Translation
All topics-
Fariba Vafi's "Die Reise im Zug"
Portrait of a mother
Iranian author Fariba Vafi is adept at describing everyday scenes and concealing within them something ambiguous, in parts strange and grotesque. She writes novels – which have been translated into many languages and received numerous prizes (most recently the LiBeraturpreis Litprom for Tarlan) – and short stories. Vafi's skill for subtle understatement shines in her 'Train Ride'. Volker Kaminski read the book
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The Global Qur'an
Searching the suras
Research project "The Global Qur'an", brainchild of Professor of Islamic Studies Johanna Pink and sponsored by the European Research Council, analyses the history and dissemination of Koran translations while examining the role of nation-states and missionary movements. By Arnfried Schenk
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"The Book of Charlatans"
Mediaeval Syria's answer to Mark Twain
In this new bilingual edition, translated by Humphrey Davies, al-Jawbari, one of the thirteenth century's leading experts in skullduggery reveals all there is to know about the wiles of false prophets, quacks, prestidigitators, cat burglars, money changers, false alchemists, and – worst of all – women. By Marcia Lynx Qualey
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Persian poetry in the 21st century
The poem in contemporary Iran
We’re familiar with Hafez, Forough Farrokzhad and Nima Yusij, but 21st century Persian poetry, the poetry of Iran written since the Islamic Revolution, is rarely accessible in German. Publishers Ali Abdollahi and Kurt Scharf are now seeking to change that with a comprehensive anthology. Gerrit Wustmann read the book for Qantara.de
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Maryam Djahani's debut novel "Ungebremst durch Kermanschah"
Tearing through Kermanshah
In her debut novel "Ungebremst durch Kermanschah", Maryam Djahani draws readers into the life of a young woman desperate to assert herself against Iranian provincialism and her family. Gerrit Wustmann read the book for Qantara.de
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ArabLit & ArabLit Quarterly
Arabic literature in German translation
The ArabLit brand, brainchild of writer and reviewer Marcia Lynx Qualey, is a treasure trove for those interested in literature from the Arab world. The journal generally showcases literary works translated from Arabic into English, but for Qantara.de the question remains: what Arab and Arabic literature has been translated into German?
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Dialogue of cultures
Banipal Translation Prize 2021: Shortlist of 5
Organisers of the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation have announced this year’s shortlist. Three translators have made the shortlist for the first time in 2021: Sarah Enany (for Rasha Adly’s 'The Girl with the Braided Hair'), Sawad Hussain (for Shahla Ujayli’s 'A Bed for the King’s Daughter'), and Elisabeth Jaquette (for Dima Wannous’ 'The Frightened Ones').
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Book review: Hassan Blasim's "God 99"
A different sort of sacred
Reading Hassan Blasim's God 99 is an immersive experience of grief and exaltation, anger and disgust, writes Marcia Lynx Qualey. We join the Iraqi narrator as he sits around in seedy Finnish bars and plays slot machines; as he meets refugees and listens to their stories; as he exchanges letters with a dying friend; and as he crosses a kaleidoscopic series of borders
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Interview with Jordanian novelist Jalal Barjas
"Some Arab writers present distorted images of their societies"
Jordanian writer Jalal Barjas' novel "Notebooks of the Bookseller", which won this year's Booker International Prize for Arabic Fiction, was celebrated at a symposium during the Berlin International Literature Festival in September. A large number of Germans and Arabs interested in Arabic literature attended. On the sidelines, journalist Rim Najmi caught up with Jalal Barjas
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Abdulrazak Gurnah and Tsitsi Dangarembga
Can the Nobel Prize "revitalise" African literature?
Abdulrazak Gurnah is the fourth author from sub-Saharan Africa to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. Is the tide turning for African writers? By Annabelle Steffes-Halmer
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Karl-Josef Kuschel's "Goethe and the Koran"
Islam for the 21st century? Look no further than Goethe
No other Western poet was arguably so well-versed in the Koran or so fascinated by Islam as Germany's national hero, Goethe. In a new publication that examines all Goethe's writings relating to Islam, theologian Karl-Josef Kuschel shows that the poet's message is still highly relevant today. Stefan Weidner read the book
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Book review: Fatima Daas' "The Last One"
Confessions of a Muslim woman
In her debut novel, Fatima Daas makes use of traditional narrative forms reminiscent of Koranic suras. The piercing, insistent rhythm of her writing style addresses topical issues such as same-sex love, gender and questions concerning her identity as a French woman with Algerian heritage. Volker Kaminski read the book