“Ride On, Shooting Star”—fiction from May Haddad
In May Haddad's short story, Carna’ is a spacefaring mail carrier fed up with working for the Universal Courier Service who journeys to the edge of the universe.
Fiction
“Malika,” an excerpt from Abdellah Taïa’s Vivre à ta lumìere
In this excerpt from a chapter in his latest novel in French, Abdellah Taïa pays homage to his mother, his favorite heroine.
“What Are You Doing in Berlin?”—a short story by Ahmed Awny
Egyptian writer Ahmed Awny divigates between fiction and reality in this decentering short story.
“Another German”—a short story by Ahmed Awadalla
An Egyptian refugee in Berlin, longing for a home of his own, hopes love is around the corner.
“Fatima and The Handsome Jew”—Ali Al-Muqri
In "The Handsome Jew" the novelist from Yemen recounts a powerful yet tragic tale of forbidden love.
Libyan Stories from the novel “Bread on Uncle Milad’s Table”
The Markaz Review presents Libya's Mohammed al-Naas in these exclusive excerpts translated by Rana Asfour.
Mohammed al-Naas—a Young Libyan Novelist to Watch
Ghazi Gheblawi In 2017 Darf Publishers, an independent publishing company based in London, where I am a senior editor, published an anthology of young writers from Libya under the… Continue reading Mohammed al-Naas—a Young Libyan Novelist to Watch
Big Laleh, Little Laleh—memoir by Shokouh Moghimi
Who knows what drives anyone mad? For a sister who loves her big sister and emulates her, the mystery will perhaps never be resolved.
“The Devil’s Waiting List”—a story by Ahmed Salah Al-Mahdi
A solitary bachelor, seeking success as a writer, wonders what he has to do in contemporary Cairo to get ahead.
Where to Now, Ya Asfoura?—a story by Sarah AlKahly-Mills
You can run from grief and death until you lose your mind, but life is reserved for those who fight for it.
“The Peacock” — a story by Sahar Mustafah
A Palestinian woman battles both the patriarchy and the occupation to free herself from the toxic jurisdiction men have claimed over her.
“Asha and Haaji”—a story by Hanif Kureishi
The author of the story collection "Love in a Blue Time" weaves a dystopian tale of migrants, love and literature.
Mai Al-Nakib: “Naaseha’s Counsel”
The author of the novel "An Unlasting Home" recalls stories of African slaves in Iraq and Kuwait.
“Godshow.com”—a short story by Ahmed Naji
The Egyptian novelist and author of "Rotten Evidence: Reading and Writing in Prison" finds versions of Islam in the Nevada desert.
Joumana Haddad: “Victim #232”
A preview of the new Arabic novel from the author of "I Killed Scheherazade" and "Superman is an Arab."