His Excellency the Minister
Hussein al-Wad
The novel tells the story of a Tunisian teacher who unexpectedly becomes a minister. He witnesses first-hand the widespread corruption in the country, eventually becoming embroiled in it himself. It is a richly humorous novel which successfully describes many aspects of human weakness.
Nomination
2013 Shortlist
Hussein al-Wad
Country of origin Tunisia
About the author
Hussein al-Wad is a university professor and researcher, born in 1948 in Moknine, Tunisia. He is the author of several books on classical and modern Arabic literature, notably his studies on Al-Ma'arri's The Epistle of Forgiveness, on Mutanabbi and aesthetic experience among the Arabs and on the poetic language of Abu Tamam. His previous novel, Scents of the City was published in 2010.