Notable Arabic Novels of 2020
Among the notable Arabic novels of 2020 are the following:
دفاتر الوراق (The Waraq Notebooks)
This novel, authored by Jordanian writer Jalal Barjas, was published in 2020 by the Arab Institute for Studies and Publishing. It received the 2021 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (also known as the Booker Prize). The narrative unfolds across the cities of Amman and Moscow over a timeframe spanning from 1947 to 2019. The protagonist, Ibrahim, is a well-read bookseller who, after losing his shop, becomes homeless.
Subsequently, Ibrahim experiences isolation and increasing psychological distress, leading to a fractured personality as he becomes entwined with the characters of the novels he once cherished. This descent leads him to commit a series of grave offenses, including theft and murder, and culminates in a suicide attempt. However, his life takes a transformative turn when he encounters a woman who changes his fate. Here are some poignant quotations from the novel:
- “A criminal can be a victim, and your imaginations can turn a victim into a hero.”
- “The world is now in great confusion; those who once called for justice have failed because they were overly paternalistic, while those who shaped a seemingly free world have created new tyrants who ignite wars and monopolize everything, leaving people to die between the clutches of a cosmic mill.”
- “Real life emerges from the audacity to seize what you desire, without caring about what your hands might encounter.”
ورثة آل الشيخ (The Heirs of Al-Sheikh)
Written by Egyptian author Ahmed Al-Qarmalawi, this novel revolves around a legendary treasure tale that has been passed down through generations of the Al-Sheikh family. The storytelling is framed through the grandson-narrator’s quest to uncover the origins of this story, fueled by hope to find clues about the treasure. Alongside this, he endeavors to document and narrate his family’s history. Here are some thought-provoking excerpts from the work:
- “Zubaida often doubted the solidity of her reality; a life cushioned by ostrich feather pillows did not seem realistic enough to her. It was inconceivable that humans could find happiness in such simplicity amidst a world steeped in misery.”
- “I fear loneliness as much as I fear death; it is not a miniature version of death, but rather the worst form of it.”
بساتين البصرة (Gardens of Basra)
Authored by Mansoura Ez Eldin, this narrative follows the aspirations of a young man named “Hisham Khattab,” who possesses a keen interest in rare books and manuscripts. The story captures a brief yet significant historical moment when Wasil ibn Ata distanced himself from the assembly of Hassan Al-Basri in the second century AH in Basra, alongside the internal musings of the protagonist, Hisham. Noteworthy quotes from the novel include:
- “I lived my life aiming to create as many memories as possible. I would experience something but not fully immerse myself in it; a part of me would observe to see if it was rich with exciting memories or not. At that time, I did not realize that starting from a certain age, we no longer seek excitement and thrill, but rather solace and consolation.”
- “Time is an invisible barrier, yet it is the most formidable and harsh of all; there’s no way to breach it and return to our past lives except fleetingly through memories that toy with us amidst their whims.”
- “In front of the house, I looked up at the sky but found no moon; it was concealed beyond my knowledge. Darkness loomed, and I thought that in committing what I did, I had concealed the celestial crime, bringing darkness into the world—at least my world.”
قاف قاتل، سين سعيد (Killing Qaf, Sayed’s Scene)
This novel, penned by Kuwaiti author Abdullah Al-Bseis, narrates a police raid on the home of Um Gharib, where officers discover remnants such as cigarettes, tea-making utensils, a stick, and various other items left behind by the occupants during the invasion. Among the findings is a military boot, prompting an investigation into Sayed’s murder, years after the event.
Furthermore, the novel provides insight into the societal shifts experienced in Kuwait since the 1990s, particularly in the relationships between parents and children. Here are some of the striking quotes from the book:
- “Then the days moved on, doing what they always do: taking every moment and passing.”
- “Nostalgia arises only for things that cannot return; yearning is for those that hold the possibility of returning. Thus, nostalgia feels the chill of despair, while yearning exudes the warmth of hope.”
- “Things remain unreal until they are assigned names and words to describe them.”
- “Meaning is not painted; words merely point to it, and the mind seeks to grasp it.”