International Prize for Arabic Fiction
1 appearances
-
Edition 3 (2010) Winner
Abdo Khal
アブド・ハール
Abdo Khal
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1962-08-03 （Mijannah, Jizan, Saudi Arabia）
- Nationality
- Saudi Arabia
- Languages
- Arabic
- Residence History
- Mijannah (birthplace), Jizan, Saudi Arabia → Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Journalist, Editor-in-chief, Columnist
- Active Years
- 1982-
- Affiliations
- Editor-in-chief and columnist at Ukaz newspaper, Board member of Jeddah Literary Club
- Memberships
- Jeddah Literary Club
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University (unspecified) | Faculty of Political Science | Department of Political Science | — | — | Saudi Arabia |
University (unspecified)
Faculty of Political Science
/ Department of Political Science
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Detailed educational background not clearly documented
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | International Prize for Arabic Fiction | She Throws Sparks (also cited as Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles) | — | International Prize for Arabic Fiction | Winner |
International Prize for Arabic Fiction
2010
Work:
She Throws Sparks (also cited as Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles)
Organization:
International Prize for Arabic Fiction
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
She Throws Sparks (Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles)
NovelA novel that confronts the corruption of the wealthy in the Arab world and addresses the taboo trio of sex, politics, and religion. The book has been difficult to obtain in the author's home country and won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2010.
corruptionpowerreligion and faithsex and taboossocial criticism
Translations
- Translated into English
- Translated into German
- Translated into French
Cities Eating Grass
NovelA novel/collection exploring urban change and societal transformation.
citieschangesociety
Immorality
NovelWork dealing with themes that challenge morals and norms.
moralitynormsindividual vs society
The Mud
NovelA work depicting poverty and harsh conditions of life.
povertysurvivalsocial critique
Death Passes from Here
NovelA work that treats themes of death and loss.
deathlossmemory
Days Don't Hide Anyone
Novel / Short storiesShort stories or a novel depicting everyday life and inner worlds of individuals.
daily lifeinterioritysociety
Barking
NovelA work expressing anger and discontent toward society in allegorical ways.
angercritiqueallegory
Bibliography
- Cities Eating Grass
- Immorality
- The Mud
- Death Passes from Here
- Days Don't Hide Anyone
- Barking
- She Throws Sparks
Translations of Works
- She Throws Sparks — translations exist in English, French and German
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- A distinctive style blending Qur'anic/classical Arabic with Hijazi dialectSocially critical narrative with allegory and symbolic elements
- Recurring Motifs
- corruptiontaboosreligionfall of the powerfulsex and desire
Legacy
The 2010 International Prize for Arabic Fiction brought the author international attention. Although some works are difficult to obtain in Saudi Arabia, the prize spurred translations and greater recognition outside the Arabic-speaking world. His socially critical style has provoked controversy.
Academic Societies
- Jeddah Literary Club
Quotes
-
(About his work) He says his books address the sacrosanct trio of taboos in the Arab world: sex, politics, and religion.
Source: Interview / news articles (e.g. CNN) (2010)
Trivia
- Worked as a journalist since 1982.
- Known for a distinctive style that mixes Qur'anic/classical Arabic with Hijazi dialect.
- She Throws Sparks won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2010 but has been difficult to obtain in Saudi Arabia.