Al Majalla's Book Watch
Al Majalla's Book Watch newspress_en Thu, 09/03/2026 - 04:53 Culture & Social Affairs The Arab world has a vibrant and rich literary scene. In this fortnightly feature, Al Majalla picks out some choice titles in our round-up of the latest Arabic books. The Benefactor: Muhammad Ali Pasha and His World By: Khaled Fahmy Translated and edited by: Mahammad Hoogla-Kalfat Publisher: Dar El Shorouk,…
Al Majalla's Book Watch features two new Arabic book releases. The first, "The Benefactor: Muhammad Ali Pasha and His World" by Khaled Fahmy, reassesses the controversial figure of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the former Governor of Egypt for the Ottoman Empire. Fahmy aims to recognize Ali's achievements without glorifying him uncritically, tracing his life from his arrival in Egypt to his death, during which he established a dynasty that lasted almost a century.
The book delves into Ali's rise to power, his political, military, and administrative projects, as well as his relationship with the Ottoman state and European powers. In contrast, "Just Short of Survival" is a short-story collection by Syrian writer Zeina Hamwi. The 17 stories explore the theme of survival amidst war, loss, and exile, delving into the lasting effects of conflict on people and society beyond the cessation of fighting.
The stories highlight those who have left their homes for migration or exile but still face the lingering impact of war in their memories, relationships, and future perceptions.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
