Reviewed by Jessica Proett

A glistening iron gate, a gleaming bronze body, radiant white light, a marble staircase and red carpets are some of the images that immediately draw the reader into the short story "At the Theatre" by Idwar al-Kharrat, where the first sentence is "Masks are the temptations of truth." And the smell of perfume weighs heavily on the page in Layla al-Uthman's "Night of Torment" as it tells the story of two women's struggles to be desired by their husbands. Or the significant change wrought on a group of students by the presence of a girl entering an all-male classroom in Ibrahin al-Faqih's "The Book of the Dead". An array of contradicting behaviors arises from this feminine catalyst, and a once apathetic classroom is transformed into a place of avid participation as a teacher is forced to reconcile his conflicting emotions concerning the taboo.
Modern Arabic Short Stories: your purchase in part benefits Levantine Cultural CenterIn a compilation of twelve short stories from Saqi Books, editors Ronak Husni and Daniel L. Newman bring us a bilingual collection of never-before-translated Middle Eastern short stories, by writers including Nobel Prize laureate Naguib Mahfouz, as well as esteemed writers Idwar al-Kharrat and Fuad al-Takarli. The dozen selected stories take us from Iraq and the Gulf to Morocco and include both male and female writers who are introduced with biographical details.

The layout of Modern Arabic Short Stories has the Arabic original and English translation appear on facing pages, making it an ideal book for both language teachers and students. In the introduction, language is clearly presented as the key focus, with all three pages describing the translation decisions, difficulties of the competing varieties of Arabic, and the importance of maintaining certain vernacular constructions. Each story is followed by language notes that are added in order to clarify translation questions and provide cultural insight. While necessary for language students, these notes are also ideal for literature aficionados, as they hint at potential translation problems and allow for different angles of interpretation provided by both the Arabic and English.

The philosopher Saussure said that language molds our thoughts, and whether true or not, our point of view is certainly limited by language. Even if the reader doesn't know any Arabic, seeing the language notes that follow each story allows for a comprehensive reading of what the author originally intended when writing in their native language. In a review that appeared in the Saudi Gazette, Susannah Tarbush notes, "Modern Arabic Short Stories is a rewarding collection that takes the reader on a journey through the Arab world, illuminating its difficulties as well as the vivacity and resilience of its people. The stories should appeal to students of Arabic at schools and universities, and to readers who are interested in modern Arabic literature but who lack the language skills to read stories in the original Arabic."

Aside from language concerns, the brevity of each excerpt in Modern Arabic Short Stories allows for a tantalizing snippet of different aspects of Middle Eastern culture, as well as an introduction to diverse authors and writing styles. As a literature buff who knows very little Arabic, based purely on the ripe English translation, I was carried through on a wave of polemically compelling themes and vibrant characters that ranged from school teachers, first-loves, spice sellers, prostitutes and migrant workers to conjoined twins and lonely women who fall for charlatan sheikhs from the infamously magical Morocco.

Common threads that provide subtle yet stirring commentary of Arabic culture include the contradicting pull of both tradition and progressive change that results in alienation, the unbreakable bond of friendship between women who are often portrayed as the "marginalized and deprived in society" according to Tarbush, as well as the universal themes of the power of imagination and creativity, love, death, loneliness, and of course religion which is pervasive throughout the compilation. Religion is brought up with a questioning tone in al-Kharrat's "At the Theatre" when he says, "God gives unto those who are calm, righteous and sound asleep, unaware of what is going on." Indeed, many of the inner conflicts of the characters refer to the constant fight between good and evil, and Mahfouz goes as far as to ask the question in "Qismati and Nasibi", "Always...God...God...Where is He, this God?"

The stories are arranged from simplest to most difficult in terms of Arabic comprehension, and are targeted for intermediate learners. However, according to even advanced students, the language is undeniably difficult. Many will still find the vocabulary a challenging new addition to their repertoire.

Despite the obvious appeal to students, the intriguing plots and solid use of language make this eclectic Middle Eastern compilation an enjoyable experience. Crisply eloquent English translations allow the stories to stand on their own as poignant literature, while also being a useful tool for those studying Arabic. Additionally, the concise nature of short stories makes this a perfect book to draw food for thought, whether you have all afternoon or merely twenty minutes. The anthology is erudite yet delightful. A worthy compilation.

See Jessica Proett's article on La Mezquita, "Mosque or Cathedral"  in the May issue of LR.