Translating Libya: The Modern Libyan Short Story

by Ethan Chorin

Part anthology and part travelogue, Translating Libya presents the country through the eyes of sixteen Libyan short story writers and one American diplomat. Intrigued by the apparent absence of 'place' in modern Libyan short fiction, Ethan Chorin resolved to track down and translate stories that specifically mention cities and landmarks in Libya. The stories trace the influence of the ancient Romans, the later Italian occupation and the current influx of foreign workers from Africa and further afield. The authors open a window on today's Libya - 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. This is a unique introduction to a country that has for some time been 'off the beaten path'.   Ethan Chorin served from 2004-6 as the first US Commercial/Economic Attache stationed in Libya since 1980.  

Genres: Short Stories, Libya

238 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

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

[Nada Elfeituri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic primer for those getting into Libyan literature. What makes Chorin's book so fascinating is that it is interspersed with his own perspective of working in Libya as a diplomate, his search for these short stories in the old bookshops of different cities.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting not only in the variety of short stories which Ethan Chorin arranges by place but for his own travels and reminiscences of visiting and working in the country in the past decades. As per usual with such anthologies there are some stories that succeed far more than others- The Mute by Abdullah Aliu Al-Gazal and The Old Hotel by Kamel Maghurbut were two of my favorites- but as a picture of Libya throughout the past century the book as a whole is an enjoyable read with interesting introductions and critical interpretation of the stories included.

[Esther Kofod · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN AMAZING JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF LIBYA...
Libya is a very large and beautiful country, and there are so many places which I regret not having visited when I lived there.
In "Translating Libya", I was transported back, and saw them through the eyes of Ethan Chorin and the words of Libyan writers.
His beautiful translation of these gems of Libyan literature is an extraordinary gift to those of us who, like him, love Libya.
Thank you, Mr. Chorin, for this Libyan Classic, which I shall enjoy time and time again.
Esther Kofod
Author, THE LIBYAN

[Tom Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slim volume containing an unusual collection of stories translated into English, dating back to the brief period when the West resumed diplomatic relations with the Ghadaffi regime and before the civil war. Very enjoyable. Unfortunately out of print, but still available second hand.

[Kate Throp · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting anthology of Libyan short stories interspersed with commentary, history and travelogue by the compiler and translator. Favourites were the Locusts and Door to Door.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a great glimpse into the writings of contemporary and past libyans from differing parts of the country. there were several themes that repeated throughout the book, such as minority status, religion and sex. i found the stories enjoyable since they were all bittersweet. some would label them somewhat depressing, but i beg to differ. the stories were filled with a good dose of interpersonal realities.

a great read . . . but then again, i'm a north african studies junkie. for those of you like me who are obsessed with libya: read it.