Additional information
by Laila Familiar (Editor), Tanit Assaf (Editor)
This book is an abridged edition of the Arabic novel Saaq al-Bambuu (The Bamboo Stalk), written by Saud al-Sanousi, a living Kuwaiti writer. The abridged edition, which was written by the editors and approved by the author (highlighting its authenticity), is presented in Arabic and provided with exercises for use in an Arabic language-learning course at the intermediate-advanced level. Following Familiar's first book, Hoda Barakat's Sayyidi wa Habibi, this book seeks to engage students in reading a rewarding story that was written by a contemporary Middle Eastern author, while providing them with the necessary apparatus to understand the language and literature with which they are engaging. In addition, the author has won several awards, including the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction, for this book. Included with the book are: brief bio of the author; exercises for each chapter; and glossaries of literary terms and literary devices.
Novel synopsis: It is a coming-of-age story of a half-Filippino, half-Kuwaiti teen who returns to his father's Kuwait. The novel addresses many current social issues, including who is accepted, what acceptance means, the hierarchies of Kuwaiti society, and the results of poverty.
Author Biography
Laila Familiar teaches Arabic at NYU-Abu Dhabi and is the author of Hoda Barakat's Sayyidi wa Habibi.
Tanit Assaf teaches Arabic at the Official Language School of Barcelona.
Saud al-Sanousi is a Kuwaiti novelist and journalist. His work has won several awards, including the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (2013) for Saaq al-Bambuu.
