A seasoned scholar, Dr Mojeb Saeed Al Adwani is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading voices in literary criticism and theory. At the College of Arts at King Saud University, he has made an impact, enriching the field with a prolific body of work, analysing the connections between Arab and Western literature. His books include Rewriting the Arab City in Western Novels and his most recent work, Modernity in Saudi Literature: Questions and Paradoxes.
Al Adwani is an active and regular participant in cultural and literary forums and holds leadership roles in prestigious academic institutions. He spoke to Al Majalla, arguing that Arabic criticism was well-positioned for the next phase in its rich history.
Your latest book is Modernity in Saudi Literature: Questions and Paradoxes. How would you summarise these paradoxes, and can they help in understanding the current state of modernity in Saudi Arabia?
The significance of this book lies in its objective approach, relying on academic research and scientific articles, rather than subjective influences, which can often impact reviews and discussions. It engages modernity as a movement and a representation of some creative works that emerged during the 1980s and 90s.
One of the key paradoxes in the book is its analysis of modernity from a perspective that diverges from the mainstream, revealing critical issues tied to genres in Saudi literature. It explores specific modernist phenomena in criticism, poetry, and prose. At times, it focuses on a single work by a specific writer, delving from a particular phenomenon into the story, the novel, and the critical analysis.
This approach, in my view, offers detailed insights that combine the study of individual and collective works. Modernity has undeniably played a pivotal role in shaping Saudi literature, helping it break free from traditional constraints and enabling a re-evaluation through a scientific lens.
This shift has guided literature toward clarity and eloquence, enriching the creative writing experience and steering it away from obscurities often fuelled by biased critiques or misinterpretations of modernity itself. This lends it credibility. It also resonates with creators and scholars, illuminating the most remarkable aspects within it.
How can Arabic literature be presented to Western audiences today? Can translation alone accomplish this?
This question suggests a significant difference between Western literature and other literary traditions. While distinctions may arise due to environmental diversity, literary prominence, and cultural influence, this is not always the case, especially with some Western literature written in languages other than English and French.