The quest for a lost identity

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Arabic fiction by Palestinian writers in Israel experienced a rebirth following the establishment of the State in 1948, a pivotal event that reshaped the region. In The Quest for a Lost Identity, Mahmud Ghanayim explores this creative evolution over the past fifty years. He provides a literary analysis of Palestinian literature's development and its challenges under martial law. By examining works from writers such as Hanna Ibrahim, Atallah Mansur, and Emile Habibi, Ghanayim highlights the role of ideologically-driven literary criticism in shaping the cultural revival of this national minority. He illustrates the emergence of a new Palestinian self-image, characterized by a desire to produce literature that is aesthetically inspired rather than politically constrained. Emile Habibi stands out as a key figure who sought to transcend local cultural norms to achieve artistic modernity, successfully appealing to diverse audiences, including the local Arab minority, Jewish readers, and the broader Arab world. Through this analysis, Ghanayim captures the complexities and aspirations of Palestinian literature in the context of its historical and cultural backdrop.