1. Introduction: Why is Nawal El Saadawi Banned?
2. Author's Introduction
3. Diary of a Child Called Souad
4. Biographical Facts
5. Interview with Nawal El Saadawi
"Nawal El Saadawi is a writer and thinker of global significance; anything she writes is of relevance, not least of all in these times when stereotypes and soundbites determine much of the outsiders' perceptions of the Muslim world. Omnia Amin's skilful translation and editing of this early memoir of Nawal's adolescence puts us all in her debt. We are transported to a world where Nawal's earliest struggles were a hint of what was to come." (Dr. Peter Clark, writer, translator, and cultural consultant) "Like Egypt, her native land, Nawal El Saadawi is sui generis. She is a woman of stupendous genius and fighting spirit that we, Egyptians, may not see her like again. In Diary of a Child Called Souad, Nawal El Saadawi, who becomes more radical with age, guides us through her childhood memories with an athletic narrative that pulsates with life and the pursuit of freedom for women in Egypt and beyond." (Prof. Kamal Abdel-Malek, Professor of Arabic Literature, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE) "Nawal El Saadawi remains the essential voice of Arab feminism-a voice that patriarchy was never able to silence. While we come across so many veiled heads, faces, and minds, it is important to remember that Middle Eastern women like Nawal El Saadawi still exist in our time and that the beautiful tales of their plights deserve our full attention." (Dr. Annick Durand, Associate Professor of Modern Literature, Zayed University, UAE)
Nawal El Saadawi, a leading Egyptian feminist, has spent her life campaigning for freedom and justice despite being imprisoned and threatened with death. She is the author of over fifty books, translated into some twenty languages, and is the founder of the Arab Women Solidarity Association in Egypt.
Omnia Amin is Professor of English Literature at Zayed University in Dubai, UAE. She is an author and translator who works on the cutting edge concepts of quantum physics, the archetypes of mythology, the empowerment of women, and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
DIARY OF A CHILD CALLED SOUAD by NAWAL EL SAADAWI REVIEW 1. The manuscript is an edition and translation of a juvenile work of fiction by the distinguished Egyptian feminist, Dr Nawal El Saadawi. Dr Omnia Amin introduces the work, placing it the context of the life and thought of its author. An interview by Omnia Amin is produced. Dr El Saadawi wrote the work as a school exercise. It was dismissed by the teachers and was rediscovered by the author decades later. It is the fictionalised life of a girl growing up, questioning everything. 2. The work is original, Dr El Saadawi is a global figure, active in human rights and her early work explains and highlights her early development. 3. There is a growing body of memoirs from the Middle East that illuminate the personal and the social. Although a novella, there is clearly much of the young Nawal in the story of Souad. Although the narrative is in the third person, necessarily because she dies at the age of twelve, Souad is Nawal. 4. The central text is extremely readable. It will be an enduring work. I would make a few recommendations: 4.1 A bibliography of Dr El Saadawi's works available in English. Some relevant works are listed on page 13; translators of all should be given. 4.2 The interview is undated. Was it originally in Arabic or English? 4.2 Some proof reading suggestions - this is not comprehensive. for example, 4.2.1 Conversations are printed in italics. Would it be better if each speech was given a separate paragraph, as is the custom in fiction? This would make it easier to read. 4.2.2 consistency in capitalising He (for God); see page 62 for examples. 4.2.3 page 3, line 3: The dates do not make sense. Omnia Amin met her at a conference in 2002 when Dr El Saadawi was 71, not 76. 4.2.4 page 6, line 6: has for have. (The subject, influence, is singular.) 4.2.5, page 9, middle of the page: The Novel should be italicised. 4.2.6, page 15, line 4: from childhood, not since childhood. 4.2.7, page 20, line 4: For the sake of clarity I would put yet between not and comprehend. 4.2.8, page 36, para 3, last quotation from the mother. It does not run smoothly. 4.2.9, page 41, para 3, line 2. Capital A for Almighty. 4.2.10, page 51. Last sentence is awkward and needs rewriting. 4.2.11, first line. Screamed for screams. (The Arabic tense has come into the English.) 4.2.12, page 73, fifth from last bullet point: I would put for more than fifty years after efforts. (She was not campaigning for a fifty year limit on FGM. 4.2.13, page 73, last bullet point: Not totally clear, on second line, perhaps and should be replaced by a semicolon. 5. The editor/translator is unquestionably suitably qualified. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. Social and political history of Egypt. Arabic literature. Human rights. Feminine studies. 8. The work is unique and there are no fitting comparisons. Like Naguib Mahfouz, any sustained writing is worth publishing, for its own sake and for the light it throws on a major public figure. 9. I would recommend you publish it as it stands with minor revisions as indicated. Perhaps a professional in-house proof reader should go through the text again. I am happy to provide an endorsement.
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