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Edition 2 (2007) Nominee
Peter Christopher Sebastian Theroux
ピーター・クリストファー・セバスチャン・セロー
Peter Christopher Sebastian Theroux
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1956-01-01 （Boston, Massachusetts, USA）
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Roman Catholic
- Residence History
- Los Angeles, California, USA
Career
- Occupations
- Translator, Writer, Journalist
- Active Years
- 1976-
- Influenced By
- Naguib Mahfouz, Abdul Rahman Munif
- Influenced
- Arabic-to-English translators in the English-speaking world
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | English literature | Department of English | — | 1970s | United States |
| American University in Cairo | — | English literature | — | 1年間 | Egypt |
Harvard University
English literature
/ Department of English
Period:
1970s
Country:
United States
Majored in English literature
American University in Cairo
English literature
Period:
1年間
Country:
Egypt
Studied for one year; developed interest in Middle Eastern literature
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | University of Arkansas Press Award for Arabic Literature in Translation | Dongola: A Novel of Nubia | — | University of Arkansas Press | 受賞 |
University of Arkansas Press Award for Arabic Literature in Translation
1997
Work:
Dongola: A Novel of Nubia
Organization:
University of Arkansas Press
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Sandstorms
1990 TravelogueA travel book recounting extensive travels in the Middle East, with candid observations on culture and politics.
TravelMiddle Eastern culturesPolitics
Cities of Salt (translation)
1984 Novel (translation)Translation of the first volume of Abdul Rahman Munif's epic novel cycle.
Oil and social changeModernizationCommunity disruption
Dongola: A Novel of Nubia (translation)
1998 Novel (translation)Translation of Idris Ali's novel dealing with Nubian culture and history.
EthnicityHistoryIdentity
Children of the Alley (translation)
Novel (translation)Translation of Naguib Mahfouz's novel, an allegorical depiction of modern Egyptian society.
Religious allegorySocial critique
Bibliography
- Sandstorms
- Translating LA
- Cities of Salt (translation)
- Children of the Alley (translation)
- Dongola: A Novel of Nubia (translation)
- Naphtalene: A Novel of Baghdad (translation)
- Yalo (translation)
- The House of Mathilde (translation)
- Journey into the Heart of My Enemy (translation)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Clear and poetic translation styleBalance between literal and adaptive translation that preserves cultural nuance
- Recurring Motifs
- Travel and encounterCross-cultural dialogueMemory and identity
Legacy
Highly regarded as a translator who introduced contemporary Arabic fiction to the English-speaking world; contributed significantly as a cultural bridge for Middle Eastern literature. Also known for travel writing and essays.
Quotes
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(Raymond Stock) "There's none better. His translations are clear and poetic and read like they're written in English."
Source: Profile in Washington City Paper (quotation attributed to Raymond Stock)
Trivia
- Younger brother of writers Alexander and Paul Theroux.
- Studied for one year at the American University in Cairo and developed an interest in Middle Eastern literature.
- Reportedly won the University of Arkansas Press award for his translation of Idris Ali's Dongola.
- Lives in Los Angeles.
- Worked as a journalist in Saudi Arabia and has been reported to have worked as a senior CIA analyst for over two decades.