What I want to read

Arab literature has been around for some time, I know, but we are such 'frogs-in-the-well' that we in Kerala havent celebrated these gifted people from the continent yet. Naguib Maffouz's Nobel prize gave the spotlight internationally to Arab Literature, a well-deserved and belated one I should say. But, although the literary scene in my corner of the world boasts of acquaintance with literature with all parts of the world, especially from any place with a struggle, ( with a red tinge) I haven't seen many discussions on Arab literature here,...perhaps I am just not at the right places at the right time.

I am digressing!

My bookermania took me through another blog in the guardian which spoke of the increased interest in the west over writers from Iran, Syria, Palestine, Turkey and Egypt, especially women. I now have a whole new list of must-reads which includes Elif Shafak's The Bastard of Istanbul, Yasmin Crowther's The Saffron Kitchen and Anita Amirezzvani's The Blood of Flowers. So also The Road from Damascus by Robin Yassin-Kassab.

The blog speaks of the IMPAC International literary award with a number of Arab writers adorning the short list.

I cant say that my bookermania has not been educational....I have gone on to read more widely covering more continents and cultures, and yet there is SUCH a lot left to read yet...I do wish the British Council Library hadn't packed up from here... All these books published in UK will not fall into my hands unless I travel to the nearest metro, which is a day's train journey away.

As a tail piece do read this link which was published in 1993 on Arab women writers..
http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0293/9302036.htm