Saud Alsanousi
Saud Alsanousi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1981 Kuwait |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Notable works | The Bamboo Stalk |
| Notable awards | International Prize for Arabic Fiction (2013) |
Saud Alsanousi (Arabic: سعود السنعوسي, born 1981) is an acclaimed Kuwaiti novelist and journalist[1] who has firmly established himself as a prominent literary voice in the Arab world despite his relatively young age. His works offer profound reflections on Kuwait's society, culture and identity, with his novels - translated into more than 14 languages - earning him widespread recognition both regionally and internationally.
In 2010, Saud Alsanousi made his literary debut with The Prisoner of Mirrors, which won the Laila al-Othman Prize, an award recognizing promising emerging writers. He gained further recognition by winning first prize for his short story The Bonsai and the Old Man in the 'Stories on Air' competition organized by Al-Arabi magazine and BBC Arabic in 2011. In 2012, his novel The Bamboo Stalk[2][3] earned him the State of Kuwait Award for Literature, and in 2013, he became the youngest winner of the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction[4], commonly known as the “Arabic Booker”. In 2016, a Kuwaiti TV series based on the novel, titled "Saq Al Bamboo", was produced.[5][6][7] Alsanousi’s later works, Mama Hissa's Mice (2015), Pigeons of the House (2017), and Saleha's Camel (2019), were all shortlisted for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award. His latest novel, The Chronicles of the City of Mud (2023, 2024), is an epic historical fiction trilogy set in Kuwait, masterfully blending myths, beliefs, and narratives to depict Kuwaiti society and the lives of visionaries, pearl divers, merchants, and traders during a defining era in the nation’s history.
Through his novels, Saud Alsanousi uses his creative voice to delve into the complexities of Kuwaiti society, blending intelligent storytelling with efforts to preserve his country’s cultural heritage and resist the erosion of memory. His works provide a deep exploration of Kuwaiti life and social fabric, offering a window into the nation’s culture, history, and struggles as he attempts to mend both the past and the present of his beloved Kuwait.
Beyond his six novels, Saud Alsanousi has contributed to Kuwait's cultural scene as a writer-in-residence at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, where he adapted the celebrated Memoirs of a Sailor musical (2019) and wrote the play New Qibla (2020). His work has appeared in various publications, including Al-Watan newspaper and Al-Arabi, Al-Kuwait, and Al-Abwab magazines. He currently writes for Al Qabas newspaper.
Publications
[edit]- The Prisoner of Mirrors (2010)
- The Bonsai and The Old Man (2011)
- The Bamboo Stalk (2012)
- Mama Hessa's Mice (2015)
- Hamam Al Dar (Pigeons of the House) (2017)[8]
- Naqat Saleha (Saleha's Camel) (2019)
- The Chronicles of the City of Mud (Trilogy, 2023-2024)
References
[edit]- ^ "Saud Alsanousi". Arabic Fiction.
- ^ Qualey, M. Lynx (23 May 2015). "The Bamboo Stalk: rags-to-riches tale that holds a mirror to Kuwaiti society". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Moaveni, Azadeh (23 April 2015). "The Bamboo Stalk review – a daring tale of Kuwaiti identity". Financial Times. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Page-Turning Novel by Young Kuwaiti Author Wins 2013 Arabic Booker". ArabLit.
- ^ Khalaf, Hala (6 July 2016). "Saq Al Bamboo is a realistic and riveting social drama with a stellar cast". The National. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Hamad, Marwa (10 July 2016). "Wonho Chung talks challenges of *Saq Al Bamboo*". Gulf News. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Gabrillo, James (7 July 2016). "Focus on the Philippines: Mercedes Cabral shines in Kuwaiti soap filmed in Dubai". The National. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Saud Alsanousi on His Next Novel and Writing From the Perspective of a Woman". Vogue Arabia. 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
