Arabs and the Art of Storytelling: A Strange Familiarity (Middle East Literature In Translation)

In Arabs and the Art of Storytelling, the eminent Moroccan literary historian and critic Kilito revisits and reassesses, in a modern critical light, many traditional narratives of the Arab world. He brings to such celebrated texts as A Thousand and One Nights, Kalila and Dimna, and Kitab al-Bukhala refreshing and iconoclastic insight, giving new life to classic stories that are often treated as fossilized and untouchable cultural treasures. For Arab scholars and readers, poetry has for centuries taken precedence, overshadowing narrative as a significant literary genre. Here, Kilito demonstrates the key role narrative has played in the development of Arab belles lettres and moral philosophy. His urbane style has earned him a devoted following among specialists and general readers alike, making this translation an invaluable contribution to an English-speaking audience. Foreword by Roger Allen In Arabs And The Art Of Storytelling, The Eminent Moroccan Literary Historian And Critic Kilito Revisits And Reassesses, In A Modern Critical Light, Many Traditional Narratives Of The Arab World. He Brings To Such Celebrated Texts As A Thousand And One Nights, Kalila And Dimna, And Kitab Al-bukhala' Refreshing And Iconoclastic Insight, Giving New Life To Classic Stories That Are Often Treated As Fossilized And Untouchable Cultural Treasures. For Arab Scholars And Readers, Poetry Has For Centuries Taken Precedence, Overshadowing Narrative As A Significant Literary Genre. Here, Kilito Demonstrates The Key Role Narrative Has Played In The Development Of Arab Belles Lettres And Moral Philosophy. His Urbane Style Has Earned Him A Devoted Following Among Specialists And General Readers Alike, Making This Translation Aninvaluable Contribution To An English-speaking Audience. The Prophetic Pattern -- How Should We Read Kalila And Dimna? -- Speaking To The Prince -- This Verdant Paradise -- The Exemplary Intruder: Hayy Ibn Yaqzān -- The Hostile Eye -- Al-muʻtamid's Dahr -- The Singing Of The Jinns -- Portrait Of The Miser As A Hero -- To Lie Once A Year -- Is A Thousand And One Nights A Boring Book? -- The New Dante -- Perec And Al-harīrī -- Twenty-four Hours In The Life Of Averroës. Abdelfattah Kilito ; Translated By Mbarek Sryfi And Eric Sellin ; With A Foreword By Roger Allen. Translated From The French. Includes Bibliographical References.

In Arabs and the Art of Storytelling, the eminent Moroccan literary historian and critic Kilito revisits and reassesses, in a modern critical light, many traditional narratives of the Arab world. He brings to such celebrated texts as A Thousand and One Nights, Kalila and Dimna, and Kitab al-Bukhala’ refreshing and iconoclastic insight, giving new life to classic stories that are often treated as fossilized and untouchable cultural treasures.

For Arab scholars and readers, poetry has for centuries taken precedence, overshadowing narrative as a significant literary genre. Here, Kilito demonstrates the key role narrative has played in the development of Arab belles lettres and moral philosophy. His urbane style has earned him a devoted following among specialists and general readers alike, making this translation an invaluable contribution to an English-speaking audience.

Foreword, Roger Allen ❀ vii Preface ❀ xi Translators’ Note ❀ xv 1. The Prophetic Pattern ❀ 1 2. How Should We Read Kalila and Dimna? ❀ 18 3. Speaking to the Prince ❀ 30 4. This Verdant Paradise ❀ 49 5. The Exemplary Intruder: Hayy ibn Yaqzān ❀ 55 6. The Hostile Eye ❀ 74 7. Al-Mu‘tamid’s Dahr ❀ 84 8. The Singing of the Jinns ❀ 91 9. Portrait of the Miser as a Hero ❀ 96 10. To Lie Once a Year ❀ 112 11. Is A Thousand and One Nights a Boring Book? ❀ 116 12. The New Dante ❀ 126 13. Perec and al-Harīrī ❀ 131 14. Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of Averroës ❀ 140 Works Cited ❀ 147