arabvoices

BOOKS

The Stolen Novel

Salma, a middle-aged woman, decides to rebuild her life by becoming a writer after discovering her husband’s infidelity. Lacking the ability to invent original stories, she begins stealing details and manuscripts from the writers and intellectuals around her. Hassan Kamal delivers a brilliant, darkly satirical comedy of the contemporary Cairo publishing industry. The Stolen Novel is a sharp critique of literary commercialism and intellectual vanity, exposing the ways in which personal trauma is commodified for public consumption.

Hassan Kamal

An Egyptian physician specializing in sports medicine and a highly accomplished author, Hasan Kamal seamlessly bridges his scientific background with sharp, satirical literary fiction. He gained early acclaim with his short story collection Koshary Misr, which won the Sawiris Cultural Award (2009). Transitioning to long-form narratives, Kamal’s novels-including Al-Marhoum (The Deceased), Al-Asyad (The Masters), and The Stolen Novel (Al-Riwaya Al-Masrouqa, longlisted for the IPAF in 2025)-employ a unique blend of dark humor and philosophical inquiry to dissect Egyptian social dynamics, making him a distinct and deeply observant voice in contemporary Arabic literature.

FEATURED BOOKS

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Years of Freckles

Cosmetic Surgery

Kush Ko

Asha: The Scarab and the Moon

Without a Last Chapter

The Lady’s Tavern

Various Ways to Kill Ants