«My “inappropriate” stories, between Texas and Kuwait»
A translator from Arabic, a blogger and author, Randa Jarrar was born in Chicago in 1978 to a Palestinian father and Greek-Egyptian mother. When she was only two months old she moved to Kuwait with her family only to then flee to Egypt after the 1990 Iraqi invasion. From here they moved to America where she still lives today. Her life has been very similar to that of Nidali, the leading character in her first novel entitled The Map of Home. Described as one of the best first novels in recent years, in 2009 it won the Arab-American Book Award for best fiction. She is the only American author of Arab origin to have been a finalist at Beirut39, a Hay Festival project organised in cooperation with UNESCO and that selects the best 39 Arab authors under the age of 39. Interview by Elisa Pierandrei.
The Map of Home is set in Kuwait City, Alexandria and Texas. This suggests many themes, from a lack to roots to a for a home and belonging to many countries. What is the role played by each of these places in your writing?
I spent time growing up in each of these places. Kuwait is the place I was never allowed to visit again, so when I write about it, I infuse a lot of nostalgia in the scenes. Many say some of the scenes set there are almost idyllic. Alexandria is a place I felt most free as a child, because when I was there all I did was swim. So when I write about Alexandria, I tend to focus on the characters I remember from my childhood such as street vendors, swimmers, building supervisors and bicycle renters. Texas is the place I chose for myself when I was 20, so it represents the power I felt over my life, finally. When I write about it I am drawn to strong characters and settings.
Readers are likely to notice similarities between your biography and Nidali's fictional background. Has your father read the book, and what was his reaction? I'm thinking in particular of Baba's views (Nidali's father) of appropriate behaviour for young women.
The book, while similar to my own life story, is fiction. I would say that perhaps 25% of the book is based on real stories. My father has read the book and was very angry with it, and we are no longer speaking. I think he wanted me to choose my family or the ideal of the "proper" Arab woman over my writing, but I will always choose my writing first.
Recent Middle Eastern history acts as the backdrop for your book.
Yes. It would have been impossible to write this story without talking about the Iran-Iraq war, the first Gulf War, etc. It is a natural background to the region and its people. And I found it interesting to mirror the violence outside the house with the violence inside it.
To celebrate the Beirut UNESCO World Book Capital 2009, the Hay Festival has created Beirut39, a project to select and celebrate 39 of the best Arab writers under the age of 39. You are in the final shortlist of the 39 selected authors.
I am the only American writer to be included in the list, so I am doubly honoured. I am very much looking forward to seeing the other writers and talking to them about their books and their future works. Also, I have never been to Beirut, a city I have wanted to visit all my life! To me it represents the liberal and intellectual mix of people, coupled with a beautiful landscape.
Randa Jarrar is a novelist, short story writer, blogger (randajarrar.com) and translator (from Arabic). Which contemporary Arab writers would you suggest to curious readers?
I love Ahmed Al-Aidy's work, as well as Joumana Haddad's poetry.
What are you currently working on?
I have just finished a novel about a young mother and her son who performs miracles.
