In the Presence of Absence

Synopsis

One of the most transcendent poets of his generation, Mahmoud Darwish composed this remarkable elegy at the apex of his creativity, with the full knowledge that his death was imminent. Thinking it might be his final work, he summoned all his poetic genius to create a luminous work that defies categorization.

In a stunning blend of prose and poetry, life and death, home and exile, Darwish looks back at his own existence, intertwined with that of his people. Through lyrical meditations on love, longing, Palestine, history, friendship, family, and the ongoing conversation between life and death, the poet bids himself and his readers a poignant farewell.

About the Author

Mahmoud Darwish (1941–2008) was one of the most celebrated and revered poets in the Arab world. Born in Palestine, he became a refugee at the age of seven and went on to publish more than thirty books, with his poetry translated into more than thirty-five languages.

Sinan Antoon is an Iraqi poet, novelist, and translator. He has translated several works by Darwish and is the author of The Baghdad Blues, I'jaam: An Iraqi Rhapsody, and The Pomegranate Alone. He is an associate professor of Arabic literature at New York University.

Publisher

Archipelago Books

Publication Date

November 4, 2011

Format

Paperback

Pages

200

Subjects

Poetry · Arabic Literature · Palestinian Literature · Prose Poetry

ISBN

9781935744016