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Rabee Jaber

ラビー・ジャベール

Rabee Jaber

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1972 （Beirut, Lebanon）
Nationality
Lebanese
Languages
Arabic
Residence History
Beirut (birthplace / residence)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Journalist, Editor
Active Years
1992-
Affiliations
Editor of Afaaq (weekly cultural supplement), Al-Hayat newspaper
Nominations
Shortlist, International Prize for Arabic Fiction (2010) – America

Education

American University of Beirut
Faculty of Science / Department of Physics
Country: Lebanon
Studied physics at the American University of Beirut

Awards

International Prize for Arabic Fiction
2012
Work: The Druze of Belgrade
Organization: International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF)
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Journey of the Granadian

2002 Novel

A historical novel set around medieval Granada, exploring memory, movement and identity.

memoryhistorymigration
Translations
  • German translation: Die Reise des Granadiners

Byretus, Underground City

2005 Novel

A novel depicting an imagined underground city, combining themes of urban memory and multiple perspectives.

citymemorycommunity
Translations
  • French translation (published by Gallimard)

America

2009 Novel

An allegorical story concerning America, migration and belonging; the novel was an inspiration for the film 'Amreeka'.

migrationalienationbelonging
Adaptations
  • [Film] Amreeka / Cherien Dabis (2009)

The Druze of Belgrade

2010 Novel

A narrative interweaving history and personal biography, depicting the Druze community in Belgrade and themes of memory and loss through a woman's life.

memorycommunityhistory
Translations
  • Polish translation: Druzowie z Belgradu. Historia Hanny Jakuba
  • Spanish translation: Los drusos de Belgrado

Birds of the Holiday Inn

2011 Novel/Short stories

A collection of pieces revolving around a hotel, portraying contemporary solitude and human interactions.

lonelinessencountercity

Bibliography

  • 1992: Sayyid al-Atmah (Master of Darkness)
  • 1995: Shay Aswad (Black Tea)
  • 1996: Al-Bayt al-Akhir (The Last House)
  • 1996: Al-Farasha al-Zarqa (The Blue Moth)
  • 1997: Ralf Rizqallah fi al-Mir'at (Ralph Rizqallah in the Looking-Glass)
  • 1997: Kuntu Amiran (I Was a Prince)
  • 1998: Nazra Akhira ala Kin Say (A Last Look at Kin Say)
  • 1999: Yusuf al-Inglizi (Yusuf the Englishman)
  • 2002: Rahlat al-Gharnati (The Journey of the Granadian)
  • 2003: Bayrut Madinat al-'Alam: Part One (Beirut City of the World)
  • 2005: Byretus Madinat Taht al-Ard (Byretus: Underground City)
  • 2005: Bayrut Madinat al-'Alam: Part Two (Beirut City of the World)
  • 2006: Takrir Mehlis (The Mehlis Report)
  • 2007: Bayrut Madinat al-'Alam: Part Three (Beirut City of the World)
  • 2008: Al-I'tirafat (Confessions)
  • 2009: America
  • 2010: The Druze of Belgrade
  • 2011: Birds of the Holiday Inn

Adaptations

  • Film 'Amreeka' inspired by the novel America

Translations of Works

  • The Journey of the Granadian → German (Die Reise des Granadiners)
  • Byretus, Underground City → French (Gallimard)
  • The Druze of Belgrade → Polish, Spanish

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Interweaving history and fictionMetaphorical and poetic proseMulti-perspective narrative structure
Recurring Motifs
MemoryThe city (especially Beirut)Movement and diaspora

Legacy

Rabee Jaber is one of Lebanon's leading contemporary writers, internationally recognized for works that weave history and personal narratives. He won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2012 and has been translated into multiple languages.

Trivia

  • His works have been translated into French, German, Spanish and Polish.
  • The novel 'America' served as an inspiration for the film 'Amreeka'.