After visiting Egypt and Lebanon, what is your impression about both countries , and about Arabic literature ? Did you read any Arabic novels, and if you did what are the novels you are celebrated more, also the novelists?
The visit to Egypt, in 1987, was fundamental for me to be able to write “The Alchemist”. It was then that I learned more about Islam and about the richness of this country but I learned that when talking to common people, who still keep the ancient knowledge of Egypt in their heart, although not in a conscious manner. I was deeply impressed by the sensibility I found there. As for the Arabic influence in the world literature, you have millennia of great writers and prose, so it will be unfair to single out one or two writers.
Today’s Question by Aart Hilal
Previous post: Quote of the Day
Next post: Reflections of the Warrior of the Light
Previous post: Quote of the Day
Next post: Reflections of the Warrior of the Light
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Arabic culture is a gift, that follows the wind through a desert. Oriental Arts know really how to make it dance. It is unconscious to a lot of people, even far from the sand.
Gratefully.
Arabic culture is a gift, that follows the wind through a desert. Oriental Arts know really how to make it dance. It is unconscious to a lot of people, even far from the sand.
Gratefully.
Have you been anywhere else in the ME?
I yet have to go and see Egypt.
I hope we can hop there when we are back in Europe.
Paulo, you said that visit to Egypt was fundamental for you to be able to write “The Alchemist. I have 2 questions:
1] Looking into the past, 20 years after the great success of the novel, what do you think you were not able to express in the book?
2] Do you still keep materials that you wrote but were not publicized in the final version of the book?
Thank you!