Abd al-Rahman Munif
Abd al-Rahman Munif was a Saudi Arabian novelist known for his works that delve into the social, political, and economic repercussions of the oil boom in the Arab Gulf states. He was born on May 29, 1933, in Amman, Jordan, to a Saudi father and an Iraqi mother. Munif's best-known work is the quintet 'Cities of Salt,' which is a critique of the rapid changes in the Gulf society. Trained as a lawyer and an economist, his literature often reflects his deep understanding of the region's socio-economic dynamics. He passed away on January 24, 2004.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
-
1. Cities Of Salt
The book is a sweeping narrative set in an unnamed Gulf country in the 1930s, chronicling the seismic cultural and social shifts that occur when oil is discovered in a traditional desert community. As American oil companies arrive and begin exploitation, the story unfolds through the eyes of the region's inhabitants, whose lives are irrevocably changed. The novel explores themes of colonialism, environmental destruction, and the clash between modernity and tradition, painting a vivid picture of a society in transition and the human cost of progress.
The 5372nd Greatest Book of All Time
