"Mansi came out in weekly instalments, starting in 1988, before being collected together and published in 2004. It is a unique type of writing, a combination of biography, autobiography, political analysis, philosophical insight – with a great sense of humor and satire. Translating this work was a joyful experience."
‘Dear Tayeb Salih’
This letter originally appeared in the debut issue of ArabLit Quarterly: Beginnings, published in the Fall of 2018.
First Bulaq Book Club Pick: ‘Season of Migration to the North’
All are invited to read or re-read Season of Migration to the North, look through other books by Salih, and join Bulaq on November 19 (or thereafter).
Available Now: A Translation of Tayeb Salih’s ‘Mansi, A Rare Man in His Own Way’
Salih went on to publish four novels as well as many other books, including his popular منسي إنسان نادر على طريقته (Mansi: A Rare Man in His Own Way), published in 2004, five years before the author's death.
An Artist’s Homage to ‘Season of Migration to the North’
"Omar Khalil’s prints explore Salih’s 20th century masterpiece, a tale of migration from South to North and the pain of return."
On Banipal’s ‘100 Best Arabic Novels’
"Usefully, the Banipal list is not just a list, but also includes brief introductions to both the works and their authors, as well as some contextualization."
Pub Day for ‘ArabLit Quarterly Fall 2018: Beginnings’
Today is publication day for the first-ever ArabLit Quarterly.
Literatures of the Sudan: North and South
Recently, I've been trying to educate myself about literature from the Sudan(s). After all, her historic vote is just one small piece of the Sudan's rich cultural history.
Reading Challenge Update: Shakir Mustafa’s Top 5
Shakir Mustafa (not, you know, Mustafa Shakir) has finally turned in his reading challenge picks. Mustafa is the editor and translator of the excellent Contemporary Iraqi Fiction: An Anthology. I found many gems in the collection, but was a particular fan of the first two stories: "The Turtle Grandmother" and "Yusuf's Tales," by Muhammad Khodayyir. … Continue reading Reading Challenge Update: Shakir Mustafa’s Top 5
Kotob Khan’s Arabic Bestsellers for April 2010
Thanks to Kotob Khan for making these available. Diwan also posts some bestsellers here, although their ranking or time frame isn't clear. I have not seen bestseller lists from other booksellers. Many of the titles are familiar from last month's list. A few are new: Mekkawi Said’s Downtown Acquisitions (3) is presumably a compilation of … Continue reading Kotob Khan’s Arabic Bestsellers for April 2010
