The Best 100 Arabic Books
This is one of the 759 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.
-
Al Wasmiya by Abdel-aziz Mishri
Set in the Arabian Peninsula, the story follows the life of a young Bedouin girl who navigates the complexities of tradition, family, and personal ambition. As she grows up in a rapidly changing society, she faces challenges that test her resilience and adaptability. The narrative delves into themes of cultural identity, the clash between modernity and tradition, and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity. Through her journey, the protagonist discovers her own path and redefines her place in a world that is both familiar and foreign.
The 17131st Greatest Book of All Time -
A Man From Bashmour by Salwa Bakr
Set in 8th-century Egypt during a period of political and religious turmoil, the story follows a young Coptic Christian named Khaled who is conscripted into the Abbasid army. As he navigates the complexities of loyalty, faith, and survival, Khaled becomes entangled in a rebellion against the oppressive regime. Through his journey, the narrative explores themes of identity, cultural conflict, and the struggle for justice, painting a vivid picture of a tumultuous historical era.
The 17131st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
The Fallen Knight Alights by Elias al-Diri
In a world where honor and valor are the highest virtues, a disgraced knight named Sir Alaric embarks on a perilous journey to reclaim his lost honor and redeem his tarnished name. Struggling with inner demons and haunted by past failures, Alaric encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. As he navigates treacherous landscapes and faces formidable foes, he uncovers a sinister plot that threatens the very fabric of the kingdom. Through trials of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice, Alaric must rise above his fallen status to become the hero his people desperately need.
The 17131st Greatest Book of All Time -
The Berries Of Murr by Mohamed Al Aroussi Al Matuie
In this evocative tale, the protagonist embarks on a journey through the lush, mysterious landscapes of Murr, a place where the natural world is imbued with both beauty and danger. As they seek the elusive and magical berries that are said to hold extraordinary powers, they encounter a series of challenges and revelations that test their resolve and reshape their understanding of the world. The narrative weaves together themes of discovery, resilience, and the profound connection between humans and nature, ultimately leading to a transformative experience that transcends the physical quest for the berries.
The 17131st Greatest Book of All Time -
Sound, Water And Fire by Abdulla Khalifa
The book explores the intricate interplay between natural elements and human emotions, weaving a narrative that delves into the depths of personal and collective experiences. Through a series of interconnected stories, it examines how sound, water, and fire symbolize various aspects of life, such as transformation, destruction, and renewal. The characters navigate their inner and outer worlds, finding meaning and connection in the elemental forces that shape their existence. The prose is poetic and evocative, capturing the essence of the human spirit in its quest for understanding and harmony.
The 17131st Greatest Book of All Time -
The Open Door by Latifa Zayyat
The novel explores the journey of a young Egyptian woman during the 1940s and 1950s, a period of political turmoil and social change in Egypt. As she comes of age, the protagonist grapples with the constraints of traditional societal expectations and her desire for personal and intellectual freedom. Her story intertwines with the broader narrative of her country's struggle against British colonialism and the quest for national identity, reflecting the broader themes of liberation and self-determination. Through her experiences, the book delves into issues of gender, politics, and the quest for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
The 5982nd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Cities Of Salt by Abd al-Rahman Munif
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 9248th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon
Arab Writers Union, 107 Books
This is an interesting and difficult one. Big thanks to arablit.org. Evidently it was created by the Arab Writer's Union. There's not many voter details and many of the books are not published in english. The original wikipedia page is offline but here's an old verison of it: https://web.archive.org/web/20100425013711/http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84_%D9%85%D8%A6%D8%A9_%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9
Who voted?
No contemporary source specifies a figure.
Akhbār al-Adab issue 426 (the list’s print source) is not digitised online, and its table of contents reproduced on Goodreads and other sites does not mention voters.
Later commentary (e.g., Al-Khalīj 23 Jan 2024) only says the list followed a “pan-Arab poll” of senior writers and critics, without giving totals.
alkhaleej.ae
I am going to assume it's more than 1. 10 seems like a conservative number. If anyone has any more additional information please let me know.
This list was originally published in 2010 and was added to this site almost 2 years ago.
This list has a weight of 1%. To learn more about what this means please visit the Rankings page.
Here is a list of what is decreasing the importance of this list:
- Voters: Voter Count
- List: Very hard to find any official information on the list
- List: only covers 1 specific large geographical region (Asia, Latin America, etc)
- Voters: are mostly from a single country/location
- Voters: Unknown Names
If you think this is incorrect please contact us.
- Number of Voters:
- 10
- Voter Count Unknown:
- No
- Voter Names Unknown:
- Yes
- High Quality Source:
- No
- Location Specific:
- Yes
- Category Specific:
- No