Daily Bookshot: 39 Ways to Embrace Arab Literature

39 Ways to Embrace Arab Literature, originally uploaded by Robert Burdock.

Every once in a while an anthology comes along which sends my excitement into overdrive. And the featured subject for today’s Daily Bookshot is one such anthology.

Initially brought to my attention by fellow blogger Stu Allen, Beirut39 (Bloomsbury Publishing) is something a bit special. Published simultaneously in both English and Arabic, and in conjunction with the Hay Festival, Beirut39 showcases the talents of 39 writers (all under the age of 40) from around the Arab world and the Arab Diaspora.

Selected by a judging panel from an initial pool of 480 writers, the appointed 39 worked with editor Samuel Shimo to select the pieces from each writer which would be included in the finished anthology. I’ll turn over to the publisher’s blurb to give you more of a flavour of what’s included:

Beirut39 presents the best young Arab writers from around the world. Ranging from Saudi Arabia to Morocco, from France to Syria and from Lebanon to Holland and the USA, and taking in pottery, short stories and extracts from novels, the collection showcases the vibrancy and diversity of writing across the Arab world today.

Short and sweet I know, but even so it all still sounds remarkably exciting. It’s not often that one is offered such an accessible window on the literary writings of the Arab world, and when one does one should grab it with both hands and dive right in. I know from experience that the literature of the Arab world is incredibly rich – both culturally and spiritually – yet it is very often overlooked by those outside the Arab world. So my hope is that Beirut39 – which has full backing from Arts Council England, English PEN, International PEN and the British Council – will become the success that I’m sure it deserves.

Of course, I’m getting a little ahead of myself here because I’m kind of recommending something which I haven’t really read myself yet. But rest assured, as I start to work my way through it, a more fully informed opinion on Beirut39 will begin to emerge on RobAroundBooks. Additionally, with a myriad of author events being organised around this cultural initiative – at festivals such as Hay, London and Edinburgh – I’ll hopefully be able to post a few additional articles on Beirut39.

English Edition

Bloomsbury Publishing | April 2010 | £12.99 | PAPERBACK | 320 PP | ISBN: 9781408806128

Arabic Edition

Bloomsbury Publishing | April 2010 | £12.99 | PAPERBACK | 304 PP | ISBN: 9781408810514