ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The…: is this $6.5 stack worth it for Writing & Publishing?
Ibn Arabi, Mahfouz, and a playlist: what $6.5 buys in ArabLit’s “The Eye” issue
If you are tired of reading the same Arabic short story in one safe, flattened English voice, this issue is a breath of fresh air. It is not a productivity template or a business system; it is a 56-page literary artifact that treats translation as an act of creative re-seeing. At $6.50, you get a curated stack of fiction, poetry, and critical essays that approach the human eye from angles ranging from the metaphysical to the musical. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
This is the kind of purchase that does not save you time on a spreadsheet. It expands your range. If you write, teach, or simply love the texture of translated literature, ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye is a dense, high-signal read that rewards close attention.
Quick answer
| Best for | Readers and writers who want a curated anthology of Arabic literature with a specific thematic focus and experimental translation approaches. |
| Skip if | You are looking for a business template, a productivity system, or a practical guide on how to launch a digital product. |
| Price | $6.50 |
| Format | 56-page PDF (98.4 MB) |
| One-line take | A literary quarterly that uses the theme of the “eye” to explore vision, gaze, and translation through diverse Arabic voices. |
What you’re actually buying
You are not buying a generic “writing pack.” You are buying a specific editorial argument: that the eye is a lens for understanding identity, memory, and the limits of language. The issue opens with a translational conversation on poetry by Ibn Arabi, featuring work by Yasmine Seale and Robin Moger. This is not just a reprint; it is a dialogue where multiple translations of the same text offer different ways of seeing the original. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
The fiction section is where the issue really lands. You get Ameer Hamad’s “Suad’s Eyes,” a story that focuses on the hypnotic physicality of the human eye, and Tareq Emam’s “One-Eyed Woman,” translated by Katherine Van de Vate. These are not filler pieces; they are substantial short stories that explore the magic and the weight of the gaze. There is also Rami Tawil’s “Eyes Shut,” a narrative about a protagonist who moves through the world with closed eyes, translated by Nashwa Gowanlock. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
One of the most striking deliverables is the inclusion of Haytham al-Wardany’s Book of Sleep. Robin Moger translates an eye-oriented section into English text, while Maha ElNabawy translates the same section into a musical playlist. This dual format is rare in digital literary products. It forces you to engage with the text not just visually, but aurally. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
The issue also includes Naguib Mahfouz’s “The Man in the Picture,” a story that reads like a sideways, inside-out version of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Translated by Karim Zidan, this piece appears in English here for the first time. That alone is a compelling reason to open the PDF. You are getting a first-time English translation of a classic author’s work, packaged alongside contemporary voices and critical essays on beauty and debt by May Hawass. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
Why it’s on our radar
This issue is interesting because it refuses to treat translation as a neutral transfer of meaning. Instead, it presents translation as a creative act that reshapes the source material. The juxtaposition of a 1980s children’s book about the evil eye, discovered in Qatar, with a letter to the late Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, shows the breadth of the editorial eye. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
The price point is also notable. For $6.50, you are getting a 56-page issue that includes visual translations, a “Judge a Book by Its Cover” column by Hadeel Eltayeb, and selections from Melissa Chalhoub’s Badly Translated Arabic Songs. This is not a thin pamphlet. It is a substantial literary object that offers more depth than many paid newsletters or short-form content packs. The specific focus on the “eye” gives the issue a cohesive spine that ties together disparate forms, from poetry to fiction to critical theory. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
What actually matters
Before you buy, consider what you are looking for in a literary PDF. If you want a quick skim, this might feel dense. The issue is designed for close reading. The 98.4 MB file size suggests a rich visual layout, likely including the visual translations mentioned in the description. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
Check if you are interested in the specific authors. The issue features a mix of classic and contemporary voices, including Naguib Mahfouz, Tareq Emam, and Ameer Hamad. If you are already familiar with these writers, you are getting new translations and new contexts. If you are new to Arabic literature, this is a strong entry point because of the curated thematic focus. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
Also, note the format. It is a PDF, not an interactive app or a Notion database. You are buying a document to read, not a tool to use. The “musical playlist” translation of Book of Sleep is a unique feature, but it is part of the literary experience, not a functional audio file you can stream separately in the way a typical digital product might offer. It is a conceptual translation, presented within the PDF. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
Mid-check
If you are on the fence about whether a literary quarterly fits your current reading list, check the latest offerings from the publisher to see if the thematic focus appeals to you. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
FAQ
Is this a productivity tool or a business template?
No. This is a literary anthology. It does not contain spreadsheets, Notion templates, or business frameworks. It is a 56-page PDF of translated Arabic fiction, poetry, and essays. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
What is the “eye” theme about?
The issue uses the eye as a central metaphor to explore vision, the gaze, identity, and the limits of translation. Stories like “Eyes Shut” and “One-Eyed Woman” use the physical eye to explore psychological and metaphysical states. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
Is the Naguib Mahfouz story a new translation?
Yes. The description notes that “The Man in the Picture” is translated by Karim Zidan and appears in English here for the first time. This makes it a valuable addition for readers who want to access Mahfouz’s work in fresh English versions. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
How long is the issue?
The PDF is 56 pages long. Given the density of the content, including multiple short stories, poetry, and critical essays, it is a substantial read that will likely take several hours to complete. (ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye)
Bottom line
If you want a sharp, curated entry point into contemporary Arabic literature that challenges standard translation practices, ArabLit Quarterly Fall/Winter 2019: The Eye is a strong buy. It is specific, thoughtful, and offers a rare mix of classic and modern voices. For $6.50, you get a literary object that is more than just a collection of stories; it is an argument about how we see and how we translate.