Incomprehensible Lesson

Fawzi Karim, Anthony Howell

ISBN 10: 1784104280 / ISBN 13: 9781784104283

Published by Carcanet Press Ltd, GB, 2019

About this Item

Shortlisted for the Sarah Maguire Prize 2021.Fawzi Karim's poetry has been widely translated, among other languages into French, Swedish, Italian and English. Carcanet published Plague Lands and Other Poems (2011), which was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. This new selection, translated by Anthony Howell working from the author's own versions, explores the experience of becoming at home in London, passing from a sense of exile to a sense of uneasy belonging. In his introduction the poet is tactful, candid, touching on some of the most urgent themes of our time including exile and the possibilities of home. Between the poet, a major literary presence in his language, and his translator, a poet of many talents and skills, a kind of dialogue exists. The accommodations between two traditions formally uneasy in one another's company is compelling to read. The poet's and the translator's contrasting memories meet and confer at the level of language and image.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781784104283

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Incomprehensible Lesson
• Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd, GB
• Publication Date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1784104280
• ISBN 13: 9781784104283
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

A poignant exploration of exile and belonging through the lens of contemporary poetry.

Fawzi Karim's Incomprehensible Lesson, in versions by Anthony Howell, delves into the complex experience of finding a sense of home in London after a life of exile. This collection explores themes of memory, identity, and transformation, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of cross-cultural dialogue. Karim's poems, translated with skill and sensitivity by Howell, create a compelling dialogue between two traditions, inviting readers to reflect on the meaning of home and the power of language.

This collection is perfect for readers of contemporary poetry, those interested in themes of exile and identity, and those familiar with Arabic literature.

• Explore the complexities of cultural identity and belonging.
• Connect with themes of loss, longing, and personal transformation.
• Appreciate the art of translation and cross-cultural dialogue.

Discover a powerful and moving collection that speaks to the universal human experience of seeking home in a changing world.

About the Author

Born in Baghdad in 1945 and now living in London, Fawzi Karim is rapidly establishing a reputation as a major figure in contemporary poetry.