9 Books By Middle Eastern Authors To Read This Winter

Dive into stories born from the region…

Contemporary Middle Eastern literature blossoms at the intersection of tradition and modernity, crossing over from the linage of heritage Arabic literature and poetry. Storylines tend to reflect the region’s complexity as the Arab world forms the backdrop to wonderfully written and complex characters. Authors delve into rich cultural tapestries, exploring themes of identity, diaspora, and societal change, resulting in the creation of a vibrant literary landscape that resonates globally. This genre steams from classic Arab literature, which is an internationally celebrated collection of introspective, and sometimes painful storytelling.

Bazaar curates a dream-filled book Wishlist, celebrating regional creativity.

9 Books By Middle Eastern Authors To Read This Winter

Bunny by Mona Awad

Bunny, published in 2019, combines dark academic satire with a creepy horror narrative. It delves into the world of a scholarship student, captivated by her sinister imagination, exploring themes of loneliness, friendship, desire, and the unsettling power of creativity.

Mona Awad is of Egyptian heritage and shares her navigation of this facet of her identity in her novel Rouge, another beautifully dark work released by the author this past September.

Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz

Naguib Mahfouz is best known for the Cairo Trilogy, his magnum opus, representing some of his most important work and Classic Arab Literature at large. Palace Walk (1956), Palace of Desire (1957), and Sugar Street (1957) comprise the saga. Each book delves into the intricate tapestry of a Cairo family, spanning from 1917 to 1952, capturing the essence of the lives and the socio-political landscape of Egypt through the qualms of three generations. Each begins with the perspective of the patriarch, Ahmad Abd al-Jawad, as the stories gracefully traverse through the generations, offering readers a vivid glimpse at a changing Egypt, especially in the second and third book.

Mahfouz’s tender storytelling continues to be internationally celebrated, and in 1988 he became the first Arabic writer to be honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature, cementing his legacy.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouth

Alama Kassab goes from leading a normal life as a pharmacy student to finding herself amidst Syria’s chaos. Going on to volunteer in a Homs hospital, she grapples with fear and uncertainty. Torn between loyalty and survival, she navigates peril, moral dilemmas, and unexpected connections, questioning her resolve to leave. Author Zoulfa Katouh shares that the book’s title is inspired by Nizar Qabbani’s poem: “every lemon shall bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out.”

Zoulfa Katouh is a Syrian-Canadian living in Switzerland and is currently pursuing a master’s in Drug Sciences.

The Silence and the Roar by Nihad Sirees

This work is a Kafkaesque novel that follows the protagonist on their journey of self-discovery, taking place in an unnamed country, under an unnamed totalitarian government. Fathi Sheen’s internal struggle for creative freedom mirrors the societal landscape. He is a man who is also his country; the journey that is set in motion in this novel is a quest for individuality, sacrifices are made, fears are confronted, but finds his spirit.

We are left with a stunningly honest and, at some points strange, navigation of personhood, a reminder of the enduring human spirit, and a powerful narrative grounded in Arab realities. The author, Nihad Sirees, is Syrian and currently resides in Berlin.

Our Women on The Ground, edited by Zahra Hankir

This acclaimed anthology features personal essays by 19 Arab sahafiya — female journalists. It’s a ground-breaking report on evolving homelands, with a foreword by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Through heartfelt chapters, these women illuminate the unique challenges faced in reporting on the Arab world, challenging gender stereotypes pervasive in male-dominated journalism.

Zahra is a Lebanese-British journalist who delves into the intersection of politics, culture, and society in the Middle East. Bringing forward an insightful narrative that sheds light on the region’s complexities.

Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi

Frankenstein in Baghdad stands as a crucial example of Arab horror literature due to its innovative approach to the genre. By reimagining Mary Shelley’s classic within the context of contemporary, war-torn Iraq, the 2014 IPAF winning novel, explores the psychological horrors of conflict, the consequences of violence, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. Through its blend of supernatural elements and stark realism, the book offers a unique perspective on Arab horror as a genre. Ahmed Saadawi’s work demonstrates the ability of Arab literature to engage with universal themes while providing a distinctly Arab perspective, making it an important and impactful contribution to the world of horror fiction.

Bride of the Sea by Eman Quotah

Eman Quotah’s Bride of the Sea delves into the lives of Muneer and Saeedah, newlyweds and students expecting their first child, whose relationship soon shatters into divorce. Set against the backdrop of cultural clashes, immigration, and family secrets, the story explores the profound impact of their choices on their daughter Hanadi. The story is a poignant narrative of love, distance, and heartbreak, offering an intimate portrayal of loss, healing, and an exploration of divorce in a culture that shies away from discussing such matters.

In her youth, Eman lived in both the United States and Saudi Arabia; this is reflected in her work – which takes time to explore the history between the countries and beautifully explain cultural nuances to the reader.

The Critical Case of a Man Called K by Aziz Mohammad

This story delves into the existential struggle of K, a character deeply influenced by Kafka’s work. Frustrated by life’s mundanity, K’s perspective shifts dramatically upon discovering his leukemia diagnosis. This revelation becomes a lens through which he analyses human existence and societal norms. Aziz Mohammad, a talented Saudi writer, skilfully weaves this introspective narrative, earning his debut novel a spot on the shortlist for the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction.

Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

In this captivating novel, Sonia, a 38-year-old actor, embarks on a profound journey back to her Palestinian roots from London. The narrative takes a powerful turn when she becomes part of a local production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a play historically banned in the region. Through Sonia’s portrayal of Gertrude, the story examines the intricate layers of identity, the nuances of cultural conflict, and the compelling transformative nature of theater. It offers readers a deeply moving narrative that illuminates the lived realities of Palestinians in the West Bank, skillfully interweaving themes of resilience, the struggle for self-discovery, and the complex performance of identity in everyday life.

The book’s title Enter Ghost is reference to a stage direction in Act 1 Scene 5 of the classic Shakespearean tragedy, the ghost represents unresolved issues, justice, and the consequences of one’s actions. The Ghost of Hamlet’s father also a reminder of the feedback mechanism between past and present, a theme that spills into the cultural landscape.