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    Cities of Salt

    Part of Vintage International

    Author Abdelrahman Munif
    Look inside
    Paperback
    $19.95 US
    Knopf | Vintage
    On sale Jul 17, 1989 | 640 Pages | 9780394755267
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    Set in an unnamed Persian Gulf kingdom in the 1930s, this remarkable novel tells the story of the disruption and diaspora of a poor oasis community following the discovery of oil there. The meeting of Arabs and the Americans who, in essence, colonized the remote region is a cultural confrontation in which religion, history, superstition, and mutual incomprehension all play a part.

    This novel, the first volume in a trilogy, has been translated from the Arabic to English by Peter Theroux.


    “The only serious work of fiction that tries to show the effect of oil, Americans and the local oligarchy on a Gulf country.” —Edward W. Said

    “A powerful, untold story, done with humor, grace, and a resonant depth of feeling.”—Kirkus

    “Brings to life many of the political issues that have plagued the Mideast for most of this century. . . Munif writes from a unique vantage point: English-language readers have been given few opportunities before now to look at this situation through native eyes. . . . Theroux’s sensitive translation conveys ths subtleties of ambiguity and nuance inherent to the Arab language and culture.” —Publishers Weekly
    Abdul Rahman Munif was a Saudi novelist. His novels included strong political elements as well as mockeries of the Middle Eastern elite classes. His work so offended the rulers of Saudi Arabia that many of his books were banned and his Saudi citizenship revoked. His books included Cities of Salt, The Trench, and Variations on Night and Day. Munif died in 2004. View titles by Abdelrahman Munif
    "The only serious work of fiction that tries to show the effect of oil, Americans and the local oligarchy on a Gulf country."--Edward W. Said

    About

    Set in an unnamed Persian Gulf kingdom in the 1930s, this remarkable novel tells the story of the disruption and diaspora of a poor oasis community following the discovery of oil there. The meeting of Arabs and the Americans who, in essence, colonized the remote region is a cultural confrontation in which religion, history, superstition, and mutual incomprehension all play a part.

    This novel, the first volume in a trilogy, has been translated from the Arabic to English by Peter Theroux.


    “The only serious work of fiction that tries to show the effect of oil, Americans and the local oligarchy on a Gulf country.” —Edward W. Said

    “A powerful, untold story, done with humor, grace, and a resonant depth of feeling.”—Kirkus

    “Brings to life many of the political issues that have plagued the Mideast for most of this century. . . Munif writes from a unique vantage point: English-language readers have been given few opportunities before now to look at this situation through native eyes. . . . Theroux’s sensitive translation conveys ths subtleties of ambiguity and nuance inherent to the Arab language and culture.” —Publishers Weekly

    Author

    Abdul Rahman Munif was a Saudi novelist. His novels included strong political elements as well as mockeries of the Middle Eastern elite classes. His work so offended the rulers of Saudi Arabia that many of his books were banned and his Saudi citizenship revoked. His books included Cities of Salt, The Trench, and Variations on Night and Day. Munif died in 2004. View titles by Abdelrahman Munif

    Praise

    "The only serious work of fiction that tries to show the effect of oil, Americans and the local oligarchy on a Gulf country."--Edward W. Said

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