Publication News

Thunderbird and Thunderbird: Book Two by Sonia Nimr (trans. Marcia Lynx Qualey) have been shortlisted for the 2023 Banipal Prize! 

 The Banipal Award is "an annual award, established by Banipal Magazine and the Banipal   Trust for Arab Literature, for published translations from Arabic of full–length works of imaginative and creative writing of literary merit and general interest. The winner is awarded £3,000. This year’s judges are Ros Schwartz (chair), Tony Calderbank, Sarah Enany and Barbara Schwepcke." 

This year's shortlist included the following: 

Bruce Fudge for a translation of The Turban and the Hat by Sonallah Ibrahim (Seagull Books)

Paula Haydar for a translation of The King of India by Jabbour Douaihy (Interlink Books)

Paula Haydar and Nadine Sinno for a translation of Firefly by Jabbour Douaihy (Seagull Books)

Sawad Hussain for a translation of What Have You Left Behind? by Bushra al–Maqtari (Fitzcarraldo Editions)

Luke Leafgren for a translation of Mister N by Najwa Barakat (And Other Stories)

M. Lynx Qualey for a translation of Thunderbird: Book One and Thunderbird: Book Two by Sonia Nimr (University of Texas Press)

Of this year's shortlist, the judges commented: "Their protagonists struggle against circumstances and systems that are overwhelming. Moments of kindness, joy, and serenity stand out against the grim backdrop. At once poignant, haunting and beautiful, the works reflect the current issues and events that Arab authors are addressing."

The winner will be announced in February 2024.