Jokha Alharthi Is The First Arab Author To Win International Man Booker Prize

The first female Omani novelist to be translated into English has won one of literatures most prestigious prizes

"I am thrilled that a window has been opened to the rich Arabic culture," says Omani author Jokha Alharthi who is the first Arab author to win the International Man Booker prize

by Staff Reporter

Culture 22 May 2019

This is amazing news for Arab stories, Arab literature and Arab writers.

On Tuesday, Omani writer Jokha Alharthi became the first Arab to win the Man Booker International prize for her novel Celestial Bodies.

The International Man Booker is one of the most prestigious literature prizes and will put Jokha on the map as an important, influential novelist and shed more light on Arab fiction and translated works.

The International version of the prize celebrates fiction from around the world and the people who translate it. So it makes sense that the 50,000-pound prize will be divided equally between the Jokha and the translator US academic Professor Marilyn Booth, who teaches Arabic literature at Oxford University.

“I am thrilled that a window has been opened to the rich Arabic culture,” Jokha said to reporters after being awarded the prize in London.

International Man Booker Prize winners Omanu author Jokha Alharthi and translator US academic Professor Marilyn Booth

WATCH: International Man Booker Prize Judges talk about the brilliance of Celestial Bodies

Celestial Bodies is a family saga that follows the story of three sisters in Oman, the village of al-Awafi as society and cultural landscape changes and evolves.

The three sisters are Mayya, who marries a man after a massive heartbreak, Asma, who marries only because she feels that’s what she should do and Khawla who rejects any offer of marriage and emigrates to Canada.

Through the perspectives of the three women and their families we see how Oman evolves from a traditional, slave-owning society (slavery was only abolished in 1970) to redefining itself after the colonial era.

Jokha who studied classical Arabic poetry at Edinburgh University and now teaches at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, believes that literature is an important medium to bring light an understanding to complex history.

“It’s a sensitive subject and kind of a taboo,” Jokha also said.

“But I think literature is the best platform to discuss sensitive issues. And slavery is not exclusive to Oman – it’s part of human history.”

Jokha was shortlisted with five other authors: Juan Gabriel Vasquez from Colombia, Alia Trabucco Zeran from Chile, Annie Ernaux from France, Marion Poschmann from Germany and Olga Tokarczuk from Poland.

Jokha is also the author of two previous collections of short fiction, a children’s book and three novels in Arabic.

Have you read Celestial Bodies? Would you like to review it for The Arab Edition?

Send us a message here or on any of out social media platforms and we’ll make it happen!

Hello and Hala . . .
The Arab Edition is a space that belongs to all of us who want to own and change the narrative. It’s where bridges are built through stories and shared experiences. Do you want to be a bridge builder? Do you want to join in the conversation? Do have something to say? A story to share? We bet that you do.
If you’re a content maker of any kind (writer, artist, photographer, film maker, YouTuber, blogger) or simply someone with something to say, an opinion worth sharing or have a story you want to tell one of our editors or writers then we want to hear from you. Head over to About Us and find out what we are looking for then fill out the form in Contact Us.
Now is the time to celebrate and share our stories, history, traditions, successes and opinions no matter where we are from. The Arab Edition is waiting for you to help us build that bridge of stories.
Comment Policy:
The Arab Edition encourages discourse and discussions on all our articles. This is a space where you should feel free to express your thoughts and opinions in order to continue the conversation. However, discussions can get heated. While passion is great we encourage you to be kind to one another and be thoughtful of the words and terms you use when addressing each other.

Related Articles

The Arab National Flowers You Never knew existed
Why Are Shoes So Offensive In Arab Culture?
Who Were The Arab "Fathers" That Changed The World?

About The Arab Edition

The Arab Edition is an interactive online news portal covering arts, culture, fashion, lifestyle, food, fiction, creative non-fiction, social and humanitarian issues centered around Arabs living across the world.

Information

Material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or used in any other manner unless with written permission from The Arab Edition

© 2018 The Arab Edition. All Rights Reserved

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons