Memory in the Flesh
by Mosteghanemi, Ahlam
This prize-winning novel; the first to be written by an Algerian woman in Arabic, is set against Algeria’s struggle against foreign domination as well as its post-independence struggle with itself and the fate of revolutionary ideals in a post-revolutionary society. The story, spanning more than four decades of Algerian history, from the 1940s to the 1980s, revolves around a love affair between Khaled, the middle-aged militant, and Hayat, the writer and daughter of his friend, all brilliantly told through Khaled’s voice.
Review
“Mosteghanemi is remarkable in her ability to embody convincingly a male voice who constructs this extraordinary tale of passion.” – Ferial Ghazoul, Al-Ahram Weekly
About the Author
Ahlam Mosteghanemi received her B.A. in Arabic literature from the University of Algiers in 1973, and was awarded a doctorate in sociology from the Sorbonne in 1982. She is the author of two volumes of poetry and a second novel, Chaos of the Senses. Baria Ahmar is a Lebanese journalist and translator. Peter Clark is a translator and writer.