An Introduction to Arabic Literature

by Roger Allen

Roger Allen provides a comprehensive introductory survey of literary texts in Arabic, from their unknown beginnings in the fifth century AD to the present day, and from Islam's sacred text, the Qur'an, to popular literature including The Arabian Nights and a wealth of poetry, narrative prose, drama and criticism. With extensive quotations in English translation, a chronology and a guide to further reading, this revised and abridged version of Allen's acclaimed study, The Arabic Literary Heritage (CUP 1998), provides an invaluable student introduction to a major non-Western literary tradition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle East

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Roger Allen is an English scholar of Arabic literature. He has translated several Arabic works of literature into English, and has also written scholarly works on Arabic literature.

He was the first student at Oxford University to obtain a PhD degree in modern Arabic literature, which he did under the supervision of Muhammad Mustafa Badawi. His doctoral thesis was on Muhammad al-Muwaylihi’s narrative Hadith Isa ibn Hisham (Isa Ibn Hisham’s Tale), and was later published as a book titled A Period of Time (1974, 1992).

At the request of Dr Gaber Asfour, the Director-General of the Supreme Council for Culture in Egypt, he later prepared an edition of the complete works of Muhammad al-Muwaylihi (2002), and that of his father, Ibrahim al-Muwaylihi (2007).

In 1968, Allen moved from Bristol to Philadelphia to take up an academic position at the University of Pennsylvania, where he subsequently taught generations of students and Arabic scholars. He co-wrote an Arabic textbook with Adel Allouche, and was engaged with Arabic pedagogy throughout his career. After a 43-year career at UPenn, he retired in 2011, serving as chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations for the last six years.

As a translator, Allen has brought forth into English numerous works of contemporary Arabic literature, a list of which is given below. His translations of Naguib Mahfouz were instrumental in bringing the Egyptian writer to global attention, and Allen also played a critical role in the nomination process that eventually led to Mahfouz winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988.

Roger Allen was the first director of the Huntsman Program at the University of Pennsylvania along with Jamshed Ghandi.

Reviews

[Tante Tot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why so few female writers, Roger?!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roger Allen writes a collection of essays surveying Arabic literature. Arranged by subject, each essay identifies prominent themes and people (many men and some women too). The seven chapters include: the critical issues of defining "literature"; the scope of literary contexts; the influence of the Qur'an; poetry; "belletristic prose and narrative"; drama; and criticism. Designed for undergraduate instruction, this book includes a helpful regional timeline and bibliography for further reading. Each essay is mostly self-contained and could be generally understood alone; however, reading the entire book is best for comprehension. While some readers seeking a historically minded survey will be frustrated by the subject theme design, and while readers unfamiliar with Arab history and literary terminology will be overwhelmed by the content, other familiar readers should find this a helpful resource for navigating the rich literary landscape and for insightful appreciation of a generous wealth of written human experience.

[pccaceres · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5✯/ 5
Un testo puramente tecnico che, senza ingannare col voto che gli ho dato, mi è piaciuto. Ha un’organizzazione discutibile e menziona nomi e opere in una maniera che è difficile da ricordare, suonando quasi ridondante e confusionario. Ritengo sia quindi un pessimo libro da studiare per preparare un esame sull’argomento, ma un bel libro divulgativo per introdurre l’argomento della letteratura araba. Mi ha affascinato, e anzi, anche invogliato e scoprire più a fondo temi e le opere spiegate, ma prevedo numerosi mal di testa a studiarlo e riassumerlo. Quello ovviamente non è responsabilità dell’autore ma della professoressa che l’ha indicato.

[Maher Battuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

روجر ألِن مستعرب معروف له كتب كثيرة عن الأدب العربى . وهذا الكتاب صدر عام 2000 ويقدم للقارئ الغربى أساسا فكرة سريعة واضحة عن الشعر والقصة والدراما العربية من القدم الى الآن ، وبهذا فهو مجرد عرض انتقائى
وهو يخصص فى كتابه فصلا كاملا عن القرآن الكريم .