To find out the winner, go to www.banipal.co.uk on the evening of 14th March

My Tormentor by Bensalem Himmich

In this gripping novel, My Tormentor, whose narrative style is a blend of Kafka and One Thousand and One Nights, Himmich imagines an innocent man’s experience of extraordinary rendition in an American prison. During his captivity, the protagonist is subjected to interrogation and torture by both Arabs and foreigners and yet, against all odds, Himmich manages to find some hope in an otherwise desperate situation.

The Larvae Hunter by Amir Tag Elsir

The Larvae Hunter is the story of a former secret service agent who, having been forced to retire due to an accident, decides to write a novel about his experiences. He starts to visit a café frequented by intellectuals, only to find himself the subject of police scrutiny.

Brooklyn Heights by Miral al-Tahawy Through the eyes of the female narrator, Brooklyn Heights tells the story of New York’s Arab immigrants and those who live among them. By contrasting her experiences in her chosen home, America, and her homeland Egypt, she reveals the problematic relationship between East and West. It is a story of fundamentalism and tolerance, loss and hope in love. Simple yet full of rich detail, the novel evokes the atmosphere of America over the last decade.

BANIPAL 40 – LIBYAN FICTION 5