Modern Arabic drama : an anthology /

This anthology of English translations of modern Arabic drama maintains the consistently high scholarly and literary standards set by previous volumes in the "Indiana Series in Arab and Islamic Studies." As the editors' preface and M.M. Badawi's introduction point out, modern Arabic drama has both a long tradition within related historical Arab forms and an immediate relationship to contemporaneous European influences in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The 12 plays presented here, in exemplary translations, exhibit the ways in which those several contexts have contributed to the genre. The editors acknowledge the significance of Egypt as a dramatic center, but they include plays and unpublished scenarios from across the Arab world--Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and Kuwait. And the work of playwrights and theatrical companies, from the now canonical Salah 'Abd al-Sabur to the Palestinian troupe Balalin, are included in the collection. A dynamically important asset for the study of theater and drama, modern literature, the Middle East, and comparative literature, this volume is recommended for all academic libraries. B. Harlow University of Texas at Austin

The development of modern Arabic drama parallels the independence movement in Arab nations that followed World War II. Because of government censorship, Arab playwrights have often used symbolism and historical settings to convey their messages safely. Drawing together 12 plays from Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia, this collection fairly represents the range of playwrighting that has evolved under these conditions over the past 30 years. Included are verse plays such as Abd al-Sabur's Night Traveler, historical dramas like Ali Salim's The Comedy of Oedipus, and Sadallah Wannus's political drama, The King's the King. Mahmud Diyab's Strangers Don't Drink Coffee deals with the effect of totalitarianism on an ordinary citizen. This solid collection recognizes the richness and diversity of Arabic drama and will be a useful addition to literary collections in both academic and public libraries, especially those serving Arabic populations.‘Howard E. Miller, Alliance Blue Cross & Blue Shield Lib., St. Louis (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.