In this edition of our column for global literary news, Arabic titles are celebrated with the National Book Award’s longlist of Translated Literature, a vital literacy program in Kenya travels to a women’s prison, and a new cinematic adaptation of one of Mexico’s most important novels premiers at the Toronto International Film Festival. Read on to find out more!
Ibrahim Fawzy, Editor-at-Large, reporting from Egypt
Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, literature emerges as a beacon of hope. Now translated into English, three Arabic literary works have been longlisted for the prestigious National Book Award for Translated Literature, standing as testaments to the resilience of the human spirit. Nasser Abu Srour’s The Tale of a Wall: Reflections on the Meaning of Hope and Freedom, translated by Luke Leafgren, is a poignant memoir recounting his decades-long imprisonment in Israeli jails. Through the lens of his imagination, Abu Srour transforms confinement into a realm of boundless possibility, exploring themes of love, justice, and the unwavering power of hope. The book’s evocative prose and its author’s unflinching honesty combine into a compelling narrative that has resonated with readers around the globe; interested readers can also see an excerpt published on Asymptote as a part of our All Eyes on Palestine column.
Additionally, Leri Price, a frequent contender for the National Book Award, has once again made the longlist with her translation of Samar Yazbek’s Where the Wind Calls Home (which Asymptote had selected for the February edition of our Book Club). This haunting novel delves into the complexities of human relationships and the devastating impact of war on individuals and communities. Another longlisted work is Bothayna al-Essa’s The Book Censor’s Library, co-translated by Ranya Abdelrahman and Sawad Hussain. This thought-provoking novel examines the censorship of literature and its profound implications for society. I’m so glad that Arabic literature is shining thanks to the fabulous work of its translators.
Beyond awards, the literary scene in Egypt continues to thrive. Last week, Beit al-Hikma/ The House of Wisdom hosted a lively panel discussion on the role of social media book clubs in shaping literary culture in Egypt. Participants explored the transformative power of online communities in fostering a love of reading and promoting meaningful dialogue. Maram Shawki, Seif El-Din Essam, and Sarah Ibrahim—three social media book club administrators—shared their experiences and insights regarding the impact of these virtual communities. They discussed how book clubs have become vital platforms for readers to connect, share their thoughts, and discover new authors. The panel also addressed the potential for reader reviews to spark a parallel literary criticism movement in Egypt. Addressing the potential for commercial influence, the panelists reaffirmed their commitment to running their clubs voluntarily and without profit motives.
As the literary world navigates contemporary challenges, the remarkable work of writers, readers, and publishers testify to the enduring power of the written word. They remind us that even in the darkest times, literature can illuminate our path and inspire us to strive for a better future. Before signing off, I would like to congratulate my mentor at the National Center for Writing, Sawad Hussain, on being named Wasafiri’s inaugural Translator-in-Residence. Sawad Hussain’s workshops and contributions will introduce new audiences to the rich tapestry of literature from around the globe, and during her six-month residency at Wasafiri, she will curate and host three in-person and online writing workshops and events—while also crafting her own work for publication with the magazine. I can’t wait to see all the amazing work Sawad will bring to the world during this residency.
Wambua Muindi, Editor-at-Large, reporting from Kenya
On September 10, Joseph Muthee launched the newly translated Mau Mau Detainee at the University of Nairobi. Originally published as Kizuizini by Kwani Trust in 2006, Mau Mau Detainee is an autobiographical account of Muthee’s encounter with violence under the colonial government, archiving one man’s story of Kenya’s struggle for independence. Born in 1928, Muthee’s coming-of-age was characterized by a state of emergency, during which the colonial machine scaled its violence to the extreme, and this memoir details the inhumane conditions he faced in those years as a freedom fighter. Throughout his writings, he describes his encounters in different detention camps in the country; in Manyani, he had plucked his beard one hair at a time—only one such example of the torture he underwent after choosing to leave school and join the armed struggle for independence. Mau Mau Detainee was translated from Swahili to English by Billy Kahora of Bristol University.
On September 28, AMKA Literature Forum will take place at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison. AMKA is a registered NGO that focuses on the creativity of women, and its Literature Forum is an open platform for upcoming writers and literary critics, held every last Saturday of the month throughout the year in partnership with the Goethe Institut Nairobi. Normally, the event takes place at the Goethe Institut Library, but this is upcoming edition is aimed towards fostering community between inmates in the correctional facility.
Miranda Mazariegos, Editor-at-Large, reporting from Mexico
Mexican film director Rodrigo Prieto has remade one of the most famous Latin American novels for the screen: Pedro Páramo. Almost seventy years after the original book publication, Juan Rulfo’s acclaimed novel will debut on the big screen at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. According to John DiLillo, the book is a “defining work of magical realism that paved the way for the future of Latin American literature.” The movie is set to premiere on Netflix in early November.
Set in the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, Rulfo’s classic novel tells the story of a seemingly abandoned Mexican town where the novel’s main character, Juan Preciado, arrives in search of his father. Exploring the liminal space between the dead and the living, the book explores themes of identity, generational pain, and sociopolitical injustices. In his director’s note, Prieto said that he hopes the film will be seen not only as a reflection of the richness of Mexican culture, but also “as a universal story of the shared human experience of searching for our identity.”
Prieto is well-known in Hollywood for working as a cinematographer in award-winning films such as Barbie (2023), Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Brokeback Mountain (2005) and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). Pedro Páramo is his directorial debut.
*****
Read more on the Asymptote blog: