I would like to read extensively Maghrebean novels (written in or translated to English) that can be considered as anti-colonial by showing a kind of resistance to the French colonial power & that endeavor to either show an identity crisis in this area or assert a particular identity.
That`s great help Michael; thank you very much; I really appreciate the comprehensive list of references you provided to me.
Please let me suggest my own translation to French from a Spanish book written in 1575-1580 and published in Spain in 1612: Topographie et Histoire Générale d'Alger, by the king of Algiers Antonio Manutius aka Hassan Pacha Veneziano and his Spanish slave Miguel de Cervantes. the 1870 French colonial version, apart from being illegal (not showing the royal publication license, more than a ISBN, a royal law), apart from being miserable as a translation, cut off entire chapters, the whole marginalias, a lot of details and even added things of his own. Dialogue des Marabouts (5th treaty and main entrance) plunge deep at the roots of Algeria, it's the first book in the world speaking of Kairouan, the forbidden Muslim school in Tunes and gives a resume of historic Muslim schools in Maghreb. And also present both Christian and Arab chronicles -both lost nowadays- for Simancas' battle (939), showing how Christian chronicle was modified in 1539 by Carlos Quinto, king of Spain aiming to form an Holy Ligue and go for a new crusade against North Africa corsairs. https://www.amazon.com/DIALOGUE-MARABOUTS-Miguel-Cervantes-Veneziano-ebook/dp/B0756YRQ89/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524671655&sr=8-1&keywords=Dialogue+des+Marabouts
- Cheikh Hamidou Kane's Ambiguous Adventure (Senegal). English translation available by Heinemann (African Writers Series, 1963). The protagonist, Samba Diallo is brought up along strictly Islamic lines and attends a traditional Qur'anic school. He moves to France to study philosophy, but finds himself estranged both from the soullessness civilization of France and the faith of his own people back in Senegal. Wonderful book, highly recommended, though not strictly Maghrebian. Might be useful, nevertheless.
Not purely Maghreb either, but African and describing quite well the post-colonial catalepsy, in an unusual flamboyant French language (translated to French by Raymond Queneau): L'ivrogne dans la brousse. A Jewel. Initially written in English by Amos Tutuola: The palm-wine drinkard.
Am working on the Sahara as a connective space, rather than an unbridgeable border, or void. Therefore, sub-Saharan literature should be seen as a legitimate source for the Maghreb and vice versa. Well worth reading The Palm Wine Drinkard in the original if you can find it - another excellent work. Have plenty here that might help - will get in touch asap
Fred Romano Gracias Fred! Am really so thankful for suggesting to me your valuable translation of Topographie et Histoire Générale d'Alger . It might help much in my research; You really gave a lot of inspiration to start a good research about decolonizing Mghrebean identity.
I am looking forward to having more cooperation in reasearch.
Best Regards,
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