The Arab world has a vibrant and rich literary scene. At Al Majalla, we highlight some of our favourite picks—from philosophy and history to science, politics, and culture.
Title: Myths and Blood
By: Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Rasheed
Publisher: Jadawel Publishing – Lebanon
In Myths and Blood, the roots of violence and extremism in radical Islamist movements are explored, beginning with Organisation 65 and its connection to Mohammed Qutb, who is described as orbiting the intellectual framework of his elder brother, the Egyptian revolutionary and leading Muslim Brotherhood member Sayyid Qutb.
After Sayyid was executed by Cairo, Mohammed moved to Saudi Arabia to continue disseminating his brother’s ideas. The author traces the origins of those ideas and those of Islamist groups back to Abu al-A’la Maududi’s theory of Hakimiyyah (divine sovereignty) and the concept of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) that Maududi and Qutb attributed to contemporary Muslim societies.
The book also examines Mohammed Qutb’s role in the so-called ‘Islamic Awakening’ (Sahwa) in the Arabian Gulf and investigates Iran’s links to extremist groups. One of its most striking revelations is the documentation of a meeting between Imad Mughniyeh of Hezbollah and Osama bin Laden of Al-Qaeda, among other related topics.
Title: Illuminations on the Theatre of Farhan Bulbul and the Labour Theatre Troupe in Homs (1973–2011)
By: Abdul Karim Omarain
Publisher: Canaan Publishing – Syria
This comprehensive and insightful study by Syrian author Abdul Karim Omarain explores the theatre of Farhan Bulbul, one of Syria’s most influential playwrights and directors over the past half-century.
The book also examines the pivotal role of the Labour Theatre Troupe in the city of Homs, presenting its evolution and contributions, starting with what the author identifies as ‘theatrical character’, which shows how Bulbul’s work prioritises character development as a cornerstone of his dramatic narrative.
The second section shifts focus to the Labor Theatre Troupe in Homs, chronicling its history and evolution.
Title: The Secret Life of Maha Tawfiq
By: Heba Abdel Alim
Publisher: Al-Mutawassit Publications – Italy
Novelist Heba Abdel Alim uses this book to intricately explore the tumultuous life of Maha Tawfiq, a translator and photographer whose world is upended when her husband abruptly leaves her without explanation.
Following their separation, Maha moves back in with her family, only to find their constant interference suffocating and conflict-ridden. Needing independence and solace, she makes the bold decision to live alone in a distant apartment.
Once there, she grapples with emotional turmoil and an overwhelming sense of isolation. Desperate to escape her reality, she embarks on a precarious and morally ambiguous journey.
Turning to social media, she adopts fake identities to form relationships with men. Yet these virtual interactions take unpredictable and often disastrous turns.
Title: Dictionary of Philosophy
By: Various Contributors
Translator: Lotfi Said Mansour
Publisher: Dar Al-Rafidain – Lebanon/Iraq
Dictionary of Philosophy distinguishes itself within its domain by offering more than simple definitions of philosophical terms.
It provides a rich exploration of the intellectual contexts in which these terms originated, tracing their roots and situating them within their respective philosophical disciplines. It also investigates the motivations and reasoning behind the adoption of these terms.
Covering a broad spectrum of concepts—from foundational classical ideas to cutting-edge contemporary notions—it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding philosophical thought. Its uniqueness lies in its methodology, allowing philosophers themselves to articulate the meanings of the terms they employ.
By incorporating excerpts from philosophers’ works, it creates a dynamic narrative that maps the historical evolution of philosophical language.
Title: Hind, or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
By: Hoda Barakat
Publisher: Dar Al-Adab – Lebanon
In this book, author Hoda Barakat crafts a deeply poignant and haunting narrative that explores the fragile dynamics between a mother and her two daughters—Hind and Hanadi—both renowned for their extraordinary beauty, which, for the mother, is a source of pride, anchoring her sense of identity.
The narrative takes a tragic turn when Hind, the more stunning of the two, dies unexpectedly. Devastated by the loss, the mother becomes mentally ill, seeing Hanadi—who bears a striking resemblance to her late sister—as either Hind reborn or as a vessel for her reincarnation.
Hanadi then develops acromegaly, a condition that grotesquely alters her physical appearance, transforming her into a figure unrecognisable from her former beauty. Unable to reconcile this, the mother descends into madness and despair, confining Hanadi to the attic.
Hanadi eventually escapes, first to France, then to her homeland of Lebanon, embarking on a journey marked by profound hardship. In France, she endures an intensely harrowing ordeal that tests her to her limits. The novel offers a haunting reflection on loss, identity, and resilience.
