Essays in Arabic literary biography

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Essays in Arabic Literary Biography Vol. 1 (925–1350) is the first of three volumes that features 40 authors from a significant period in Arabic literary history. The tenth to twelfth centuries marked a time of remarkable growth in Arab Islamic culture, influencing the Mediterranean region from the Iberian Peninsula to the Sind River. During this era, the Islamic world integrated various influences and intellectuals began to respond creatively to their evolving environment, leading to innovations in literature and exploration of new themes. Edited by Terri DeYoung and Mary St. Germain, this volume includes essays on Hispano-Arab authors and those from various Arab East capitals, as well as writers in languages other than Arabic. It highlights new literary approaches inspired by religious sensibilities, featuring Shiite and Sufi voices alongside the dominant Sunni perspectives. Each essay is self-contained, starting with a complete list of the author's works and translations, followed by a detailed examination of their life and principal works. The essays conclude with a selected bibliography for further reference.