Cities Without Palms: A Modern Arabic Novel (Modern Arabic Novels) [Hardcover]

Tarek Eltayeb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2009 | Series: Modern Arabic Novels

In a desperate attempt to save his mother and two sisters from famine and disease, a young man leaves his native village in Sudan and sets out alone to seek work in the city. This is the beginning of Hamza's long journey. Hunger and destitution lead him ever farther from his home: first from Sudan to Egypt, where the lack of work forces him to join a band of smugglers, and finally from Egypt to Europe Italy, France, Holland where he experiences first-hand the harsh world of migrant laborers and the bitter realities of life as an illegal immigrant. Tarek Eltayeb's first novel offers an uncompromising depiction of poverty in both the developed and the developing world. With its simple yet elegant style, Cities without Palms tells of a tragic human life punctuated by moments of true joy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tarek Eltayeb was born in Cairo in 1959, the son of Sudanese parents. Since 1984 he has lived in Austria, where he is currently a professor at the International Management Center of the University of Applied Sciences at Krems. He is the author of two novels as well as short stories and poetry.

Kareem James Palmer-Zeid is working on his PhD in comparative literature at the University of California, Berkeley. He has published translations of Arabic poetry in various journals.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: American University in Cairo Press (February 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9774162560
• ISBN-13: 978-9774162565
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,849,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.