I prefer not to write about my personal miseries: other people’s miseries are so much tidier. But this misery is an exception, as it affects you. (Well, it affects regular ArabLit participants. If you turned up just today because you put “arabic sex” into a search engine, then you can disregard all that follows.)
Tomorrow, I will get on a plane and travel away from the Mother of the World, one of the world’s great centers of energy, creativity, warmth, and craziness. For financial and family-health reasons**, we will be staying out at the far edge of the map for at least a year.
Questions people have been asking me:
What about the blog? Will you keep doing the blog!? I certainly hope so. I am imagining this blog as the Ariadne’s thread that will keep me tied to the belly button of the Universe, will keep me from drifting into nothingness, and will eventually lead me safely back.
That’s very nice and hack-poetic of you. But how, when you’ll be at the edge of the map, far away from any sort of Arabic literary dialogue, will you keep churning out this stuff? I don’t know. I hope to rely more on correspondents like Mohga Hassib, Mona Elnamoury, Jennifer Sears, Nora Lester Murad, and others. (I haven’t asked most of them yet, but…how could they say no?) If you would like to pitch in, of course I want to hear from you. Perhaps we could even apply for some funding for you.
I also want to run more series-type things, a la the “10 rules.” This summer, I would like to start a “Why I Teach X” (where X is an Arabic book in translation not generally taught in UK and North American universities). More teaching-assistance materials. As Mona Zaki has suggested, a whole section for educators.
If you want to pitch in to help with any of that, let me know.
Can I have your stuff? …
Are you leaving because of Morsi/Shafik/Tantawi/fondue shortages/etc/etc? No.
Where should I send your review copies now? Very nice of you to ask. Please email me at mlynxqualey – at – gmail.com for an updated address.
*There are many people upset at my use of “exile.” All I can say is: Yes, I claim this word, I claim this as my home, and if you disagree, that is your right, too.
Categories: personal
Very sorry to hear you are leaving Misr al-Mahrusa for a year. If I myself am able to return there (and soon), I was hoping you would be there. In any case, I hope you are well, that you can continue your important blog as always, and that you return safely to Egypt as soon as you can.
Oh dear, the world never stays still!
With very best wishes for the future.
Wishing you the best with your big move. Of course I’ll help in any way I can!
Thanks, Nora! I’m sure I’ll lean on you for something.
very sad news! hope the family-health situation gets better; that’s the most important. I don’t teach Arabic lit. but if I can be of any use, let me know. I would really like to keep reading you! all the best for you, your blog, and your family!
G, I’m certainly going to take you up on that.
Marcia, it’s impossible to measure how much you have done to support Arabic literature in translation. I’m sure you’ll find ways to keep doing it. For now, thankyou!
Thanks, ya Andy.
The internet does miracles these days ya Marcia.. You can be here and not here and still be actively involved. Egypt has an energy that only those who submit to it, respect it and appreciate it, can be part of it.
I’m still expecting that ‘ting’ every morning around 6, that tells me a new e-mail is in my inbox!!
You are not in exile, you are just preparing for round 3!!
Have a good year, marcia, and don’t worry about us, we are with you wherever you are based. lot of kisses to the kids (big change for them, too). hugs
Wow this is some news Marcia!! I just assumed you’d always be in Cairo and it had kinda become my comfort zone…anytime someone mentioned Arabic Literature in English and I was like check with ‘Marcia’! But where there is a will there is ‘internet, skype, twitter..’
Hope everyone and everything will be well Inshallah. You know that you can always rely on ADIBF and moi for any support that you may need…just let me know!
Wishing you only the best for the future… We will be in touch x
Wise words from Yasmine. Exile is a strong word.. and you’ve shown us through your contributors that one can blog from the four corners of the world, even from the depths of occupied Palestine, no matter what the circumstances and restrictions are. Think of this new chapter as a retreat, a respite.. a way to re-connect and energise. A year goes by in a heartbeat and before you know it you’ll be back and strong as ever. Be well.
Yes, I realize, and some people have emailed me that they don’t appreciate the use of “exile.” But it is what I mean, isA a temporary exile, though.
Ooooooohhhhh, bad & sad news….we touch wood for sure! I wish you all the very best, and wherever you are, pleaaaaase go on with the blogs. We need you. A lot. I guess I can’t help, but if only, let know.
Best best wishes!!
Exile is a strong word Marcia… safe trip and you’ll be back. Just make sure the children keep up on their Arabic! It’s sad though.
Yes, I realize that it has all sorts of overlaps and echoes. But it’s the word I wanted. Top priority is the kids’ Arabic, definitely.
Sorry to hear that you will be leaving Egypt (even if it’s just for a while inshalla!). Hope all goes well and that the family situation gets better soon InA. Keep us updated and the exiled reader/reviewer could make for some interesting blogging so don’t despair just yet!
Arwa X
You have no idea how much I look forward to arablit first thing each morning!!!!! Yesterday after your post I started reading Dreaming of Baghdad by Haifa Zangana, which had been on the bottom of one of my book piles — I guess because it has a rather boring pale blue cover —it is certainly not boring.
I do have a bit of a backlog and several big long ones and really can’t afford shocking amount of books you make me buy. NY remains nearly dry –even Pen was light beyond Khoury. NYU/Alwan had a nice 2 day Manto event — off your beat, but suspect you probably know of him.
I wish you and your family all the best — and please come back ASAP.
Best, Ann
very sad news! hope you and your family gets better that’s the most important.. …. all the best for you, your blog, and your family!
Well I am very sad to hear you are leavng Egypt to share the same exile I am living too and for the same reasons why. Yalla good luck Marcia, to you and your family and I’ll keep on reading you every day… once Egypt enters your blood it’s done… no way out
b
Yes, I think so. There is no way to escape it now. Egypt is me.
i <3 this so much. i really do. my head is filled with movie quotes, random city names replaced with "cairo"
I’ve read your blog ever since discovering it and find it to be such a wealth of information for me who is to learning about the Arab world through Arab literature. I sincerely hope that you will be able to continue this. I would offer to volunteer but don’t know what I can do. Let me know and I’ll do my best.
Kate
Travel well! I do like the word “exile” & have it tattooed as h.j.r. on my arm, given that it is also the title of a book of poems of mine. Have been a reader of yr blog ever since I discovered it, & have on occasion reposted on my “Nomadics” blog. I do hope that “Arabic Literature (in English)” keeps up the great work it is doing.
InshaAllah, things get better for you and your family. You will be in my thoughts, and I hope you will be able to return home at some point in the future. I don’t think you need to justify whether Egypt is or is not your home to us, I think it comes across in this blog.
I don’t comment very often but I will keep reading as long as you keep posting.
Im very sorry to hear this. I’ve learned SO MUCH from your blog and found so many wonderful writers. I will stay in touch. I can definitely offer my help and suggestions based on the work I’ve done teaching Middle East literature here in Massachusetts for the last six years. This year I made packets of poems and stories from different Middle Eastern writers. The Middle Eastern writers such as Tamer and El-Murr ( Dubai Tales trans by Peter Clark), and Gulf writers from the fabulous anthology Oranges In The Suln (Lynn Reiner Books) have an astonishing and consistent abilty to write very short stories ( three to six pages) of a very high quality and very varied content. My students ADORED Zakaria Tamer’s The Hedgehog And Other Stories, and also Samir Al Qasims poems Sadder Than Water.
Past favorites include The Epic of Gilgamesh (mostly boys love this), Woman of Sand and Myrhh (Al-Shaykh), Kema’s Mehmed My Hawk, Rumi’s poetry, and Woman At Point Zereo ( especiallly for kids who hate to read). The top kids try Darwish and , like many, are astonished. Some of my artistic minde students have done some fabulous paintings inspired by Darwish’s poetry ( and also, by the Arabian Nights;, another book choice). Im thinking of adding as a core book Mahfouz’s The Journey of Ibn (I forgot the name!!!! dammit) or one of his very underrated short story collections.
Hope this helps, Please keep in touch and be well. Best.
Good luck Marcia, to you and the family…..you’ll still get news from this part of the scene.
I am intrigued – what’s is at the far edge of the map?
Justine, I just arrived here in the “New World,” or the “most recently re-created/re-cultured” world at the edge of the map. I suppose I could get further if I went up to Alaska, although not much.
Dear Marcia, this post really saddened me! I got used to reading yr blog, first thing in the morning as i turned on my mobile phone! No need to say how much you have inspired me in opening my own blog…but I’m sure you will continue your work even from your “exile”.
Good luck to you and your family, hope everything will be solved soon and you’ll be back to Egypt . If there’s anything I can do, i’ll be very glad to help.
Hugs from Italy, Chiara
So we’re not gonna get a live chance of chatting about the IPAF… Oh well, next year ?
Fred.
isA. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, although at the moment I want to tear my hair out and run all the way back to Cairo this secod…
Dear Marcia,
I have come to read your blog post each morning (here in San Francisco) before I even open our just arrived issue of The New York Times. I already have you penciled in as a panel member for when our project comes to AUC in 2014. If your wanderings take you to this coast please email me. I am a friend in waiting. Be well, be safe, and keep reading with all of us in mind!!
All my best,
Beau
Thanks to you all. Just wanted to note that after a cancelled flight, being re-routed to Amsterdam, an overbooked flight (from which we were bumped), a night in Amsterdam, and a failed engine … I am here. Or “there,” rather.
Sorry you are leaving, but I am really grateful for all you have already taught me. I look forward to what you are planning, especially more on Arabic language writing that is available to those of us who can’t read the languages.
Marcia,
I have only seen this now, though I have not stopped emailing with you ever since. I alreasy expressed my desire to have the honor to participate in Arablit before reading this touching piece. I know you are coming back home soon and I know that this will be your year of creativity. You need this sharp pain to open the door for the inner flood to overwhelm you and shapt itself into writing. I know that. I just do.
As for the exile, it is just the right word. In fact it is the way i think of you these days: a sensitive soul on the border of two cultures. You are like the anthropologist who digs deep into another culture, becomes one of them and then finds it hard to go back.( this figure is a favourtie of Le Guin!!!)
Thanks for being who you are. I am personally indebted to you, far more than you can imagine. and I will post something about this. Stay well. Stay strong.
I very much hope that we’ll continue to hear from you. I am a writer with an amateur’s interest in Arabic literature going back many years and I enjoy reading your posts. Also, since I tweet on a wide range of literary topics I often tweet links to your blog. Best of luck with the things that are taking you away and I wish you a safe return.
Nas Hedron
I know you will find a way to do what you do from wherever you are, stay in touch, and make the most of this year.
Not nearly close enough to the end of the world! I’m in Sydney, Australia, otherwise known as “the Antipodes” or the “arse end of the universe” – at least your plane flight home is shorter than mine!
Marcia, I just read this now!! I hope you’ll be back in no time. You will be missed : )
Zeinab, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I bought some molokheya yesterday, but it didn’t help. Has a year passed yet?