The Most Beautiful Short Novels
Below are some exquisite Arabic short novels worth exploring:
The Spider
This profound philosophical novel by Mustafa Mahmoud spans approximately 50 pages. It revolves around the main character, Raghib, who believes that a person lives multiple lives throughout different eras, adopting various names and residing in places entirely distinct from those of their previous incarnations.
Men in the Sun
This work is one of the renowned novels by Ghassan Kanafani and marks his debut published in 1963 in Beirut. It presents the events surrounding the Palestinian Nakba of 1948, portraying the struggles faced by the main characters, and reflects the plight of Palestinian emigrants through four distinct personas.
The Donkey of the Wise Man
This novel by Tewfik Al-Hakim is both entertaining and straightforward, incorporating elements of colloquial Egyptian dialogue. It narrates the story of a man who buys a donkey from a farmer, captivated by its appearance. The protagonist experiences various amusing situations with the donkey, even bringing it along to a hotel.
Tears on the Slopes of Glory
Written by Emad Zaki, this novel tells the tale of an orphaned young man raised by his mother to uphold virtues and diligence, ultimately becoming the doctor he aspired to be in his youth. The author highlights the challenges the protagonist faces throughout his academic and professional journey, as well as the obstacles in his romantic life.
Essence of Loss
This narrative by Atheer Al-Nashmi explores the life of a young girl who endures a tumultuous existence following the loss of her parents at a tender age. She suffers numerous injustices from the society around her, and the curse of loss continues to haunt her for the rest of her life.
The Most Beautiful Global Short Novels
Here are some remarkable global short novels that are worth reading:
Bonjour Tristesse
This is the debut novel of French author Françoise Sagan. It depicts the story of a seventeen-year-old girl named Cécile, who travels to spend her vacation with her father, who lives far away with his wife. The narrative follows her determined efforts to preserve her first love amidst various challenges.
The Love That Killed
This mystery novel by the renowned author Agatha Christie revolves around the murder of a young girl who is preparing for her wedding, along with the subsequent quest to uncover the identity of the killer.
The Little Prince
Written by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this tale features a unique character who draws a curious picture of a snake swallowing an elephant. This imagery comes to life, captivating those around him and compelling him to abandon drawing for a career in aviation. His journey leads to an aircraft malfunction, bringing him face-to-face with a little prince.
The Overcoat
This novella by Russian writer Nikolai Gogol follows a simple government clerk who harbors dreams he wishes to fulfill. Struggling against the harsh realities of life, he finds himself unable to afford a new overcoat, prompting him to save for an entire year to make the purchase.