This Saudi Arabian author tackles sensitive themes of religion, politics, and sexuality, subjects often considered taboo in his homeland. His novels, frequently set against the volatile backdrop of the late 1960s and early 1970s, delve into the clash between scientific truth and religious freedom. Through his writing, he aims to provoke dialogue and challenge entrenched ideas. His distinctive exploration of societal tensions and the quest for identity offers a compelling literary experience.
The year is 1970, a period of crisis in the Arab world. Twenty-year-old Hisham has enrolled at university in Riyadh to study politics and economics. But this city has more than academic qualifications to offer a man of Hisham's mettle, and he soon discovers a strange underworld of alcohol and prostitution where fear, pleasure and politics merge.
In his tranquil middle-class neighbourhood, eighteen-year-old Hisham doesn't quite fit in. He's a philosopher who spends days reading banned books and developing political ideals. His Saudi Arabia is embroiled in conflict, torn between ancient tradition and newfound prosperity. This work offers a look at the roots of dissent in the Arab world. schovat popis