Crime and fantasy in running for translated book prize

Acrime novel in Lebanon, historical fiction in 18th-century Egypt and a time-travelling fantasy are on the shortlist for this year’s Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation.

Translated from Arabic into English, the six books are by authors from across the region and translators from around the world. Here are the ones selected.

The Turban and the Hat is written by Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim and translated by Bruce Fudge. It follows the story of three tumultuous years from the perspective of a young Egyptian living in 18th-century Cairo as Napolean launches his invasion.

Firefly by Lebanese writer Jabbour Douaihy – translated by Paula Haydar and Nadine Sinno – follows Nizam, a Muslim man raised by a Christian couple. It follows his journey from the countryside to Beirut, where he surrounds himself with characters who represent varying cultural, religious and political complexities as the country falls into unrest.

The King of India, also by Douaihy and translated by Haydar, is a murder mystery set against a backdrop of sectarian animosity and family feuds, covering three continents and more than a century of history.

What Have You Left Behind?, written by Bushra al-Maqtari and translated by Sawad Hussain, chronicles personal testimonies of the victims of the Yemen Civil War. Collected since 2015, they share stories of Yemenis who have lost their homes and loved ones.

Mister N, written by Najwa Barakat, and translated by Luke Leafgren, is a tragicomedy that focuses on a writer’s attempts to untangle fact from fiction in his life, mirroring the damaged city outside his hotel room.

Thunderbird, Books One & Two, written by Sonia Nimr and translated by M Lynx Qualey, is a time-travelling fantasy that follows the story of an orphaned girl named Noor. She is transported back 500 years, when fighting rages between the Mamluk and Ottoman empires.

Now in its 18th year, the prize received 20 entries from 11 publishers, comprising works of literature including novels, poetry and nonfiction.

The judging panel this year is made up of four translators and experts from the literary world. They include Ros Schwartz, a French translator who has worked on more than 100 titles; Tony Calderbank, former British Council director in South Sudan, Bahrain and Libya; Sarah Enany, the prize’s 2021 winner; and Barbara Schwepke, the founder of London’s Haus Publishing. The winner will be announced on January 8 and the translator will receive £3,000 ($815).