The Scandal of Ronit Baranga’s “All Things Sweet and Painful”
Philosophy professor David Capps discusses our perception of Israeli sculptress Ronit Baranga's controversial art.
Latest Reviews
Libyan, Palestinian and Syrian Family Dinners in London
London-based journalist Layla Maghribi recalls her family dinners in Libyan, Palestinian and Syrian culinary traditions.
The Angels of Desire
Youssef Rakha meditates on dreams and desire, and why he might just be ready to die for a stranger.
Chewing Viagra Gum, the Audio Version!
Malu Halasa performs Mai Ghoussoub's groundbreaking essay, "Chewing Viagra Gum."
Carlo in Belgrade (in which a father loves a son)
A father's love for one of his sons is almost ineffable, in Hanif Kureishi's journal intime and travel account in Covid times.
Desire and the Palestinian Kitchen
A take on desire from a masterful cook and Bethlehem chef, Fadi Kattan.
Your Wish is My Command: A Concierge’s Story
A young Arab American concierge working at the iconic Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills recalls what it was like to be on duty.
“Gluttony” from Abbas Beydoun’s “Frankenstein’s Mirrors”
Lebanese poet-novelist Abbas Baydoun reflects in an autobiographical mode on the melancholy of language and existence, while contemplating sweets.
Hand-Written Love Letters and Words of the Great Arab Poets
Artist Reem Mouasher shares her recent series of paintings, inspired by the era of hand-written love letters, borrowing words of great Arab poets; Gibran, Qabbani, Al-Mutanabbi and Mahmoud Darwish.
Fiction: “Skin Calluses” by Khalil Younes
Syrian artist and writer Khalil Younes recalls the strained sexuality of Martyrs Square in Damascus.
No Sex Please, We’re Syrian: on Syrian Sexual Humor During War
A frank look at the changing social attitudes toward sexuality in war-torn Syria.
Three Love Poems by Rumi, Translated by Haleh Liza Gafori
Iranian American poet and translator Haleh Liza Gafori presents a new volume of Rumi translations in "GOLD" published by NYRB Classics.
On “True Love Leaves No Traces”
From Leonard Cohen to Apollo and Daphne to French philosopher Jean-Lun Nancy, Arie Akkermans-Amaya looks at the influences of an Istanbul exhibition.
The Art of Remembrance in Abacus of Loss
Sherine Elbanhawy lives in the pages of a memoir in verse and finds herself reluctant to leave, identifying with how its author unpacks the complexities of exile, home, family and love.
Fiction: “A Day in the Life of a Married Man”
A tale of conjugal love from the first complete story collection in English by Moroccan writer and cult feminist Malika Moustadraf, translated by Alice Guthrie.