The Book of Khartoum: A City in Short Fiction

This is a very good introduction to Sudanese fiction, and short stories more specifically. It’s a good cross section of different Sudanese experiences and writing styles. Mostly, though, it has helped me to find different Sudanese authors in their original language, usually Arabic. I recommend it to anyone interested in Sudan or African literature

The books has interesting short stories that give some insights of culture and relationships, as well as past glories of the people of Sudan.

All good.

A great selection of tales pulled me out of my fast paced life, took me to Sudan (where I was born and raised) and back in few short hours. I hope to see more Sudanese tales specially short translated and shared with the world.

This is a worthwhile anthology of interesting short stories, some very familiar in form and others almost disturbingly innovative. There is a subsidiary question of whether Arabic literature is a more or less homogeneous whole, or whether the nation states largely imposed on the Arab world from outside each possess their own cultural specificities. Leaving this (important) question aside, this book is a jolly good read... only one tastes just enough of each author to whet one's appetite, but not quite enough to satisfy it.

A must for all who love Sudan!