Street of Affections
Abdullah Bin Bakheet
In Street of Affections (Dar Al-Saqi, Beirut, 2009), Abdullah Bin Bakheet tells the story of three ruined lives from within Saudi Arabia’s hidden history. The storyline focuses on: Naser, a teenage boy who is violated by the men of Affections Street and who later, in his madness, murders anybody who married his beloved cousin; of Shanghafa; the disabled slave who in freedom finds himself enslaved by an inner prison and whose quarrelsome, drunken ways ultimately lead to his execution and lastly the story of Sa'd, the son of a poor family, who becomes enamoured of a prostitute on the mysterious Pearl Island. In a language filled with local colour and the experience of deprivation, Abdullah Bin Bakheet gives to the marginalised a voice with which to express their tragedies.
Nomination
2010 Longlist
Abdullah Bin Bakheet
Country of origin Saudi Arabia
About the author
Abdullah Bin Bakheet is a Saudi novelist, born in Riyadh in 1952. He graduated from the King Saud University in 1978 before working as a journalist for al-Yamama magazine and editing the literary section of al-Riyadh newspaper. He has also translated a number of literary works and written studies on the Arabic novel, as well writing for television. He currently writes a column for al-Riyadh newspaper and is an active campaigner for women's rights, respect for minorities and the easing of religious tensions.