|
Yahya Taher Abdullah: Egyptian Writer
"Ten years after the publication of 'The Mountain of Green Tea,' a collection of Yahya Taher Abdullah’s short stories translated by Denys Johnson-Davies, the AUC Press has released 'The Collar and the Bracelet,' a novella first published in Arabic in 1975 as 'al-Tawq wa-l-iswira'. This constitutes a long-awaited opportunity to shed light once again on one of Egypt’s most gifted writers.
"Yahya Taher Abdullah (1938-1981) was a prominent figure within the circle of writers known as the Generation of the Sixties. He was killed at the age of 43 with his wife in a car crash. The tragic accident brought an abrupt end to a promising literary career. Abdullah is survived by Asma, his only child. The famous Egyptian filmmaker, Atteyat Al Abnoudi, a close friend of the deceased couple, immediately took responsibility for Asma and brought her up as her own daughter.
"Yahya Taher Abdullah was born in the ancient village of Karnak near the tourist center of Luxor in southern Egypt. He moved to Cairo in 1964 at the age of twenty-six and quickly became known for the gripping public performances of his work. Abdullah had the rare ability to memorize his stories. He recited them by heart, at unforgettable literary gatherings in the 60s and 70s. He mesmerized the audience with his infectious charisma, his natural talent for acting which was augmented by a consuming passion for writing. These dazzling recitals attracted the attention of famous writers such as Yusuf Idris. [...]"
Source: Arab News (Saudi Arabia), April 24, 2008
Posted at: 2008-04-25
| 
