Modern Novels
- Literacy Rates in the Middle East
In the realm of modern Arabic literature, it is important to recognize that the kind of widespread reading of novels in the Western World does not exist in the Middle East. It is not that there is some sort of dearth of literate adults: currents statistics place most middle eastern countries at adult literacy rates at at least 70% throughout the reagion (most are much higher), though Yemen is the outlier at 50.2%. (1.) (2.) The literacy rates in fact are continuing to climb throughout the middle east. (3.) The difference is in the impetuses that first led to the rise of the novel. While the literacy rates are there, the drive to spend disposable income on them is not, at least not to the extent that exists in the West. Nevertheless, there are, and have been, authors writing novels through the modern era up until the present. It is not as if there are no readers, but the kind of industry that currently exists in the West around the popular novel is not the same. (4.)
Themes
- "Cities without Palms" Cover
As with literature in other regions, the nature of novels in the middle east depends upon the societies in which they are conceived. Youssef Rakha outlines that it more those who draw ire from the religious leaders through some perceived arguable subject matter or passage that are given press than those creating new and laudable works. (4.) Baian Rayhanova contrasts the stories and heroes of the first half of the 20th century with the latter half and the beginning of the 21st century, where the trials and travails brought upon by the wars, economic instability, and foreign interference have changed the optimistic tone of the earlier stories into one that questions the nature of rules, identity, and even reality in the modern world. (5.)
For instance, Cities without Palms by Tarek Ettayeb chronicles the issues of poverty and immigration in the Modern Middle East and Europe, where as Dikkat al-mawta and Saat al-jami by Shakir al-Anbari explore the nature of dreams and sleep in relation to death and disappointment of the modern reality. (5.)
For instance, Cities without Palms by Tarek Ettayeb chronicles the issues of poverty and immigration in the Modern Middle East and Europe, where as Dikkat al-mawta and Saat al-jami by Shakir al-Anbari explore the nature of dreams and sleep in relation to death and disappointment of the modern reality. (5.)
In Relation to the West
It cannot be avoided that most of the Arabic writings encountered by Western readers are inevitably of the inflammatory, Islamic fundamentalist bent. The obvious reason for this is that it is this genre that has author’s most willing to send their message worldwide and in this era of foreign politics dominated by terrorism and transnational terrorist groups linked by a common ideology this is the type of writing that seems most important to the average Western citizen. In terms of the novels themselves, Rakha points to the lack of pressure to write for larger audiences as allowing Arabic author’s to develop specialized avenues for their usage of the language that make proper translation ever harder. (4.)
This works both ways, with the primary image of the West, especially America, in the Middle East is negative and informed by the political, economic, and military actions that are not necessarily representative of the entire culture or peoples. Black Snow by Muhammad Azuqa details a New York consumed by greed and with citizens detached from those around them. Nevertheless, this novel also acknowledges the other aspects of New York culture, especially the art of Broadway. It is not as common as nuance, however. New York 80 by Yusuf Idris is much more damning, stating that all Americans are willing to do anything for money, for all Americans wish to live in luxury. (6.)
This works both ways, with the primary image of the West, especially America, in the Middle East is negative and informed by the political, economic, and military actions that are not necessarily representative of the entire culture or peoples. Black Snow by Muhammad Azuqa details a New York consumed by greed and with citizens detached from those around them. Nevertheless, this novel also acknowledges the other aspects of New York culture, especially the art of Broadway. It is not as common as nuance, however. New York 80 by Yusuf Idris is much more damning, stating that all Americans are willing to do anything for money, for all Americans wish to live in luxury. (6.)
The Arab Spring
- Egyptian Protestors
It would be remiss to not at least touch upon the Arab Spring and the revolutions that swept through the Middle East. As it is a very recent and in many ways on going event, little documentation examining the phenomenon has been published, much less focusing on the literary ties to it.
Rakha's article mentions it, largely to define the differences he sees between the revolutionaries and the literary culture as he understands it. He sees little in the way of influence of Egyptian literary culture or change for literary acknowledgement in the politics and rhetoric of the revolution. (4.)
Rakha's article mentions it, largely to define the differences he sees between the revolutionaries and the literary culture as he understands it. He sees little in the way of influence of Egyptian literary culture or change for literary acknowledgement in the politics and rhetoric of the revolution. (4.)
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(Header Image) Egyptians review Arabic novels and poetry at the Cairo Book fair in Egypt in 2010. (AP). Image from: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/04/28/egyptian-novels
Cities without Palms Cover. Image from: http://www.tower.com/cities-without-palms-modern-arabic-novel-tarek-eltayeb-hardcover/wapi/113027002
Egyptian Protestors. Image from: http://www.thelondoneveningpost.com/africa/questions-being-raised-about-success-of-arab-spring/
(1.) List of Highest Literacy Rates in the Middle East
corroborated by
(2.) Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book (accessed July 15, 2011)
(3.) Dünges P., Arabic Children's Literature Today: Determining Factors and Tendencies
(4.) Rakha Y., In Extremis: Literature and Revolution in Contemporary Cairo
(5.) Rayhanova B. The concept of the hero in modern arabic prose
(6.) Alia Alkassem Abu-Reesh, The Image of America as Reflected in Contemporary Arabic Novels
(Header Image) Egyptians review Arabic novels and poetry at the Cairo Book fair in Egypt in 2010. (AP). Image from: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/04/28/egyptian-novels
Cities without Palms Cover. Image from: http://www.tower.com/cities-without-palms-modern-arabic-novel-tarek-eltayeb-hardcover/wapi/113027002
Egyptian Protestors. Image from: http://www.thelondoneveningpost.com/africa/questions-being-raised-about-success-of-arab-spring/
(1.) List of Highest Literacy Rates in the Middle East
corroborated by
(2.) Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book (accessed July 15, 2011)
(3.) Dünges P., Arabic Children's Literature Today: Determining Factors and Tendencies
(4.) Rakha Y., In Extremis: Literature and Revolution in Contemporary Cairo
(5.) Rayhanova B. The concept of the hero in modern arabic prose
(6.) Alia Alkassem Abu-Reesh, The Image of America as Reflected in Contemporary Arabic Novels