Books Written by Muhsin Al-Ramli

Muhsin Al-Ramli

https://riyadhrb.com/book-author/muhsin-al-ramli/

Muhsin Al-Ramli, an accomplished Iraqi writer, poet, academic, andtranslator, was born on March 7, 1967, in the village of Sudara in northernIraq. Since 1995. He has been residing in Madrid, Spain, where he madesignificant contributions to the field of literature, both as a writer and atranslator. He is notably recognized for his translation of the iconic Spanishclassic “Don Quixote” into Arabic, demonstrating his profound expertise inlanguages and literature.

Muhsin Al-Ramli’s academic journeymarked by his profound interest in the intersection of cultures. In 2003, hecompleted his Doctorate in Philosophy and Letters and Spanish Philology at theAutonomous University of Madrid, focusing his thesis on the influences ofIslamic culture in “Don Quixote.” This scholarly work showcases his deepengagement with cross-cultural studies and his dedication to exploring theconnections between diverse literary traditions.

As an educator, Al-Ramli impartshis knowledge and passion for literature at the Saint Louis University MadridCampus. He is also a pivotal figure in Arabic literary circles, serving as theeditor of Alwah, a magazine dedicated to Arabic literature and thought, whichhe co-founded. This platform reflects his commitment to promoting Arabicliterature and fostering intellectual discourse.

Al-Ramli’s literary contributionsencompass a wide array of genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, andtheatrical works.

MuhsinAl-Ramli’s Works:

“Gift from the Century to Come” (Short stories, 1995)

“In Search of a Live Heart” (Theater, 1997)

“Papers far from the Tigris” (Short stories, 1998)

“Scattered Crumbs” (Novel, 2000)

“The Happy Nights of the Bombing” (Narrative, 2003)

“We Are All Widowers of the Answers” (Poetry, 2005)

“Dates on My Fingers” (Novel, 2008)

“Asleep among the Soldiers” (Poetry, 2011)

“The Oranges Of Baghdad and Chinese Love” (Short stories, 2011)

“The President’s Gardens” (Novel, 2012), which was longlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF)

“The Wolf of Love and Books” (Novel, 2015)

“Children and Shoes” (Novel, 2018)

“Daughter of the Tigris” (Novel, 2019)

Additionally, he has contributed tothe world of translation, notably with the Portuguese translation of “Laranjase giletes em Bagdá/Naranjas y cuchillas en Bagdad” by Fedra Rodríguez Hinojosa.His diverse body of work reflects a deep engagement with themes of culturalidentity, history, and the human condition, making him a prominent voice incontemporary Arabic literature.

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The President’s Gardens

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“ThePresident’s Gardens”by MuhsinAl-Ramli is a sweeping and profound narrative set in Saddam Hussein’sIraq, encompassing the tumultuous period from the Iran-Iraq War through to theaftermath of the American invasion. This epic tale intricately weaves the livesof three friends, each uniquely impacted by the wars and the oppressive regimethey live under.

Abdullah, one of the central characters, endures two decadesof captivity in Iran. Upon his return, confronted with a shattering revelationabout his origins. Tariq, another protagonist, is the offspring of a localSheikh. He skillfully evades military service, instead ascending the ladder ofpower and influence. While he offers aid to his friends, Tariq’s actions arepredominantly guided by self-interest, revealing the complex interplay ofloyalty and personal ambition in times of conflict.

Ibrahim, the third key figure, suffers a personal loss of adifferent nature. He loses a foot during the first Gulf War and his wife to theravages of cancer. His life takes an unexpected turn when he secures aseemingly humble job in the gardens of one of the president’s palaces. However,this role soon expands in scope and responsibility, leading him down a path hecould never have imagined.

Al-Ramli’s novel is rich with a diverse and vividlyportrayed ensemble of characters. Their interwoven stories echo the narrativestyle and thematic depth found in acclaimed works such as “The Kite Runner,”“The Yellow Birds,” and “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” “The President’sGardens” is not just a story about war and its aftermath; it delves deeply intothemes of oppression, love, marriage, familial bonds, and the human conditionunder a brutal, dictatorial regime.

Spanning over 400 pages, the novel is both an epichistorical account and a philosophical exploration, offering profound insightsinto the complexities of life during a period of extreme turmoil. Al-Ramli’smasterful storytelling captures the essence of human resilience and theenduring spirit in the face of adversity, making “The President’s Gardens” animpactful and enduring work of literature.

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Daughter of the Tigris

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“Daughterof the Tigris” by MuhsinAl-Ramli is a compelling narrative set in the backdrop of a tumultuousperiod in Iraq, following the critically acclaimed novel “The President’sGardens.” The story unfolds during the Ramadan in a war-stricken Iraq, a landdescribed metaphorically as ‘without bananas’, symbolizing a place stripped ofits simplicity and joy. Amidst this chaos, the protagonist, Qisma, embarks on apoignant journey to Baghdad alongside her soon-to-be husband, with a mission tounearth the remains of her father amidst the countless casualties of a brutalwar.

Tariq, Qisma’s fiancé, sees their union as more than just amarriage of convenience. Captivated by Qisma’s beauty and modernity, he yearnsfor a deeper connection, both physical and emotional. However, Tariq, a sheikhrooted in refined tradition, faces the challenge of harmonizing his life withQisma, an embodiment of contemporary Iraqi womanhood.

Set against the backdrop of political turmoil following theoverthrow of the President, Iraq transforms into a battleground forpower-hungry leaders, each vying to claim the vacant throne. Amidst this powerstruggle, Qisma is engulfed by fear – fear for her son’s safety and the loomingthreat of her father’s killers seeking vengeance. Her story is a vividportrayal of the relentless struggle for survival in a country ravaged byconflict.

Qisma’s narrative is not just one of survival but also ofambition. Her aspirations to carve out a piece of Iraq for herself depict thehuman tendency to seek control in times of uncertainty. However, this ambition,likened to a perilous drug, could potentially lead to her undoing. “Daughter ofthe Tigris” is a tale of resilience, fear, and the consequences of ambition setin a nation scarred by war, where survival is a daily battle, and the quest forpower is a double-edged sword.

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Dates on My Fingers

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“Dateson My Fingers,” anovel by MuhsinAl-Ramli, intricately weaves the narrative of Saleem. He is a young manfrom an Iraqi village who embarks on a transformative journey to Spain. Seekingrefuge from the violence and rigid societal norms of his homeland. Saleem’squest for a peaceful life is abruptly interrupted when he unexpectedlyencounters his father, Noah, in a Madrid nightclub. Noah’s presence, markedlydifferent in demeanor and appearance, ignites Saleem’s curiosity. Prompting himto unravel the mysteries surrounding his father’s new life in Spain.

The novel deftly transitions between Saleem’s present inSpain and his past in Iraq. Illuminating his deeply personal experiences offamilial love amidst the backdrop of war. A particularly poignant memory is thehaunting accidental death of his cousin Aliya, with whom Saleem sharedtentative steps towards understanding sexuality. These reflections are not onlypersonal reckonings but also a window into the broader societal challengesfaced in Iraq.

Saleem’s journey is marked by a tumultuous reconnection withhis father. Leading to a violent confrontation that compels him to reassess hisidentity and the delicate balance of his newfound stability. Al-Ramli’snarrative skillfully carries the reader between the contrasting worlds of Spainand Iraq. Culminating in a surprising and thought-provoking resolution.

Critically acclaimed, “Dates on My Fingers” offers a vividportrayal of an Iraq under oppression, transforming recent historical eventsinto universal stories that allow readers to draw their own conclusions andparallels. This fast-paced novel transcends geographical boundaries, delvinginto themes of youthful love, the aftermath of conflict, and the enduringsignificance of family honor.

Muhsin Al-Ramli, an Iraqi-born novelist, poet, translator,and academic, writes in both Arabic and Spanish. Exiled in 1993 due togovernmental persecution, which included the execution of his brother, Al-Ramlihas made Madrid his home. He is a professor at Saint Louis University and hastranslated several Spanish classics into Arabic. His literary works includeplays, poetry, short stories, and novels, with “Dates on My Fingers” beinglonglisted for the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction. TheEnglish translation of this novel by Luke Leafgren, who learned Arabic duringhis PhD studies at Harvard University, is his first foray into translation,bringing Al-Ramli’s rich narrative to a broader audience.

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Scattered Crumbs

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“ScatteredCrumbs,” authored byMuhsin Al-Ramli, is a poignant narrative set amidst the Iran-Iraq war in anIraqi village. The novel critiques life under oppressive rule, exploring theimpact of dictatorship and war on an Iraqi family. Al-Ramli vividly portraysconflicts intensified by political turmoil through this impoverished peasantfamily’s lens.

Central to thestory is a father, an ardent admirer of Saddam Hussein, known as “The Leader.”His fervent support for the dictatorship starkly contrasts with his son’s, anartist. The son’s love for his homeland is palpable, yet he faces a moral andartistic quandary. He cannot bring himself to paint the Leader’s portrait, asdemanded by his father. The ideological clash mirrors broader societalconflicts, symbolizing generational and intellectual rifts exacerbated by theregime.

A Taleof Identity, Exile, and Suffering in 1980s Iraq Amidst Dictatorship andConflict

The narrator, another crucial character, recounts thegradual disintegration of his family. Departing in search of his cousin, hereflects on the scant knowledge defined by his cousin’s absence. This journeysymbolizes a broader search for identity and belonging amidst the chaos of warand dictatorship.

“Scattered Crumbs,” originally published in Arabic in Cairoin 2000, has been masterfully translated to convey the original text’s subtlesarcasm and elliptical rhythms. Translator Yasir Suleiman brings to the forethe novel’s nuanced exploration of the deterioration of both the country andits people, who are swept into the maelstrom of political and social upheaval.

Al-Ramli’snarrative depicts exile’s harsh realities, driven by explosive forces. The painmirrors skin flaying for those trampled in their homeland. The novel stitchesmemories – Azawi’s café, Basra’s winged bull. Older generations cling, whileyounger ones, overwhelmed, seek refuge in succinct expressions. “ScatteredCrumbs,” set in 1980s Iraq, reflects profound suffering during dictatorship andconflict.