In “Stories From the Center of the World: New Middle East Fiction,” 25 authors weave together unique tales that offer a nuanced and substantive portrayal of the region. Hedges and Elgrably explore a handful of the stories, delving into themes such as the struggles of working class immigrants, the challenges of adjusting to life in the Middle East after years in American society and more.
It hit me early in the interview, right in the gut, when Chris read the opening of the story by Hanif Kureishi and they went into the discussion of expat writers and alienation. And I thought — that’s the way I feel right now in this country, the US, wishing I were an expat but still living here. What I used to call my country doesn't really exist any more especially when I write these comments that are generally critical about the way its hubris causes it to mistreat the majority of its people; and the world at large. A quite sobering realization. Stranger in a strange land.
I hope you're right, but if it's evolution, it might need to be at a pretty steep pace because we're not exactly the planet's favorite at this point in time.
thank you very much, again, chris hedges, for inviting jordan elgrably who draws our attention to the fascinating voices of the global south - which too many people in the north unfortunately still CON_sider "the periphery" - when they are as much at the center of the earth as we are.
as a long-time translator of literature from the global south i am convinced that fiction very often provides better information on, insight into how "other" people live than history books do.
the question arose as to why decision makers in the north hardly ever, i.e. never, talk about the reasons why people flee their southern home countries to seek refuge in the north. if they did, they would immediately have to acknowledge that they, global northerners, have, for centuries, been creating hells on earth for people in the south: insatiable greed, exploitation, slavery, proxy wars, unfathomable arrogance, to name only a few of the factors that cause people to flee.
the next step, after acknowledging the mess we are making, would be to remedy it.
THAT requires our readiness to share fairly what's there: resources, decent livelihoods, justice, freedom, peace ... inconceivable.
It hit me early in the interview, right in the gut, when Chris read the opening of the story by Hanif Kureishi and they went into the discussion of expat writers and alienation. And I thought — that’s the way I feel right now in this country, the US, wishing I were an expat but still living here. What I used to call my country doesn't really exist any more especially when I write these comments that are generally critical about the way its hubris causes it to mistreat the majority of its people; and the world at large. A quite sobering realization. Stranger in a strange land.
Interesting. I, too, born in Texas and spent most of my life in California, also feel alien here. I think, this can't be my country.
It doesn't feel good, but it may well be a healthy thing that's evolving.
I hope you're right, but if it's evolution, it might need to be at a pretty steep pace because we're not exactly the planet's favorite at this point in time.
I am eager to read these stores. We learn about our sisters and brothers through their stories. Thank you for offering these insights.
thank you very much, again, chris hedges, for inviting jordan elgrably who draws our attention to the fascinating voices of the global south - which too many people in the north unfortunately still CON_sider "the periphery" - when they are as much at the center of the earth as we are.
as a long-time translator of literature from the global south i am convinced that fiction very often provides better information on, insight into how "other" people live than history books do.
the question arose as to why decision makers in the north hardly ever, i.e. never, talk about the reasons why people flee their southern home countries to seek refuge in the north. if they did, they would immediately have to acknowledge that they, global northerners, have, for centuries, been creating hells on earth for people in the south: insatiable greed, exploitation, slavery, proxy wars, unfathomable arrogance, to name only a few of the factors that cause people to flee.
the next step, after acknowledging the mess we are making, would be to remedy it.
THAT requires our readiness to share fairly what's there: resources, decent livelihoods, justice, freedom, peace ... inconceivable.
Fascinating. Thank you, Mr Hedges. I'm looking forward to exploring this work.