The Handsome Jew
Ali al-Muqri
This historical novel tells the story of two teenagers from opposing religious backgrounds who meet and fall in love against a backdrop of Yemeni culture. The story begins in a local village when the daughter of the Imam teaches a local Jewish boy to read and write Arabic. When they decide to run away to the capital in order to be together, neither foresees the long-lasting consequences of their decision.
Nomination
2011 Longlist
Ali al-Muqri
Country of origin Yemen
About the author
Ali al-Muqri is a Yemeni writer born in 1966. He has worked in cultural journalism since 1985. He has published eight books including Black Taste, Black Odour which was longlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2009. Some of his works have been translated into English, German, French and Spanish. He has participated in several literary Arabic and international festivals. His latest novel, The Handsome Jew, has been longlisted for the 2011 Prize.