The Doves Necklace

The International Prize for Arabic Fiction – or, as it’s popularly known, the “Arabic Booker” – has attracted a wealth of controversy in its first four years. A number of prominent authors have refused to let their books be nominated for the prize, which has been accused of, among other things, being too closely allied with governmental powers, discriminating against women and rewarding novels that cater to western interests.

Organizers have announced the winners of the 2011 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF, or “Arabic Booker”).

This year judges have hedged their bets, as it’s not one novel, but two: The Arch and the Butterfly, by Moroccan author Mohammed Achaari, and The Doves’ Necklace, by Saudi author Raja Alem.