Translating Libya: In Search of the Libyan Short Story

by Ethan Chorin

Part anthology and part travelogue, Translating Libya presents the country through the eyes of seventeen Libyan short story writers and one American diplomat.Intrigued by the apparent absence of 'place' in modern Libyan short fiction, Ethan Chorin, one of the first U.S. diplomats posted to Libya, resolved in 2004 to track down and translate stories that specifically mentioned cities and landmarks in Libya - and then to visit those places, and describe what he encountered there. The result is a mixture of travelogue and memoir that sheds light on the social factors that fed the 2011 Revolution, and its aftermath. The collection includes pieces from the 'sixties generation' of writers, as well as a newer generation of Libyan writers, including several women, writing in a variety of styles, "twisted" 1001 nights, to allegory, fictionalized memoir and overt satire.First published in 2008, this was one of the first books to introduce Libyan literature to an English-speaking audience. The updated 2015 revision includes a Foreword by Ahmed Ibrahim Fagih, one of Libya's most recognised authors, a new Introduction and a selection of essays by the author written in light of the Libyan revolution along with additional short stories. Chorin explains how the stories, under cover of anonymity, distorted place-names and double-meanings reveal the depth of anger and despair that precipitated and fed the Arab Spring - and serve as a reminder to those who fought heroically for their freedom, that true courage springs from isolating, not repeating the mistakes of the past. [From Amazon.com]

Genres: Libya, Middle East

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2015

About the author

Expert in US foreign policy and Libya, ex US diplomat, author of four books, including "Translating Libya", "Exit the Colonel" and "Benghazi!: A New History." Former Fulbright fellow (Jordan) and Fulbright Hays Fellow (Yemen), contributor to the New York Times, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Salon.com, Prospect, The National, Newsweek, BBC, Forbes.

Reviews

[Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of my choice for Libya , one of three countries chosen for March 2021 fir #invisiblecities 2020 where we are reading translated fiction.

It's always hard to review a short story compilation , as both the stories and the writers vary but I felt this book was only average .. I think Ethan Chorin the translator and compiler tries to hard to surround the stories with context , personal travels and encounters , literary context and his own reflections ..I think I would have simply preferred more stories and less Ethan Chorin . Although I do appreciate even obtaining the stories was very difficult .

The first edition was published in 2008 and Chorin , a US diplomat ,was keen to offer an more nuanced view of the country to a Western audience more familiar with older tropes of terrorism and extremism ..after the Arab Spring another edition was published in 2015 with some further reflections . It'd be interesting to have a third edition in 2021 as Libyan writers will still have some very powerful stories to tell.

As to the stories some are very simple indeed , a couple offer satire and allegory is used to make political points critical of the regime . I just wish there had been more ...

[Sara Bandinu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting collections of short stories not so well-known in the panorama of contemporary Libyan literature. The work of Ethan Chorin is precious, as most of the works/sources are difficult to find in the West and this collection represents a powerful and intersting insight of the Libyan culture. The book is enriched by the autgor's personal considerations on Libya and its various realities that alternate with translations, in a way that makes it look almost like a travel diary. Definitely a recommended read!

[bookblast official · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors open a window on a rapidly urbanizing country with rich oil reserves, recently renewed diplomatic relations with the West and a nascent tourist industry based on its well-preserved ancient cities.

Reviewed on The BookBlast® Diary 2017

[Mohamed El-Zeadani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories Ethan translates really capture the true essence of Libya. A fantastic read overall!