Come, Take a Gentle Stab - Selected Poems

Salim Barakat is a renowned Kurdish-Syrian writer whose poetry is now available in English for the first time. This collection showcases his mastery of the Arabic language, pushing its limits to create a figurative abstraction of struggle that reflects the deep currents of ancient Kurdish culture. Despite being marginalized by the cultural and political hegemony of Arabic, Barakat has managed to use the language to express his unique perspective and voice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

Although Salim Barakat is one of the most renowned and respected contemporary writers in Arabic letters, he remains virtually unknown in the English-speaking world. This first collection of his poetry in English, representing every stage of his career, remedies that startling omission.

Come, Take a Gentle Stab features selections from his most acclaimed works of poetry, including excerpts from his book-length poems, rendered into an English that captures the exultation of language for which he is famous.

A Kurdish-Syrian man, Barakat chose to write in Arabic, the language of cultural and political hegemony that has marginalized his people. Like Paul Celan, he mastered the language of the oppressor to such an extent that the course of the language itself has been compelled to bend to his will. Barakat pushes Arabic to a point just beyond its linguistic limits, stretching those limits. He resists coherence, but never destroys it, pulling back before the final blow. What results is a figurative abstraction of struggle, as alive as the struggle itself. And always beneath the surface of this roiling water, one can glimpse the deep currents of ancient Kurdish culture.

Barakat's poetry is a testament to the power of language to transcend boundaries and connect people across cultures. His use of figurative language and abstraction creates a sense of urgency and tension that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Through his poetry, Barakat invites his English-speaking readers to explore the rich tapestry of Kurdish culture and to recognize the struggles and triumphs of his people.

In conclusion, this collection of Salim Barakat's poetry in English is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature, Arabic culture, or the power of language to shape our world. Barakat's talent for pushing the boundaries of Arabic and his commitment to his Kurdish heritage make him a truly unique and inspiring writer.

Dimension: 9 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803091952