Beyond The Dunes: An Anthology of Modern Saudi Literature Review

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Beyond The Dunes: An Anthology of Modern Saudi Literature ReviewA Saudi friend mailed a copy of this book to me; not only am I grateful, but I might even be a bit wiser too.
I was truly astonished at the sheer range of works, as well as the number of authors, largely unknown in the West; certainly to a large degree this is due to the lack of their works in English translation. The anthology includes the work of 93 different authors. The book is divided into five main categories: poetry, short stories, excerpts from novels, plays, and memoirs. The selections were made by the editors, Mansour al Hazimi, Ezzat Khattab, and Salma Khadra Jayyusi. The first two are Professor Emeritus at King Saud University in Riyadh; the last is the founder and director of East-West Nexus / PROTA (Project of Translation from Arabic). Of necessity, since the three decided to be so inclusive, the quality varies (and the range of styles make universal appreciation difficult.)
Like the Russians, the Arabs consider poetry a necessary avocation. But in translation, poetry can only be that pale shadow on the cave's wall. One must be most circumspect in judgment when the essence of the poem, its euphony and word association in one language is missing in the other. Compound that thought with the old adage that more people write poetry than read it (and normally I do neither), so that true appreciation for the power of these poems in Arab society for a non-Arab is almost impossible (though I was enchanted one evening around the proverbial campfire...)
Part II contains short stories. In general, they are "too" short; sometimes only a couple of pages, and thus there is insufficient space to reasonably develop a tale. The themes cover many of the joys, as well as the problems of life and society. "Jinns," the "spirits" that inhabit (apparently) all too many Arab consciousness weave their way through many a story. Umaima al-Khamees addresses the issue of slavery, and being sent off to an "old folk's home" at 50 (gulp!) in "Salma the Omani." Najat Khayyat deals with the theme of wife abuse in "One Day the Sun Will Rise," (like when the husband dies!) "Crazy Minutes" by Hiyam al-Mifleh focuses on the "butterflies" in one stomach before a "reading." Abdullah al-Nasser has more on the world of "jinns," and the perils of love outside one's "caste," which permeates most societies in the broader sense of caste. And it was a pleasure to find a former colleague from King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the book: Sa'd al-Dosari, once, and perhaps still, of the gaily colored sport coats. In "The Mirror" he deftly attacks the issue of a young woman married to a much older man. Ruqayya al-Shabeeb covers the craziness of the court system, in "The Appeal"; regrettably it seemed particularly relevant to my own stage in life. Hussa al-Tuwaijiri depicts bittersweet revenge against an overbearing husband in "My Hair Grew Long Again." Qumasha al-Ulayyan, in "Days with No Hope" deals with the delicate problem of male sterility. And the desertion of the wife, when the husband decides to move to the big city, is told by Khairiyya Ibrahim al-Saqqaf in "And the Step Changed."
In the excerpts from novels, I enjoyed Ibrahim al-Nasser's "A Split in the Night's Attire." It is a chronicle of a boy obtaining his "education" from a Mullah. But several others covered the range of life in the Kingdom, as well as the Arab world. "The Price of Sacrifice," by Hamid Damanhury involves four students, all different character types, studying abroad, in Cairo. Abdul al-Aziz al-Mishi story involves clan fighting over the actions of one Turk between villages in the Asir. In the end, the poets make the peace, al-humdullah. The one that I enjoyed the most was Lailas al-Juhani's "Barren Paradise," set in Jeddah. She made the following droll observation about expats: "They didn't notice things." Indeed, alas, we were oblivious to so much that was going on around us. Well put. Also noteworthy is Turki al-Hamad's "Al-Adama" which concerns the reading of "subversive" literature in Damman prior to going to Riyadh. Speaking of not noticing things, who would have thought that Guevara, Debray and Fanon were read right next to those oil wells, along with Sholokhov's And Quiet Flows the Don
Plays, like poetry, can be a difficult read. I did chortle through Abdullah Abd al-Jabbar's "The Dumb Devils" which reminded me (painfully) of far too committee meetings, including those on the now infamous School Board. Muhammad al-Utheim, demonstrated an innovated technique of juxtaposing the "Bani `Ishreen," (the people of the 20th Century) with the hoary tribal customs of old.
Finally, the memoir section was broad, and full of unique reminisces, at least for non-Saudis. Madyan was a young Libyan laborer, orphaned between the World Wars, supporting his mother at the age of 9 as a laborer, before establishing a literary career in the Kingdom. "Azeez Diya" depicted another type of "hijra," a flight from Medina to Damascus as a child during World War I. The son of the current Crown Prince, Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz gives his take on his family, and the Gulf War of 1990-91. Hasan Naseef also covers student life in Egypt, between the wars. Imagine Saudis wearing the fez! It was done. Abdul al-Aziz al-Rabee covered Medina in the days of yore, before the automobile, and had an interesting observation on the bicycle, and it being shunned (then) as a method of transport. Finally, Sultana al-Sidairi shares childhood reminisces of a village in the very far north, almost impossible for the average person to reach: Qurayyat.
Overall, this is an excellent sampling of the Kingdom's writers; an essential book for Saudis and non-Saudis interested in the Kingdom, and an essential antidote to the many "fantasy" book that have been written about the country. Almost all themes are addressed, save for the two always omitted on "Tash ma Tash." I found the fact that Abdul Rahman Al Munif and Yousef Al-Mohaimeed were not even mentioned to be inexplicable (well, sorta inexplicable.) It would also have been most beneficial if the editors specifically stated the availability of the author's works in English. Finally, it really would be appropriate to slash the current plus $100 price so more people could purchase it. That is what sponsorship should be all about. 4-stars.
Thanks again, Tariq.
Beyond The Dunes: An Anthology of Modern Saudi Literature OverviewThis collection opens up the diverse and rich contemporary literature of Saudi Arabia to an English-speaking audience. Salma K Jayyusi, Mansour al-Hazimi and Izzat Khattab have put together a varied selection of poetry, short stories, novel extracts, personal accounts, drama and essays which provide a fascinating insight into the challenges and tensions of a culture that is delicately balancing the demands of transformation while holding onto highly cherished values and norms.

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