Escapism in Times of War—on Genre Fiction
In which our literary editor becomes your guide through TMR 47, a double issue packed with fiction and the last monthly issue of 2024.
TMR 47 • GENRE FICTION
“Not a Picture, a Precise Kick”—metafiction
A writer from Cairo imagines a chance encounter between two writers in Prague enamored of Kafka.
Palestine Features in Larissa Sansour’s Sci-Fi Future
Larissa Sansour is a Palestinian-born artist whose photography, film, sculpture, and installation art is bound up with visions of the future.
“The Head of the Table”—a story by Natasha Tynes
A celebration quickly spirals into a lifetime of trauma when an unforeseen 'head' makes a shocking appearance.
“The Curse of the Chinar Tree”—a family horror story
For one family, faith is overshadowed by the bitter taste of suffering rather than the peace it is meant to provide.
“Eve”—fantasy from Afghanistan
When Eve leaves Adam in Purgatory to settle their score once and for all, she's devastated by what she encounters on Earth.
“The Small Clay Plate”—a Siwa folk tale
A tale of a tailor from the deserts of Siwa, Egypt, where fortune reveals the invaluable lesson of recognizing what is truly precious.
“Orient Tavern” & “The Hungarian Hut”—fantasy by Azher Jirjees
“Orient Tavern” and “The Hungarian Hut,” from Azher Jirjees’ collection, explore post-2003 Iraqi struggles.
“Ghosts of Farsis”—a cyberpunk story
The story is part of Hussein Fawzy's cyberpunk story collection “Graduation Project” recently published by Waziz House.
The Conqueror of Time—Egyptian Cryogenics
Nihad Sherif's 1972 novel is a pioneering Arabic sci-fi work on human cryopreservation, with prose reminiscent of Mahfouz and Taha Hussein.
Salacious Criminality—Trenchcoat Detectives, Rogues & Smoking Guns
The Arabic crime novel can't compete with more popular genres including satire, horror, or historical fiction, but that hasn't always been the case.
The Time-Travels of the Man who Sold Pickles and Sweets—an Excerpt
Ibn Shalaby, like many Egyptians, is looking for a job. Yet, unlike most of his fellow citizens, he is prone to sudden dislocations in time.
Traveling Crafts: The Moon and Science Fiction in Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art
Science fiction and dystopias figure prominently in Arab literature going back more than 100 years, writes Elizabeth Rauh.
“The Spirit of Mutiny”—speculative fiction
An excerpt from a novel of speculative fiction envisioned a post-imperialist future, with Gaza as a key symbol of resistance against Empire.
Susan Abulhawa at Oxford Union on Palestine/Israel
Susan Abulhawa gave a speech at Oxford Union as a resolution passed determining "Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide."
A Galaxy Run in 30 Minutes or Less
May Haddad delivers an exciting prequel featuring celestial courier Carna, who travels through time and space in 30 minutes or less.
Barrack Zailaa Rima’s Beirut Resists Categorization
Rima offers readers an understanding of Beirut as both a single city and a city multiplied, a geographic point always undergoing change.
“Envy”—a story by Huda Hamed
The ambivalence that leads to the break up of a decade-long marriage must first face a mother's wrathful disappointment.
“As Much of Life as the World Can Show”—a short story
A chance encounter, a flurry of SMS messages, and a week-long trip to London, make a long distance romance lasting and real.