Victoria Levchenko’s Reviews > Rotten Evidence: Reading and Writing in an Egyptian Prison > Status Update
Victoria Levchenko
is 99% done
Brilliant, eye-opening
Sweet to find a mention of Sonallah Ibrahim’s “That Smell,” which I read last year. Arabic authors without fail discuss other books and writers (canonical or not) in their works, nonfiction or fiction. I love this practice of situating yourself in group, not a stand alone “genius” author outside existing culture. It’s missing in 21st century books of the West. Outdated maybe?
— Jan 08, 2026 09:29PM
Sweet to find a mention of Sonallah Ibrahim’s “That Smell,” which I read last year. Arabic authors without fail discuss other books and writers (canonical or not) in their works, nonfiction or fiction. I love this practice of situating yourself in group, not a stand alone “genius” author outside existing culture. It’s missing in 21st century books of the West. Outdated maybe?
Like flag
