Abdelouahab Aissaoui (born 1985) is an Algerian writer. He was born in Djelfa and studied engineering at Zayan Ashour University. He has written a series of novels, the most recent of which, The Spartan Court, won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) in 2020.[1][2][3]

Abdelouahab Aissaoui
BornMarch 1985
Notable awardsInternational Prize for Arabic Fiction 2020

He was born in Djelfa, Algeria, in 1985.[4] He studied there at the Zayan Ashour University, graduating with a degree in electromechanical engineering. He works as a maintenance engineer.[5]

He is the first Algerian to win the IPAF.[6] He also participated in the International Prize for Arabic Fiction Nadwa in 2016.[6]

Works edit

  • Jacob's Cinema (Algiers: Dar Vescera, 2012; winner of 2012 President of the Republic Prize)
  • Mountain of Death (Lebanon: Dar El Saqi, 2015; winner of the Assia Djebar Prize)
  • Circles and Doors (Kuwait: Dar Suad Al Sabah and Algiers: Dar Mim, 2017; winner of the 2017 Kuwaiti Suad al-Sabah Novel Prize)
  • Testament of the Deeds of the Forgotten Ones (Qatar: Katara, 2018; winner of the 2017 Katara Prize for Arabic Novel in the unpublished novel category)
  • The Spartan Court (Algiers: Dar Mim, 2018; winner of the 2020 Arabic Booker Prize (IPAF))[7]

The Spartan Court has been described as "polyphonic," offering "a multilayered insight into the historical occupation of Algeria, and, from this, the conflicts of the entire Mediterranean region."[6] It is set in Algiers from 1815 to 1833.[8][6] Yasir Suleiman described the book as "captivating" and "a work to celebrate," with "intertwined narratives that keep the reader glued to its enchanting characters and their tortuous fortunes."[6]

Mountain of Death tells the story of Spanish communists imprisoned in North Africa following the Spanish civil war.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Abdelouahab Aissaoui | International Prize for Arabic Fiction". www.arabicfiction.org.
  2. ^ "Abdelouahab Aissaoui has won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction". April 14, 2020.
  3. ^ "2020 Shortlisted authors: What it means to be shortlisted | International Prize for Arabic Fiction". www.arabicfiction.org. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  4. ^ "Algerian author wins top Arab fiction prize for 'Spartan Court' | AW staff". AW. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  5. ^ "Banipal (UK) Magazine of Modern Arab Literature - Contributors - Abdelouahab Aissaoui". www.banipal.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Abdelouahab Aissaoui Wins 2020 International Prize for Arabic Fiction". Publishing Perspectives. 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  7. ^ "Abdelouahab Aissaoui — internationales literaturfestival berlin". www.literaturfestival.com. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  8. ^ "The Spartan Court | International Prize for Arabic Fiction". www.arabicfiction.org. Retrieved 2022-03-25.