Khaled Khalifa, author of In praise of hatred (which was sold in France, Italy, Spain, UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark), has published a new book!

His latest novel, entitled “There are no knives in the kitchens of the city” was published by Dar el ain, in Egypt, in May 2013.

The 260 pages novel details life under the Asad regime, in the period spanning from the early 60’s, to 2005, and revolves around one family, and more specifically around the character of Sawsan, a young woman.

The pace of Khalifa’s novel is fast and steady. The carefully controlled rhythm creates and maintains a tangible tension throughout. The reader anxiously follows the destinies of the main characters, as the city seems to close in on them, shutting all the doors, suffocating them, and leaving them no choice but violence or exile. To this extent, this work is a beautiful account of the reasons behind the popular uprising of Syria, started in March 2011.

Read more on the novel here.

New to the list! Spring 2014.