Most recent articles by Volker Kaminski
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Najat Abed Alsamad's "Kein Wasser stillt ihren Durst"Searching for life
Najat Abed Alsamad's award-winning novel, "La Ma'a Yarwiha", has been published in German translation as "Kein Wasser stillt ihren Durst" (No water quenches her thirst). In it, she tells the story of a young Druze woman who roundly rejects the traditional rules imposed on her by her parents and relatives and begins a long fight for her freedom
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Sherko Fatah's Great WishA daughter estranged
In his new novel "Der große Wunsch", award-winning author Sherko Fatah tells the story of a father whose daughter meets a supporter of IS and follows him to the Syrian war zone
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Ali Al-Kurdi's novel "Der Schamaya-Palast“A heavy burden
Palestinian author Ali Al-Kurdi fled to Syria with his family as a child. In his novel, he recounts the fate of the Palestinians who found shelter in the Jewish quarter of Damascus
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The refugee's struggle for identityHomeless with three homes
In "Heimatlos mit drei Heimaten" – literally, 'homeless with three homes' – the historian and political scientist Aref Hajjaj illustrates his personal experiences from a life led between Palestine, Switzerland and Germany. Volker Kaminski read the book
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The last SyrianDreaming of freedom
In his debut novel – "Le dernier Syrien" – Syrian journalist and author Omar Youssef Souleimane looks back on the protest movement of 2011, a time when many in Syria hoped for societal change and democratic structures. Volker Kaminski read the German-language version of the book for Qantara.de
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Fawzi Boubia's "Mein West-Oestlicher Diwan"A tale of disappointed love
German-Moroccan philosopher and writer Fawzi Boubia has long acted as a mediator between East and West, building cultural bridges in multiple publications. His strongly autobiographical novel "Mein West-Oestlicher Diwan" takes a merciless look at Germany's political and cultural trends, while celebrating its cultural and intellectual past. By Volker Kaminski
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Mohsin Hamid's "The Last White Man"The (familiar) stranger in the mirror
In his latest novel, award-winning Pakistani-British author Mohsin Hamid asks what would happen if a white man woke up one morning to find he was dark-skinned. A masterfully written Kafkaesque parable about everyday racism and discrimination. Volker Kaminski read the book
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Sabah Sanhouri's "Paradise"The last resort
Sabah Sanhouri is a fresh, new literary voice from Sudan. Her novel "Paradise" revolves around an agency of the same name, an organisation that assists desperate people in ending their lives. By Volker Kaminski
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Kurdish author Bachtyar AliTackling the tornado of history
Bachtyar Ali sends the hero of his latest novel – "Mein Onkel den der Wind mitnahm" – literally flying. Jamshid is so thin after his years as a political prisoner that a gust of wind sweeps him through the bars of his prison cell and out to freedom. Volker Kaminski read the book
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Nathan Englander's "kaddish.com"Guilt and belated mourning rights
In Nathan Englander's novel "kaddish.com", a Jewish man is plagued by feelings of guilt and regret for disregarding the rules of the Kaddish (prayer for the dead) for his deceased father a decade before. A witty yet simultaneously melancholy novel for all readers, not just people of faith. By Volker Kaminski
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Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin’s "The Messiah of Darfur"A peacemaker in times of war
In his multi-layered novel, Sudanese author Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin tells the incredible story of a charismatic "prophet" rallying followers in Darfur, a region devastated by bloody civil war. It is a moving tale of war and love, revenge and hope. Volker Kaminski read the book
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Jadd Hilal's debut novelWomen searching and yearning for home
In his debut novel, "Flügel in der Ferne" (Wings in the Distance), award-winning French author Jadd Hilal gives voice to four women from four different generations who tell the stories of their uprooted lives in Europe and the Middle East. By Volker Kaminski