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Paul Starkey

ポール・スターキー

Pōru Sutākī

Profile

Gender
Male
Nationality
United Kingdom
Languages
English, Arabic

Career

Occupations
academic, translator, university professor
Affiliations
University of Durham (Emeritus Professor), Centre for Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW; former co-director)
Influenced By
Tawfiq Hakim, Sonallah Ibrahim, Edwar al-Kharrat

Education

Oxford University
Arabic Studies
Degree: 博士 (PhD)
Country: United Kingdom
Doctoral dissertation concerned the works of Egyptian writer Tawfiq Hakim.

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Modern Arabic Literature

2006 Literary survey / Academic

A scholarly survey of modern Arabic literature, covering developments since the twentieth century, major authors, movements and genres.

modernizationliterary movementsEgyptian literature

Maryam's Maze (translation)

Novel (translation)

An English translation of a novel by Mansoura Ez-Eldin, bringing the author's voice to Anglophone readers.

contemporary Egyptmemory and identity

The Drowning (translation)

Novel (translation)

An English translation of a novel by Hammour Ziada, addressing social and political themes in the contemporary Arab world.

social issueshistory and memory

Stones of Bobello (translation)

Novel (translation)

An English translation of a work by Edwar al-Kharrat, conveying experimental narration and forms of modern Arab fiction.

experimental techniquesmemory

Bibliography

  • Modern Arabic Literature (2006)
  • Egypt Through the Eyes of Travellers (co-edited, 2002)
  • Interpreting the Orient: Travellers in Egypt and the Near East, vol 2 (with Janet Starkey)
  • Unfolding the Orient: Travellers in Egypt and the Near East (with Janet Starkey)
  • Encyclopedia of Arabic Literature (two volumes, co-edited, 1998)
  • Travellers in Egypt (with Janet Starkey, 1998)
  • Translation: Dear Mr Kawabata (by Rachid al-Daif)
  • Translation: Maryam's Maze (by Mansoura Ez-Eldin)
  • Translation: Shumaisi (by Turki Al-Hamad)
  • Translation: Stones of Bobello (by Edwar Al-Kharrat)
  • Translation: We Are All Equally Far from Love (by Adania Shibli)
  • Translation: The Drowning (by Hammour Ziada)

Translations by Author

  • Dear Mr Kawabata (Rachid al-Daif)
  • Maryam's Maze (Mansoura Ez-Eldin)
  • Shumaisi (Turki Al-Hamad)
  • Stones of Bobello (Edwar Al-Kharrat)
  • We Are All Equally Far from Love (Adania Shibli)
  • The Drowning (Hammour Ziada)
  • East Winds, West Winds (possible translation of Mahdī ʻĪsá Ṣaqr, 2010)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
scholarly and clear prosecomparative literary approach
Recurring Motifs
historicizing modern Arab literaturecross-cultural exchange via travel writing and translation

Legacy

A scholar and translator known for contributions to the study of modern Arab literature. Noted for work on the 1960s generation of Egyptian writers and for translations from Arabic to English, helping to promote understanding of Arab literature in the Anglophone world.

Academic Societies

  • British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES)

Archives

  • Durham University archives (possible holding of related materials)

Trivia

  • Emeritus professor in the Arabic department at the University of Durham.
  • Known as a specialist on the 1960s generation of Egyptian writers (e.g., Sonallah Ibrahim, Edwar al-Kharrat).
  • Has translations published in Banipal magazine and has served on the judging panel of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.