sex worker, etc. through their letters which are never sent.

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

I forgot to mention Voices of the Lost will work for #5 of the challenge since the author is from Lebanon.

I read History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-Nine Firsts in Recorded History by Samuel Noah Kramer.
A fascinating look at 39 firsts in ancient Sumer, including the first recorded court case, the first instance of tax reform, the first library catalogue, etc. etc. One of my favorite firsts was a father pleading with his son to focus on his schoolwork instead of gadding about in the streets. It was written 4,000 years ago!

This book will work for #2 of the challenge: a book, fiction or non-fiction, about MENA history.

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

Wendy wrote: "I just wanted to compare notes w/ others in this group to find out what their favorite Middle East reads have been. My recent favorites include "Persian Girls", "The Cry of the Dove" and "Nine Part..."

Loved 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'. That and 'Never a Child' are must reads. The impact of so much suffering motivates sensational stories by brave individuals such as Fatima Hosseini.

It's like everyone 'owes' the writers of stories like 'The Pakistani Bride' by Bapsi Sidhwa' a debt of gratitude by educating themselves regarding the realities of a nasty world. How about the cryptic read 'Never a Child' by Fatima Hosseini or the Bee Keeper of Aleppo?

Does anyone have any recommendations for 19th century literature with Muslim characters?

Hi Mona, Are you interested in fiction? Set in the 19th century? Written in the 19th century? Set in the MENA region or elsewhere? Also, does it need to be available in English? I might have ideas for you when I have better sense of your interests. Thanks!

Hey Melanie, thanks for getting back! Yes, fiction that's available in English. Ideally I'd prefer it written in the 19th century but even if it's set during that period but written in another era, no problem.

As for region, yes MENA region (but I don't mind at all if you have suggestions from other regions.)

Here are a few ideas:

1. Ahdaf Soueif's The Map of Love
2. Radwa Ashour's Siraaj: An Arab Tale
3. Modern Arabic Fiction: An Anthology

And maybe not fiction, but perhaps of interest:
The Arab Renaissance: A Bilingual Anthology of the Nahda: A Bilingual Anthology of the Nahda

Thank you Melanie, I'll be looking into these!

Has The Rock of Tanios by Amin Maaloufbeen read and discussed here?

Not that I know of. Have you read it?

Yes also let me know, happy to re read :)

Melanie wrote: "Not that I know of. Have you read it?"
No, but I'd like to. I am currently watching the Lebanese series The Peasants Rebellion on Netflix. It is not based on the book but is based on the same historical incidents that The Rock of Tanios is based on apparently.

I do like Maalouf. My libraries don’t have it. I may have to invest in it. I checked on Netflix here and couldn’t find that film. I think I want to read this book.

Sue wrote: "I do like Maalouf. My libraries don’t have it. I may have to invest in it. I checked on Netflix here and couldn’t find that film. I think I want to read this book."

Are you in the US? I'm in Canada but have US friends who have seen it
https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/8104...

Thanks for the link, Jalilah. I had to update my app to actually add the show to my list. Done now. That may be why it didn’t show up when I looked the last time.

I mentioned The Rock of Tanios because it's set in the 19th century and if enough people are interested, maybe we could have a group read.

It looks interesting. I’d be interested as long as it isn’t scheduled for a while. I’m overloaded with books right now.

I finished a couple of books lately.

A Quiet Revolution: The Veil's Resurgence, from the Middle East to America by Leila Ahmed.
A well-documented research study of the veil's resurgence and the increasingly activist role of Muslim American women.
The book works for #8 of the challenge: an author from Egypt.

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


The Patience Stone by Atiq Rahimi; translated from the French by Polly McLean.
A compelling novella that gives voice to the plight of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
This works for #12 of the challenge: an author from Afghanistan.

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

Not sure this thread's active, but I am really enjoying Concealed by Esther Amini https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

So many books to our bookshelves :)
Thank you all!

Jalilah wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Not that I know of. Have you read it?"
No, but I'd like to. I am currently watching the Lebanese series The Peasants Rebellion on Netflix. It is not based on the book but is based o..."

I like Amin Maalouf, I can search for the book and would join reading it at some point if you like.
Thanks for telling me about the series, I did not know about it.

I read 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak for #9 of the challenge: an author from Turkey.
The novel opens with the murder of Leila, a prostitute in Istanbul who recalls her life during the liminal phase between death but not quite death. It starts strongly, but parts 2 and 3 disappoint.

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

I read A Night in the Emperor's Garden: A True Story of Hope and Resilience in Afghanistan by Qais Akbar Omar and Stephen Landrigan. The book chronicles the true story of putting on a production of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost in Afghanistan in 2005. It describes the many challenges facing the production and provides a fascinating peek into the daily lives of the actors.

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

I read Samarkand by Amin Maalouf; translated from the French by Russell Harris.
A historical novel linking the two time frames of Omar Khayyam in 11th century Persia with an American in the early 20th century who goes on a quest to locate the original manuscript of the Rubaiyat. An interesting format and an engaging, educational read.

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

I really liked that book Tamara. I’m not sure, but it may have been my first by Maalouf.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sue. I did, too. It is my first book by Maalouf. But it won't be my last. I have to check out and see what else he's written.

I also read and enjoyed Leo Africanus and have a couple more on hand to read at some point.

Thanks. I'll look for it.

Tamara wrote: "I read Samarkand by Amin Maalouf; translated from the French by Russell Harris.
A historical novel linking the two time frames of Omar Khayyam in 11th century Persia wi..."

I read Samarkand back when it came out. I remember liking it, but not as much as Leo the African which I've reread a couple of times.
I should probably reread Samarkand again. I still own a copy, but I plan to read The Rock of Tanios first. Amin Maalouf is hit or miss for me. Some of his books I've adored, others I found boring.

I have the Rock of Tanios in my plan to buy and read, probably later this year or during the winter after seeing it mentioned here. I have copies of The Garden of Light and Balthazar’s Journey too to read eventually. I went on a binge after Leo Africanus.

I read The Wrong End of the Telescope by Rabih Alameddine from Lebanon.
The novel explores the plight of refugees arriving in Lesbos. The narrative unfolds in the first-person voice of Dr. Mina Simpson, a transgender Lebanese-born doctor who answers the call to assist the refugees.
I thought it was good, but I didn't love it as much as Alameddine's An Unnecessary Woman or his The Hakawati.

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

I saw a virtual book/author talk with him last week which was quite interesting. He can be an eloquent speaker.

Sue wrote: "I saw a virtual book/author talk with him last week which was quite interesting. He can be an eloquent speaker."

That must have been quite something. He is so talented and he approaches things from an unusual angle. Aaliya in An Unnecessary Woman is and will always be one of my favorite female characters.

Sue wrote: "I saw a virtual book/author talk with him last week which was quite interesting. He can be an eloquent speaker."
Wow! I'd love to see that!
Tamara wrote: " Aaliya in An Unnecessary Woman is and will always be one of my favorite female characters..."

Same here!

He is an uninhibited conversationalist and talks expansively on subjects he is interested in. I was lucky that he partnered with a local independent bookstore for a virtual book talk.

All I can suggest is that you locate the many possible organizations that may be doing these. I check in with about 5 places now. I’m on their mailing lists. I’ve noticed that Barnes & Noble does these now as do some publishers. Some of the publishers seem to require purchase of the book. I don’t go to those that require purchase though I have bought a couple of books along the way.

I think Aaliya is a good part the author.

I read The Book Smuggler by Omaima Al-Khamis; translated from the Arabic by Sarah Enany.
I had mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the immersion in 11th C Arab capitals, but I think it got bogged down in too many intricate details about sectarian strife, feuds, and who said what to whom.

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

Thanks, Tamara. I totally agree with your review! :)

Melanie wrote: "Thanks, Tamara. I totally agree with your review! :)"

Thanks, Melanie. That makes me feel better.
I hate to be too critical about a book in case it turns people off it.

Yes, I think it's best to be honest. I can see that you try to be even-handed and fair in your judgments. I'll be sharing more information and ideas here in the weeks to come. Hopefully others will have a chance to come up with their own opinions. I look forward to hearing them all :)

I read The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan.
It humanizes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by describing it through the friendship of a Palestinian Arab and an Israeli Jew.

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

This book works for #1 of the challenge.

I can recommend the film too.