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Edition 7 (2012) Winner
Roger Allen
ロジャー・アレン
Roger Allen
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Nationality
- British
- Languages
- English
Career
- Occupations
- Translator, Scholar of Arabic literature, Professor
- Active Years
- 1968-
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania
- Influenced By
- Arabic literary tradition
- Influenced
- Scholars and translators of Arabic literature in the English-speaking world
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
God's World
1973 Novel (translation)A work by Naguib Mahfouz translated into English, presenting stories that explore social and personal relations in Egypt.
societyindividual conflictEgyptian culture
Autumn Quail
1985 Novel (translation)Translation of a novel by Naguib Mahfouz dealing with personal and political transformations.
transformationpoliticspersonal history
Mirrors
1977 Novel (translation)An English translation of a Mahfouz novel exploring social contrasts and self-awareness.
self-awarenesssocial contrast
Karnak Café
2007 Novel (translation)A translation of a novel set in a café that serves as a microcosm of Egyptian society.
societyhuman relationspublic space
Khan al-Khalili
2008 Novel (translation)An English translation of a story set in Cairo's famous district, dealing with city and memory.
urban lifememoryculture
One Hour Left
2010 Short story (translation)A translated short story focusing on themes of time and loss.
timeloss
The Ship
Novel (translation)An English translation (co-translated) of a work by Jabra Ibrahim Jabra.
journeymemory
Dunyazad
Novel (translation)Translation of a work by Mayy Telmissany depicting women's experiences in the Middle East.
womenidentity
In the Eye of the Beholder
Short story (translation)Translations of short stories by authors such as Yusuf Idris.
perspectivesocial observation
Bibliography
- The Arabic Novel: an historical and critical introduction (1st ed. 1982)
- The Arabic Literary Heritage (1998) / An Introduction to Arabic Literature (abridged)
- The Cambridge History of Arabic Literature: The Post-Classical Period (ed., 2006)
Translations of Works
- English translations of works by Naguib Mahfouz (various)
- English translations of works by Jabra Ibrahim Jabra
- English translations of works by Mayy Telmissany
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- scholarly and expository stylefaithful translation with annotations
- Recurring Motifs
- bridging culturescity and memorysociety vs. individual
Legacy
Roger Allen is a key figure in introducing Arabic literature to the English-speaking world; his translations helped bring Naguib Mahfouz to international attention. His textbooks are regarded as standard references in the field, and he was honored with a festschrift by former students.
Academic Societies
- Middle East Studies Association (related organizations)
Archives
- University of Pennsylvania archives (related materials)
Trivia
- Active as a scholar and translator of Arabic literature since 1968.
- Translated numerous works by Naguib Mahfouz and played a role in the nomination process that contributed to Mahfouz's 1988 Nobel Prize in Literature.
- Was a founding director of the Huntsman Program at the University of Pennsylvania (with Jamshed Ghandi).
- Former students prepared a three-part festschrift in his honor (2008–2009).