Description
Book SynopsisWith What ?Isa ibn Hisham Told Us, the Library of Arabic Literature brings readers an acknowledged masterpiece of early twentieth-century Arabic prose. Penned by the Egyptian journalist Mu?ammad al-Muwayli?i, this exceptional title was first introduced in serialized form in his family's pioneering newspaper Mi?ba? al-Sharq (Light of the East), on which this edition is based, and later published in book form in 1907. Widely hailed for its erudition and its mordant wit, What ?Isa ibn Hisham Told Us was embraced by Egypt's burgeoning reading public and soon became required reading for generations of Egyptian school students.
Bridging classical genres and the emerging tradition of modern Arabic fiction, What ?Isa ibn Hisham Told Us is divided into two parts, the second of which was only added to the text with the fourth edition of 1927. Sarcastic in tone and critical in outlook, the book relates the excursions of its narrator ?Isa ibn Hisham
Trade Review
While illustrating his novel with local examples from that time, al-Muwaylihi's effective critique is as broad and relevant as much classical Western satire; surprisingly much of it feels very modern, the various arguments and examples easily imaginable in contemporary settings . . . A cohesive (and still very far-reaching) work that also offers a lot of entertainment value. It's an enjoyable read, with some great anecdotes and very funny scenes and a lot of interesting arguments. * The Complete Review *
[Allen's] craftsmanship is on full display in these magisterial translations . . . of supreme literary complexity. * Journal of Arabic Literature *
Has a compelling charm—humane, earnest, observant, and erudite. * Journal of the American Oriental Society *
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Mi?ba? al-sharq 80, November 9, 1899 2 Mi?ba? al-sharq 87, January 4, 1900 18 Mi?ba? al-sharq 88, January 11, 1900 34 Mi?ba? al-sharq 89, January 18, 1900 50 Mi?ba? al-sharq 90, January 25, 1900 68 Mi?ba? al-sharq 91, February 8, 1900 82 Mi?ba? al-sharq 92, February 15, 1900 96 Mi?ba? al-sharq 103, May 11, 1900 118 Mi?ba? al-sharq 104, May 18, 1900 136 Mi?ba? al-sharq 105, May 25, 1900 150 Mi?ba? al-sharq 106, June 1, 1900 162 Mi?ba? al-sharq 107, June 8, 1900 182 Mi?ba? al-sharq 116, August 17, 1900 192 Mi?ba? al-sharq 117, August 34, 1900 224 Mi?ba? al-sharq 118, August 31, 1900 242 Mi?ba? al-sharq 121, September 21, 1900 260 Mi?ba? al-sharq 123, October 5, 1900 272 Mi?ba? al-sharq 126, October 26, 1900 284 Mi?ba? al-sharq 130, November 23, 1900 298 Mi?ba? al-sharq 133, December 14, 1900 314 Mi?ba? al-sharq 192, February 14, 1902 330
