Arabian Romantic
Poems on Bedouin Life and Love
By ʿAbdallāh ibn Sbayyil, Annmarie Drury | Publisher: NYU Press
About the book
Scenes from Arabian life at the turn of the twentieth century
Arabian Romantic captures what it was like to live in central Arabia before the imposition of austere norms by the Wahhabi authorities in the early twentieth century: tales of robbery and hot pursuit; perilous desert crossings; scenes of exhaustion and chaos when water is raised from deep wells under harsh conditions; the distress of wounded and worn-out animals on the brink of perdition; once proud warriors who are at the mercy of their enemy on the field of battle. Such images lend poignancy to the suffering of the poet’s love-stricken heart, while also painting a vivid portrait of typical Bedouin life.
Ibn Sbayyil, a town dweller from the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula, was a key figure in the Nabaṭī poetic tradition. His poetry, which is still recited today, broke with the artifice of the preceding generation by combining inherited idiom and original touches reflecting his environment. Translated into English for the first time by Marcel Kurpershoek, Arabian Romantic will delight readers with a poetry that is direct, fluent, and expressive, and that has entertained Arabic speakers for over a century.
An English-only edition.
Editions of Arabian Romantic
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781479804405
Read an Excerpt
Scenes from Arabian life at the turn of the twentieth century
Arabian Romantic captures what it was like to live in central Arabia before the imposition of austere norms by the Wahhabi authorities in the early twentieth century: tales of robbery and hot pursuit; perilous desert crossings; scenes of exhaustion and chaos when water is raised from deep wells under harsh conditions; the distress of wounded and worn-out animals on the brink of perdition; once proud warriors who are at the mercy of their enemy on the field of battle. Such images lend poignancy to the suffering of the poet’s love-stricken heart, while also painting a vivid portrait of typical Bedouin life.
Ibn Sbayyil, a town dweller from the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula, was a key figure in the Nabaṭī poetic tradition. His poetry, which is still recited today, broke with the artifice of the preceding generation by combining inherited idiom and original touches reflecting his environment. Translated into English for the first time by Marcel Kurpershoek, Arabian Romantic will delight readers with a poetry that is direct, fluent, and expressive, and that has entertained Arabic speakers for over a century.
An English-only edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arabian Romantic about?
Scenes from Arabian life at the turn of the twentieth century
Arabian Romantic captures what it was like to live in central Arabia before the imposition of austere norms by the Wahhabi authorities in the early twentieth century: tales of robbery and hot pursuit; perilous desert crossings; scenes of exhaustion and chaos when water is raised from deep wells under harsh conditions; the distress of wounded and worn-out animals on the brink of perdition; once proud warriors who are at the mercy of their enemy on the field of battle. Such images lend poignancy to the suffering of the poet’s love-stricken heart, while also painting a vivid portrait of typical Bedouin life.
Ibn Sbayyil, a town dweller from the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula, was a key figure in the Nabaṭī poetic tradition. His poetry, which is still recited today, broke with the artifice of the preceding generation by combining inherited idiom and original touches reflecting his environment. Translated into English for the first time by Marcel Kurpershoek, Arabian Romantic will delight readers with a poetry that is direct, fluent, and expressive, and that has entertained Arabic speakers for over a century.
An English-only edition.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Arabian Romantic?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Poetry / Poems
Where can I read a sample of Arabian Romantic?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781479804405
How long is Arabian Romantic and how many pages does it have?
Arabian Romantic has 328 page(s)
Is Arabian Romantic part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Library of Arabic Literature
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Arabian Romantic?
ʿAbdallāh ibn Sbayyil, Annmarie Drury
Who is the Publisher of the book Arabian Romantic?
NYU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Arabian Romantic is available as paperback(ISBN 9781479804405)
Where can I buy Arabian Romantic online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Arabian Romantic from below
Where can I buy Arabian Romantic?