Book Reviews

The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa—a Review

The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa—a Review

A tale set in the near-future exploring the world of banned books, repressed imaginations, dreams, and desires.

4 JULY 2025 • By Rana Asfour
In Nasser Rabah’s Poetry, تقول القصيدة كلمتها

In Nasser Rabah’s Poetry, تقول القصيدة كلمتها

Nasser Rabah and other poets of Gaza are still writing — still sending their poems to us, because...

4 JULY 2025 • By Eman Quotah
The Evin Prison Bakers’ Club — Review

The Evin Prison Bakers’ Club — Review

Sepideh Gholian's book demonstrates that freedom, even in confinement, is a state of mind, where choosing life is...

6 JUNE 2025 • By Hannah Kaviani
Interview: Joe Sacco on Gaza

Interview: Joe Sacco on Gaza

Joe Sacco uses his graphic storytelling in "War on Gaza" to reflect on the events in the Gaza...

6 JUNE 2025 • By Elias Feroz
An Intimate History of Violence: Beirut Under Siege in Nejmeh Khalil Habib’s A Spring that Did Not Blossom 

An Intimate History of Violence: Beirut Under Siege in Nejmeh Khalil Habib’s A Spring that Did Not Blossom 

Nejmeh Khalil Habib's latest teaches us that while there are and will always be survivors of horrors, the...

30 MAY 2025 • By Rebecca Ruth Gould
The End of Civilization as We Know It—a Catastrophology

The End of Civilization as We Know It—a Catastrophology

A review of how some of history’s greatest civilizations' collapse presents ominous parallels with our present predicament.

23 MAY 2025 • By Iason Athanasiadis
A World in Crisis: Deep Vellum’s Best Literary Translations 2025

A World in Crisis: Deep Vellum’s Best Literary Translations 2025

This anthology, while celebrating last year's best literary translations, aims to highlight writing from and about a world...

9 MAY 2025 • By Lara Vergnaud
Djinns Unveils Silence in the Home

Djinns Unveils Silence in the Home

Djinns emerge in a fractured home in Istanbul, reflecting the intercultural and intergenerational tensions in Fatma Aydemir’s family...

9 MAY 2025 • By Elena Pare
Hassan Blasim’s Sololand features Three Novellas on Iraq

Hassan Blasim’s Sololand features Three Novellas on Iraq

Hassan Blasim’s work is not imitation. His is a voice forged in exile, and steeped in the paradoxes...

25 APRIL 2025 • By Hassan Abdulrazzak
An Immigrant in America: The Palace of Forty Pillars

An Immigrant in America: The Palace of Forty Pillars

A story of a self-estranged gay adolescent navigating his identity as an Armenian in Iran and later as...

18 APRIL 2025 • By Sean Casey
Read These Books by Arab American Authors

Read These Books by Arab American Authors

An inspiring collection of remarkable titles to mark Arab American Heritage Month in the US, showcasing vibrant culture...

4 APRIL 2025 • By Rana Asfour
Frankenstein in Baghdad: A Novel for Our Present Dystopia

Frankenstein in Baghdad: A Novel for Our Present Dystopia

An NYU professor who has frequently taught this Iraqi novel finds that two months into Trump 2.0, its...

21 MARCH 2025 • By Deborah Williams
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