Imagining the past, present, and future of a contested West Bank territory, East Jerusalem Noir, edited by Rawya Jarjoura Burbara, showcases 13 original stories by writers who live within its occupied borders and possess pride in the rich cultural heritage of their beloved home. These remarkable pieces, translated from the Arabic by eight translators, are steeped in an authenticity that comes with experiencing firsthand the ruthless erosion of one's cherished freedoms.
Editor Rawya Jarjoura Barbara calls Jerusalem, referring to its multilayered, ancient history, "the city that has embraced so many prophets." This acclaimed author braces readers in the book's introduction for powerful fiction that radiates with the brutal reality of an occupation impacting every facet of residents' lives, including worshipping at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, traveling to work through choked checkpoints, and enduring random humiliating searches.
"In An Extraordinary City," written by Rahaf Al-Sa'ad and translated by Nancy Roberts, opens in the predawn hours at the very moment soldiers from the Israeli occupation army arrive at a car mechanic's home to demolish it. The High Court has ruled that his dwelling is too "near the wall" and, therefore, a threat to public security. When the soldiers blow it up, they destroy the life savings and dreams of the proud mechanic, Abu Muhammad, and his distraught wife and their frightened children.
This collection is part of an award-winning series of anthologies set in cities around the world. Despite the raw, often despairing subject matter, East Jerusalem Noir is an awe-inspiring work of fearless urban literary fiction offering readers intimate exposure to people and places they might otherwise never encounter. --Shahina Piyarali, reviewer