Hamid Oqabi’s “Julia and Sheikh Al-Tihami” by Hatem Al-Shamea Hamid Oqabi’s “Julia and Sheikh Al-Tihami” is a remarkable literary exploration of societal disintegration, moral ambiguities, and the interplay of power and culture in a contemporary Middle Eastern context. This novel unfolds against a backdrop of Yemen’s rich yet deeply fractured sociopolitical landscape, navigating a …
A Journey Through Exile, Memory, and Identity by Hatem Al-Shamea Hamid Oqabi’s “Eurydice on the Night of Razm” (يوريديس في ليلة الرازِم) stands as a literary tour de force, a poignant meditation on the complexities of displacement, memory, and identity. This novella delves into the layered psyche of diasporic existence, interweaving personal …
Review of Najeeb Abdulrazzaq Al-Turki’s Winter Sun Hatem Al-Shamea Introduction “شمس الشتاء” (Winter Sun) by Najeeb Abdulrazzaq Al-Turki is a Yemeni novel that delves into the complexities of human emotions, societal norms, and existential themes. The narrative, filled with symbolic language and philosophical undertones, reflects on the nature of life, love, and loss through …
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A Critical Review on the short story “Memory” of Entesar Asseri Entesar Asseri is widely considered one of Yemen’s most prominent contemporary female writers. In her short story “Memory”, Asseri uses Surrealist techniques to challenge normative gender roles and critique patriarchal power dynamics in Yemeni society. Through the unnamed male protagonist’s loss of memory and …
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Exploring the Complexities of Power, Identity, and Conflict in Al-Gharbi Emran’s “Hisn al-Zaidi” by Hatem Al-Shamea Introduction “Hisn al-Zaidi,” a captivating novel by the renowned Yemeni novelist, Al-Gharbi Emran, delves into the intricate dynamics of power, identity, and conflict within the context of a fortress community. Set against the backdrop of the rural …
“A Cup of Coffee on the Edge of Chaos” is a collection of short stories by renowned Yemeni writer Entesar Asseri that delves deeply into human emotions and experiences. Through a variety of short narratives, Asseri explores profound perspectives on life, love, and the complexities of the human psyche. Each story draws readers in with …
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The Quarantine Philosopher Wajdi Al-Ahdal trans. by Hatem Al-Shamea Chapter One “The Great Certainties: The Origin of Every Deception” “In the Zima cemetery, the events of this novel unfold. I won’t delve into the stories of buried humans; instead, I’ll content myself with recounting an entertaining tale about a world unknown to you. I will …
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I Named Her Fatima By Mayasa Al-Nakhlani 0 Things are often not as they appear; what our eyes see is merely the outer shell concealing another world underneath. Many times, this inner world has no connection to the apparent reality, as if the shell that formed and solidified has been influenced by the elements of …
I Named Her, Fatima – a novel written by Mayasa Al-Nakhlani – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
An excerpt [Two Chapters] from Al-Gharbi Emran’s Yael’s Darkness Chapter One Sana’a The 14th century Hijri The Manuscript of Joudar It was ten o’clock in the morning. Groups of dock workers, vendors lying on the street, and the loudspeaker of a waste-truck echoed loudly. Unemployed people occupied the corners of cafes, while beggars roamed about. …
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Introduction: “Black Sack” is a thought-provoking short story written by Yemeni author Ali Abdullah Al-Ajri. The narrative explores themes of power, manipulation, and the consequences of blind obedience. Through its vivid imagery and symbolic elements, the story invites readers to reflect on the dangers of relinquishing personal agency and the potential dehumanization that can arise …
The Struggle for Identity and Resistance in Mahmoud Darwish’s “O Passersby among Transient Words” by Hatem Al-Shamea Introduction: Mahmoud Darwish’s poem “O Passersby among Transient Words” is a powerful and poignant piece that captures the essence of Palestinian identity, resistance, and the longing for freedom. In this short analysis, we will delve into the profound …
The Enamoured Demon-Possessed a novel by Ahmed Abdu Translated By Hatem Al-Shamea Excerption from the novel Prelude We believed in God and that dinosaurs could go extinct, and indeed it happened. However, they left behind herds of cats. These were the words of Ibn Hathoot, uttered when he emerged from seclusion one day, venturing …
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Chapter One It was the season when Mokhtar’s father had deemed him ready for marriage, and Mokhtar assumed the guise of a demure maiden, cloaking himself in an aura of modesty. He was well aware that this façade of shyness was not born out of genuine timidity, but rather an escape from a predetermined fate …
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The Rural Life in Wisam Al-Absi’s Portrayal of Plowing Wisam Al-Absi’s painting depicting a man plowing a field with an ox is a captivating representation of the timeless and arduous act of manual labor. This evocative artwork transports viewers to a simpler time, invoking a sense of nostalgia and connection to the Earth. In this …
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Introduction Eman Al-Maziji is a contemporary Yemeni writer and author of a collection of flash fiction entitled, “ Burnings 6×4“, she demonstrates nuanced storytelling within a minimalist form. Through symbolic motifs and psychological depth, Al-Maziji conveys profound insights into the human condition within a brief span. This analysis will examine prominent themes across six representative …
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By Hatem Al-Shamea Assistant Professor of English Literature University of Reading, UK. ——————————————————————– Introduction In his expansive 2009 work The Paradox of Photography, philosopher and aesthetics scholar Pierre Taminiaux explores the multilayered and seemingly contradictory nature of photography as a medium. Weaving together philosophical inquiry with close visual analyses, Taminiaux’s study delves into the ontological, …
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