outstanding

The Granada Trilogy by Radwa Ashour: A Tale of Loss, Identity, and Resistance

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  Radwa Ashour’s Granada Trilogy ( Thulāthiyyat Ghirnāḍa in Arabic) is one of the most profound and evocative works in contemporary Arabic literature. Published in the mid-1990s, the trilogy comprises three novels: Granada (1994), Mariam (1995), and The Departure (1995). Together, they tell the story of the aftermath of the Reconquista, when the Muslim population of Andalusia faced expulsion, forced conversions, and cultural erasure following the fall of Granada in 1492. Ashour masterfully intertwines historical events with the intimate lives of her characters, creating a poignant narrative about identity, resilience, and the power of memory. Radwa Ashour: A Brief Biography Radwa Ashour (1946–2014) was an Egyptian novelist, academic, and literary critic. Born in Cairo, she was known for her commitment to issues of social justice and her deep engagement with history and culture. Ashour studied English literature at Cairo University and later earned her Ph.D. in African-American...
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If Only She Would Read

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 If Only She Would Read

You! Oh, you who adorn yourself,
And perfume yourself.. and darken your eyes,
And color your cheeks, and twirl around,
With high heels and anklets,
Like a gazelle, you sway gracefully..

Oh, you who smile at mirrors,
And dance, until you tire,
Sit beside me for a while,
If only you could, just a little..
To read my verses.

She laughed.. and stretched out..
Like a cat.. and lounged..
And turned away from me with her hair,
Like a handkerchief of jasmine,

Put, in your little bag,
Some poetry from me,
A short poem,
And plant in its flesh,
Your long nails..
And swim in its essence,
At dawn.. or in the afternoon.

Oh, you who make your face,
A captivating issue,
"The eye" for the eye,
"And the Kaf" for the kohl,
"And the Dhad" for the braid..
And glory to the red lipstick,
And the alphabet.. all of it.. for you,
Short dresses..

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