“Keeping Up”—fiction from Mohamed Farag
The more things change, the more they become strange, or so finds the confused narrator of this Kafkaesque adventure in a developing country.
Fiction
“Certainty”—a short story by Nora Nagi
In this latest story by Nora Nagi, an Egyptian woman trapped in a loveless marriage far from home finds freedom.
“The Doll with the Purple Scarf”—flash fiction from Diaa Jubaili
Iraqi novelist Diaa Jubaili's short story, translated by Chip Rossetti, portrays dolls as unlikely victims of life under the Islamic State.
“We Danced”—a story by MK Harb
In exercises to “release your inner child,” meditation, or psychotherapy, Beirutis search for mental and physical relief, in MK Harb's latest short story.
“Madame Djouzi”—a story by Salah Badis
Salah Badis' short story follows an elderly Algerian woman contemplating the end of her life amidst the threat of earthquakes or having to sell her cherished furniture.
“Frida Kahlo’s Mustache”—flash fiction from Abdullah Nasser
In this flash fiction by Abdullah Nasser, a couple struggling to conceive undergoes a transformation that changes everything.
“Deferred Sorrow”—fiction from Haidar Al Ghazali
In Haidar Al Ghazali's short story, a Palestinian father during the war on Gaza makes an impossible choice.
“Besara”—an excerpt from Things Are Not in Their Place
An excerpt from Omani writer Huda Hamed’s bittersweet coming-of-age novel about race and self in a new English translation by Zia Ahmed.
“Cotton Flower”—a short story by Areej Gamal
Areej Gamal's translated short story from Egypt depicts a potted plant and forbidden love that become intertwined, with an unexpected outcome
“The Forgotten”—a short story by Oğuz Atay
Regarded internationally as one of Turkey’s greatest writers, Oğuz Atay (1934-1977) remains largely untranslated into English.
“I, Mariam”—a story by Joumana Haddad
Joumana Haddad's short story delves into a woman's lifelong journey of navigating her relationship with the hijab.
“Paris of the Middle East”—fiction by MK Harb
With tarot cards and a recipe for pickled turnips, Beirutis bid farewell to yet another friend leaving on a “talent passport” to somewhere else.
“The Minisecures”—excerpt from The History of the Gods of Egypt
Bonfire of the vanities: A second-rate artist imagines the prophets and the grand, holy tales of monotheism.
“The Map of a Genocide Victim”—fiction from Faris Lounis
A few entries on a genocidal map...A walk in the Valley of Death that is the war on Gaza and the reckoning to come.
“Drinking Tea at Lahore Chai Masters”—a story by Farah Ahamed
When Mehreen and Asma compare notes, they realize they are still not unfettered lovers.