Middle East/North African Lit discussion

For our Sudan stop, I read Cities Without Palms: A Modern Arabic Novel by Tarek Eltayeb. The story follows Hamza as he leaves his destitute village and travels to the city in search of work so that he can support his mother and sisters. He eventually travels to Cairo and then on to Europe before returning home.

It was a quick and easy read. I found the descriptions of the few differences between Sudanese and Egyptian interesting and enlightening - the bread, the bargaining. The story moves so quickly though, through some of the stops along his journey, that details and descriptions are often limited. I would have appreciated more length and depth, to really get a sense of the places, especially those in Sudan.

A few interviews with the author that I found online:
Tarek Eltayeb – Cities without Palms And Other Writings 1/2

Cities without Palms and Other Writings by Tarek Eltayeb - 2/2

An Interview with the Sudanese Author Tarek Eltayeb

Thanks for sharing :)
I loved this message : " wanted to give a voice to all those who are born in this part of the world, forced to leave their countries, simply to try to survive, or support their families in their fight for survival.

I wanted to describe the reality- for the other part of the world to understand."

also this : "I always say that am living in two worlds - not between two worlds ...But at end, it is all - one big world."

BTW , did you read Season of Migration to the North , I felt it in the shadow of Tarek Eltayeb's thoughts even if I could not locate him expressing it directly .

Nile daughter wrote: also this : "I always say that am living in two worlds - not between two worlds"

Yes, I liked this sentiment, too! And, no, I wasn't able to get hold of a copy of Season of Migration. It's still on my to-read list...along with so many others ;-)