Women and Literary Madness
Shahd Alshammari, a scholar of illness and disability, has written an extended study of literary madness.
All Articles
War and Trauma in Yemen: Asim Abdulaziz’s “1941”
Farah Abdessamad considers generations of survivors in Yemen's first experimental film.
Lebanon in a Loop: A Retrospective of “Waves ’98”
Youssef Manessa reviews a short film from Ely Dagher that speaks to his generation of Lebanese born in the '90s.
Between Illness and Exile in “Head Above Water”
Tugrul Mende reviews Shadh Alshammari's brave account of fighting MS and abelism.
“Disappearance/Muteness”—Tales from a Life in Translation
A writer born into both Arabic and Hebrew linguistic traditions finds herself writing in English but longing for Arabic.
Abd el Kader at the Mucem: a colonial vision of the Emir
Pierre Daum opines that despite a French museum's best effort, an exhibit on Algeria and France can't escape its colonial bias.
Alaa Abd El-Fattah—the Revolutionary el-Sissi Fears Most?
Fouad Mami on hunger striker Alaa Abd El-Fattah's new book, "You Have Not Yet Been Defeated."
Poems of Palestinian Motherhood, Loss, Desire and Hope
Eman Quotah reviews the new poetry collection from Palestinian poet Maya Abu-Alhayyat, translated by Fady Joudah.
“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.
Leaving One’s Country in Mai Al-Nakib’s “An Unlasting Home”
Rana Asfour reviews Mai Al-Nakib's debut novel, in which the protagonist always thought she would leave her country.
Why I left Lebanon and Became a Transitional Citizen
More Lebanese live abroad than at home, and the exodus continues. Some have the option to leave, others cannot.
Traps and Shadows in Noor Naga’s Egypt Novel
Ahmed Naji reviews "If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English" just out from Graywolf.
Roxana Vilk’s Personal History of Iranian Music
In this month's music column, Melissa Chemam talks to a British national with an Iranian heart and musical heritage.
A Poet and Librarian Catalogs Life in Gaza
Eman Quotah reviews "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza" — the debut poetry collection of Mosab Abu Toha.
World Refugee Day — What We Owe Each Other
World Refugee Day is the first of seven days during which refugees will be recognized in events across the world.