The International Prize for Arabic Fiction has given exposure to writers including 2010 finalist Mohamed Mansi Qandil. (Andrew Henderson / The National)
The International Prize for Arabic Fiction has given exposure to writers including 2010 finalist Mohamed Mansi Qandil. (Andrew Henderson / The National)
The International Prize for Arabic Fiction has given exposure to writers including 2010 finalist Mohamed Mansi Qandil. (Andrew Henderson / The National)
The International Prize for Arabic Fiction has given exposure to writers including 2010 finalist Mohamed Mansi Qandil. (Andrew Henderson / The National)

Found in translation


  • English
  • Arabic

Every author wants their work to be read by as many people as possible, which is why translations are so important. But translation is not just a means towards financial success, it’s a way to open up a whole new world to potential readers in far-flung places.

That's why the International Prize for Arabic Fiction is so important for regional writers and for the Arab world itself: the prize includes a translation of the winning work into English.

The long list for this year's competition, which is funded by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, has just been released, and it includes 16 diverse works from across the region. They tell stories that are not being heard in the outside world and some of them, including 2013's winner, The Bamboo Stalk by Kuwaiti author Saud Alsanousi, are quite challenging.

But it’s not all about the English version. These stories also add to the growing canon of Arabic literature. Those who lament that they have nothing new to read now have a longlist of suggestions.