What do you think?
Rate this book
Beirut Noir
Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book.
Featuring brand-new stories by: Rawi Hage, Muhammad Abi Samra, Leila Eid, Hala Kawtharani, Marie Tawk, Bana Baydoun, Hyam Yared, Najwa Barakat, Alawiyeh Sobh, Mazen Zahreddine, Abbas Beydoun, Bachir Hilal, Zena El Khalil, Mazen Maarouf, and Tarek Abi Samra.
Most of the writers in this volume are still living in Beirut, so this is an important contribution to Middle East literature--not the "outsider's perspective" that often characterizes contemporary literature set in the region.
From the introduction by Iman Humaydan (translated by Michelle Hartman):
"Beirut is a city of contradiction and paradox. It is an urban and rural city, one of violence and forgiveness, memory and forgetfulness. Beirut is a city of war and peace. This short story collection is a part of a vibrant, living recovery of Beirut. Beirut Noir recovers the city once again through writing, through the literary visions of its authors...
"From within this collection of stories, a general attitude toward Beirut emerges: the city is viewed from a position of critique, doubt, disappointment, and despair. The stories here show the vast maze of the city that can't be found in tourist brochures or nostalgic depictions of Beirut that are completely out of touch with reality. Perhaps this goes without saying in a collection of stories titled Beirut Noir. But the 'noir' label here should be viewed from multiple angles, and it takes on many different forms in the stories. No doubt this is because it is imbricated in the distinct moments that Beirut has lived through and how they are depicted in the stories."
Featuring brand-new stories by: Rawi Hage, Muhammad Abi Samra, Leila Eid, Hala Kawtharani, Marie Tawk, Bana Baydoun, Hyam Yared, Najwa Barakat, Alawiyeh Sobh, Mazen Zahreddine, Abbas Beydoun, Bachir Hilal, Zena El Khalil, Mazen Maarouf, and Tarek Abi Samra.
Most of the writers in this volume are still living in Beirut, so this is an important contribution to Middle East literature--not the "outsider's perspective" that often characterizes contemporary literature set in the region.
From the introduction by Iman Humaydan (translated by Michelle Hartman):
"Beirut is a city of contradiction and paradox. It is an urban and rural city, one of violence and forgiveness, memory and forgetfulness. Beirut is a city of war and peace. This short story collection is a part of a vibrant, living recovery of Beirut. Beirut Noir recovers the city once again through writing, through the literary visions of its authors...
"From within this collection of stories, a general attitude toward Beirut emerges: the city is viewed from a position of critique, doubt, disappointment, and despair. The stories here show the vast maze of the city that can't be found in tourist brochures or nostalgic depictions of Beirut that are completely out of touch with reality. Perhaps this goes without saying in a collection of stories titled Beirut Noir. But the 'noir' label here should be viewed from multiple angles, and it takes on many different forms in the stories. No doubt this is because it is imbricated in the distinct moments that Beirut has lived through and how they are depicted in the stories."
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
25 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Iman Humaydan
6 books10 followersBorn in 1956, Iman Humaydan studied sociology at the American University in Beirut. She is a writer, anthropologist and journalist and has a weekly column in the Lebanese newspaper Assafir. Her novels have been translated into English, French, German, Italian and Dutch.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 30, 2022
https://popoca.com.br/beirute-noir/
https://leiturasdelaura.blogspot.com/...
SPOILER FREE
Para abrir o ano, e o Desafio Literário Popoca 2022, que tem o tema de janeiro livro de contos, escolhi um exemplar da série Noir da editora liberal e alternativa Akashic Books. A editora se especializa em autores que são ignorados ou não querem trabalhar no mainstream editorial dos EUA, e a série Noir tem ainda um viés internacional, pois foca em autores de diversos países.
A série Noir hoje já conta com mais de 70 cidades espalhadas por todos os continentes, com contos de autores locais e histórias inéditas que se passam na cidade título do livro. Beirute Noir, a minha escolha da vez, pode ser encontrado também em português, pois foi publicado no Brasil pela Editora Tabla, especializada em literatura árabe.
Para a capital libanesa, a seleção de contos foi organizada pela autora Iman Humaydan, também libanesa, e contem 15 contos de 14 autores libaneses e um palestino criado no Líbano. Os contos foram originalmente escritos em três idiomas, árabe, francês e inglês, o que já uma traz uma característica bastante interessante do Líbano, onde não só é comum encontrar pessoas bilíngues, mas o país também possui uma diáspora considerável espalhada pelo mundo inteiro.
Uma característica da série Noir é que os contos acontecem por diversos bairros da cidade título, e no caso específico de Beirute, os contos ainda se passam durante a guerra civil libanesa, que ocorreu entre 1974 e 1990, acontecimento que marcou profundamente o país. Por ainda por cima ser um livro de temática noir e com contos passados durante uma guerra civil... já dá pra sentir que as histórias não são exatamente leves.
Como todo livro de contos, é claro que Beirute Noir tem seus altos e baixos, mas de forma geral os autores trazem um retrato bastante interessante da cidade dividida pela guerra, com personagens pertencentes às diversas etnias e religiões que dividem o país. Achei especialmente interessante ver os armênios (com direito a citação à fuga do que hoje é a Turquia e o genocídio armênio), os muçulmanos, os cristãos, com direito as suas variações... o Líbano é um país muito mais diverso do que se costuma imaginar.
Mas é preciso estar preparado para a brutalidade da guerra, que muitas vezes é retratada de forma corriqueira, e o fato de que nenhuma história vai ter um final feliz. Eu confesso que gostei particularmente das histórias cujos protagonistas são mulheres, e algumas com protagonistas homens foram especialmente marcantes também. Com exceção de um ou outro conto que não me caiu bem, a leitura foi bem rápida e surpreendente agradável, considerando o tema.
Recomendo muitíssimo para ter contato com autores que dificilmente temos acesso, especialmente em português. É uma oportunidade imperdível.
https://leiturasdelaura.blogspot.com/...
SPOILER FREE
Para abrir o ano, e o Desafio Literário Popoca 2022, que tem o tema de janeiro livro de contos, escolhi um exemplar da série Noir da editora liberal e alternativa Akashic Books. A editora se especializa em autores que são ignorados ou não querem trabalhar no mainstream editorial dos EUA, e a série Noir tem ainda um viés internacional, pois foca em autores de diversos países.
A série Noir hoje já conta com mais de 70 cidades espalhadas por todos os continentes, com contos de autores locais e histórias inéditas que se passam na cidade título do livro. Beirute Noir, a minha escolha da vez, pode ser encontrado também em português, pois foi publicado no Brasil pela Editora Tabla, especializada em literatura árabe.
Para a capital libanesa, a seleção de contos foi organizada pela autora Iman Humaydan, também libanesa, e contem 15 contos de 14 autores libaneses e um palestino criado no Líbano. Os contos foram originalmente escritos em três idiomas, árabe, francês e inglês, o que já uma traz uma característica bastante interessante do Líbano, onde não só é comum encontrar pessoas bilíngues, mas o país também possui uma diáspora considerável espalhada pelo mundo inteiro.
Uma característica da série Noir é que os contos acontecem por diversos bairros da cidade título, e no caso específico de Beirute, os contos ainda se passam durante a guerra civil libanesa, que ocorreu entre 1974 e 1990, acontecimento que marcou profundamente o país. Por ainda por cima ser um livro de temática noir e com contos passados durante uma guerra civil... já dá pra sentir que as histórias não são exatamente leves.
Como todo livro de contos, é claro que Beirute Noir tem seus altos e baixos, mas de forma geral os autores trazem um retrato bastante interessante da cidade dividida pela guerra, com personagens pertencentes às diversas etnias e religiões que dividem o país. Achei especialmente interessante ver os armênios (com direito a citação à fuga do que hoje é a Turquia e o genocídio armênio), os muçulmanos, os cristãos, com direito as suas variações... o Líbano é um país muito mais diverso do que se costuma imaginar.
Mas é preciso estar preparado para a brutalidade da guerra, que muitas vezes é retratada de forma corriqueira, e o fato de que nenhuma história vai ter um final feliz. Eu confesso que gostei particularmente das histórias cujos protagonistas são mulheres, e algumas com protagonistas homens foram especialmente marcantes também. Com exceção de um ou outro conto que não me caiu bem, a leitura foi bem rápida e surpreendente agradável, considerando o tema.
Recomendo muitíssimo para ter contato com autores que dificilmente temos acesso, especialmente em português. É uma oportunidade imperdível.
December 30, 2015
Beirut Noir is the most disappointing edition in the Akashic noir series I have read so far. I found the stories to be extremely inaccessible and this is after I did some research into the wars that have torn the city apart. Iman Humaydan's introduction is excellent, but only went so far in acting as an aid in understanding the stories included therein.
July 8, 2017
This is probably the lowest rating that I have given any of the Akashic Noir series books. It is a kind of testament to the idea that I was not really getting into this collection in that it took me nearly a month to finish it. The editor mentions that many, if not all of the stories, are driven by the civil strife and conflict that has been going on since 1975, but I just could not seem to relate to any of the stories or their characters. On to the next book!
January 28, 2016
NOTE: This review contains the names of all authors featured in this short story collection. In my experience browsing similar books online, this valuable information is not prominently displayed.
As a reader with a strong interest in exploring Lebanese and other Arabic literature in [English] translation, I had been looking forward to the release of Beirut Noir for many months. After reading a copy I received through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program, I can say my high expectations were satisfied. This collection featured authors whose fiction has been translated and with which I was previously familiar such as Najwa Barakat (author of Oh, Salaam!) and Abbas Beydoun (Blood Test). Also included was Lebanese-Canadian novelist Rawi Hage, who has written several critically acclaimed novels in English (De Niro's Game, Cockroach, Carnival).
I was pleasantly surprised, however, that every other writer featured was unknown to me despite my relatively frequent searches for new and existing translations of modern Lebanese literature. So, I have now read twice as many Lebanese authors thanks to Akashic's Noir collections' Beirut edition. It's worth noting that the collection is edited by another excellent writer whose originally Arabic fiction is already available in English -- Iman Humaydan (sometimes credited as Iman Humaydan Younes, I think).. In addition to the authors already mentioned, this collection includes stories by:
--Tarek Abi Samra;
--Zena El Khalil;
--Bana Beydoun;
--Hyam Yared;
--Leila Eid;
--"The Amazin' Sardine";
--Mazen Maarouf;
--Bachir Hilal;
--Hala Kawtharani;
--Mohamed Abi Samra;
--Alawiya Sobh, and;
--Marie Tawk
Another strength of this collection besides offering a very rare sampling of a range of contemporary Lebanese authors' fiction in translation is that Beirut Noir's stories all deal with the critically important subject of Lebanon's Civil War. If you are a reader who is sometimes interested in exploring new cultures or learning history through fiction, this shared topical focus provides a strong basis for investment of your time in this read, IMHO.
I highly recommend this book to readers very interested in Lebanon and/or contemporary Arabic literature as well as to those who are curious about this area but have no prior knowledge or relevant
As a reader with a strong interest in exploring Lebanese and other Arabic literature in [English] translation, I had been looking forward to the release of Beirut Noir for many months. After reading a copy I received through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program, I can say my high expectations were satisfied. This collection featured authors whose fiction has been translated and with which I was previously familiar such as Najwa Barakat (author of Oh, Salaam!) and Abbas Beydoun (Blood Test). Also included was Lebanese-Canadian novelist Rawi Hage, who has written several critically acclaimed novels in English (De Niro's Game, Cockroach, Carnival).
I was pleasantly surprised, however, that every other writer featured was unknown to me despite my relatively frequent searches for new and existing translations of modern Lebanese literature. So, I have now read twice as many Lebanese authors thanks to Akashic's Noir collections' Beirut edition. It's worth noting that the collection is edited by another excellent writer whose originally Arabic fiction is already available in English -- Iman Humaydan (sometimes credited as Iman Humaydan Younes, I think).. In addition to the authors already mentioned, this collection includes stories by:
--Tarek Abi Samra;
--Zena El Khalil;
--Bana Beydoun;
--Hyam Yared;
--Leila Eid;
--"The Amazin' Sardine";
--Mazen Maarouf;
--Bachir Hilal;
--Hala Kawtharani;
--Mohamed Abi Samra;
--Alawiya Sobh, and;
--Marie Tawk
Another strength of this collection besides offering a very rare sampling of a range of contemporary Lebanese authors' fiction in translation is that Beirut Noir's stories all deal with the critically important subject of Lebanon's Civil War. If you are a reader who is sometimes interested in exploring new cultures or learning history through fiction, this shared topical focus provides a strong basis for investment of your time in this read, IMHO.
I highly recommend this book to readers very interested in Lebanon and/or contemporary Arabic literature as well as to those who are curious about this area but have no prior knowledge or relevant
January 19, 2016
I wanted to like this book more than I ended up liking it. I haven't been able to finish reading it and don't think I will ever finish. The writing and translation is very competent, but all the stories up through the halfway point feel too Literary-with-a-capital-L for me. They are all very serious and meaningful and heavy, leaving it a slog to get through. For someone whose tastes run more to that flavor of reading, this would be a great read, but it is not for me.
September 29, 2018
I picked that book thinking i'd be relating to the stories, stories that would go deep into each lebanese and shake him/her just like the war and the obstacles shook and scarred us and still is. The only story that I enjoyed was Bird Nation. Well written!
May 27, 2023
Strong on neurotic romance in a time of war. Short on noir crime and mystery. Disappointing for my expectations.
October 12, 2019
Difficult reading given some of the heartbreaking content. However i don’t regret pushing on, it did give me a deeper sense of a city I love.
July 25, 2020
There were maybe 3 stories that I enjoyed in the whole book.
March 6, 2021
2.5 purely because I have too many expectations, but overall it´s a good literary introduction to Beirut.
June 13, 2023
A incredible one! I had many reflections and thoughts along the stories. I’d recommend everyone to read!
December 7, 2023
redondant
January 4, 2016
I loved this book. In fact, so far, this has been my favorite in the Noir series. I did wonder at times what may have been lost in translation between Arabic and English but that did not deter me from continuing to read nor did it detract from my enjoyment of this book.
I think the editor made excellent choices in the material. It represented sections of the city of Beirut and while war was an important theme, and how could it not be given the sheer number of years that conflict has permeated the landscape, it was not the only theme.
One of the fun aspects was understanding the experience of natives who both stayed in the city and those that left and returned after time away, often in former colonial enclaves. It was great to see the influences of all the cultures and religious experiences that have shaped Beirut.
My picks? “The Bastard” by Tarek Abi Samra; “Beirut Apples” by Leila Eid; “Rupture” by Bachir Hilal; and “The Thread of Life” by Hala Kawtharani. My least favorite was originally written in English and is called “Dirty Teeth” by the Amazin' Sardine. Still, the writing was very poetic and I have to say, there were some very beautiful endings to some of the stories.
There is a certain poetry and movement to Arabic writing that once you get into the flow (as in the flow in English) you come to appreciate it. I was also happy to note the role – even tangentially, that Australia played in a few of the stories. Having lived in Australia and made several Lebanese friends, I was able to look at and appreciate things they had shared about being Lebanese and being Australian.
Loved it. Recommend it. Keep and open mind and an open heart while reading it.
I think the editor made excellent choices in the material. It represented sections of the city of Beirut and while war was an important theme, and how could it not be given the sheer number of years that conflict has permeated the landscape, it was not the only theme.
One of the fun aspects was understanding the experience of natives who both stayed in the city and those that left and returned after time away, often in former colonial enclaves. It was great to see the influences of all the cultures and religious experiences that have shaped Beirut.
My picks? “The Bastard” by Tarek Abi Samra; “Beirut Apples” by Leila Eid; “Rupture” by Bachir Hilal; and “The Thread of Life” by Hala Kawtharani. My least favorite was originally written in English and is called “Dirty Teeth” by the Amazin' Sardine. Still, the writing was very poetic and I have to say, there were some very beautiful endings to some of the stories.
There is a certain poetry and movement to Arabic writing that once you get into the flow (as in the flow in English) you come to appreciate it. I was also happy to note the role – even tangentially, that Australia played in a few of the stories. Having lived in Australia and made several Lebanese friends, I was able to look at and appreciate things they had shared about being Lebanese and being Australian.
Loved it. Recommend it. Keep and open mind and an open heart while reading it.
April 6, 2023
Excelente tradução e edição pela Editora Tabla (mais uma vez), Beirut Noir é um livro muito político e emocionante.
Alguns contos me deixaram meio avoado, talvez pela falta de familiaridade com as referência à Beirute que são vastas. Ainda assim, a imersão é incrível e cada conto tem uma personalidade própria.
Alguns contos me deixaram meio avoado, talvez pela falta de familiaridade com as referência à Beirute que são vastas. Ainda assim, a imersão é incrível e cada conto tem uma personalidade própria.
June 8, 2016
I had a difficult time relating to these stories. Perhaps I am not as well read as I thought I was or perhaps it is because I have never travelled outside my home country yet alone a country surrounded with such chaos and upheaval. Whatever the case because so many of the stories were written about the already departed and not the here and now I found them hard to connect with.
I did however enjoy the writing. I feel as though little could have been lost in the beauty and fluidity of the prose. Two of my favorite stories were The Bastard by Tarek Abi Samra & Pizza Delivery by Bana Beydoun.
I did however enjoy the writing. I feel as though little could have been lost in the beauty and fluidity of the prose. Two of my favorite stories were The Bastard by Tarek Abi Samra & Pizza Delivery by Bana Beydoun.
Read
March 10, 2016"In Beirut Noir, Iman Humaydan has selected a beautiful and often heartbreaking jigsaw portrait of its eponymous city. This is very much a political book and an emotional one, invested in criticism of the city’s history of division and often succumbing to melancholy. But there is immense love here, in words written beneath the shadow of a brutal civil war." - Michael Kazepis
This book was reviewed in the January 2016 issue of World Literature Today magazine. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...
This book was reviewed in the January 2016 issue of World Literature Today magazine. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2...
February 4, 2017
In compliance with FTC guidelines, I have won this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
June 13, 2023
Incredible book! I had many reflections and thoughts along the stories. I’d recommend everyone to read!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews